2012 Ram 2500 Tire Size

Q: Can I fit winter tires in a different size on my 2012 Ram 2500?

Yes — the standard winter-tire fitment pattern is one width step narrower than OEM (e.g. 225 → 215) with the aspect ratio bumped up to preserve overall diameter. Narrower tires increase contact pressure on snow for better traction. The Compatible alternative sizes table includes any winter-friendly options that fall within ±3% OD for this vehicle.

Approved fitments

Tire size	Rim size	PCD (bolt pattern)	Offset	Load index	Speed rating
245/70R17 OEM	R17	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
245/70R17 OEM	7.5x17	N/A	57mm	116	S
265/70R17 OEM	8x17	N/A	42mm	118	S
275/70R18 OEM	8x18	N/A	57mm	118	T
255/65R19	8x19	N/A	50mm	112	T
285/60R20	8x20	N/A	55mm	115	T
265/70R17 OEM	R17	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
285/70R17 OEM	R17	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Best by use case

Four tires, four jobs

Best all-season

Pirelli

Scorpion all terrain plus

all-season touring, UTQG 600, 50,000-mi warranty

Best budget

Michelin

Defender LTX M/S

Lowest cost per mile in this size; UTQG 800

Best quiet

Cooper

Discoverer AT3 4S

73 dB cabin noise (EU label); quietest in this size

Compatible alternative sizes for 245/70R17

Sizes within the ETRTO ±3% overall-diameter safe-fit tolerance. Each row links to the size's own page.

Alternative size	%Δ OD	Category	Verdict
`225/65R19`	0.04%	plus 2	Safe
`265/60R18`	0.05%	plus 1	Safe
`265/55R19`	-0.09%	plus 2	Safe
`245/75R16`	-0.12%	alternative	Safe
`245/65R18`	0.12%	plus 1	Safe

For the full list of alternatives with comfort/handling impact, see 245/70R17 upsize options. To check an arbitrary size pair, use the tire compatibility calculator.

Check a different size against this vehicle

Type any tire size below; we'll compute its overall-diameter delta against the OEM 245/70R17 and verdict using the ETRTO ±3% rule.

Common upgrade paths

Plus-1: 265/60R18; one rim size up, 0.05% OD change. Sharper steering, mild ride penalty, modest cost premium.
Plus-2: 225/65R19; two rim sizes up, 0.04% OD change. Noticeable ride penalty, higher pothole risk, meaningful tire-cost premium.

Use the plus-size calculator to evaluate any rim step against the OEM size.

How to choose tires for the 2012 ram 2500

The 2012 Ram 2500 ships from the factory on 245/70R17 tires mounted on R17 wheels. 6 approved fitments are documented for this model year, allowing some flexibility between performance, comfort, and winter compounds. The Compatible alternative sizes table above lists every safe substitution within the ETRTO ±3% overall-diameter tolerance.

Tire choice on the Ram 2500 comes down to three trade-offs that matter more than brand loyalty: load index (must equal or exceed the OEM number), speed rating (must match or exceed the placard), and UTQG treadwear (higher means longer life, lower usually means stickier rubber). Owners replacing factory tires with the same compound class, for example all-season for all-season, generally see no change in ride characteristics or fuel economy. Switching categories (performance summer to all-season touring, for example) is where the trade-offs show up at the contact patch.

For 2012 Ram 2500 owners considering a plus-size upgrade, the safer option is a Plus-1 step (one rim size up with a 10-point aspect drop and ~10 mm of additional section width). Plus-2 is technically viable on this chassis if the alternative-sizes table lists a Plus-2 candidate within tolerance, but expect a meaningful ride-harshness penalty and a tire-cost premium of 30–60% per tire relative to the OEM fitment. For winter use the recommended pattern is one width step down (e.g. from a 235 to a 225) with the aspect ratio bumped up to preserve overall diameter; narrower tires apply higher contact pressure per square inch on snow, which translates directly into shorter braking distances. The plus-size calculator evaluates any specific rim step against this OEM size.

Before purchasing, verify the tire size on the driver-door placard of your specific 2012 Ram 2500, since trim levels and option packages can shift the original fitment from what is documented here. The placard reading is the authoritative source per FMVSS 110, and dealers will reference the placard rather than aftermarket catalogs when validating warranty claims.

NHTSA-reported issues for 2012 ram 2500

69

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Top issue category: Tires (General)

Most reported: Tires (General) (39) · TPMS (15) · Sidewall (6) · Tread / Belt (5) · Valve (3)

Reported across: 2014 – 2024 (10 years)

What owners described

Pressure-monitoring (TPMS) fault appears in 23% of these reports; about 9.5× as often as across all tire complaints. Percentages are shares of the 48 reports covering every model year of the Ram 2500 that include a written account; a single report can describe more than one problem, so they do not total 100%.

Reported problem	This subject	All tire complaints	Relative
Pressure-monitoring (TPMS) fault	23%	2%	9.5×
Sidewall failure	19%	15%	1.3×
Bubble or bulge in the tire	19%	6%	3.2×
Blowout or sudden deflation	17%	20%	0.8×
Loss of control, rollover or collision	13%	8%	1.5×
Cracking or dry rot	6%	9%	0.7×

Mileage at failure

19 of these reports state an odometer reading. The middle report is at 12,700 miles, with 8 in 10 falling between 1,000 and 137,804 miles.

In owners' own words

Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA about Ram 2500. Reports are published by NHTSA as filed and are lightly cleaned here only to remove intake codes.

THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR WILL NOT GO OFF AND KEEPS BLINKING "LOW TIRE PRESSURE. I HAVE MADE SEVEN ATTEMPTS TO GET THIS RESOLVED. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE TRUCK FROM LAST NIGHT THAT THERE IS NO MORE HE CAN DO. THEY OVER INFLATED THE TIRES TO 80 PSI TO MAKE THE SENSOR GO OFF BUT THE TIRES ARE ONLY RATED FOR 65PSI MAX. THIS OVER INFLATION HAD VOIDED THE TIRE WARRANTY FROM THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. THIS COULD ALSO RESULT IN A TIRE BLOW OUT AND ACCIDENT WHICH COULD CAUSE DEATH TO ME, MY FAMILY OR PASSENGERS. I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED BEFORE ANYONE GETS HUT OR KILLED.

NHTSA complaint 1062824 · 2014 vehicle

TPMS DOES NOT ALLOW SETTING TIRE PRESSURES TO EITHER THE OEM DOOR STICKER SETTING NOR THE RECOMMENDED TIRE SETTING FROM THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WITHOUT SETTING WARNING LIGHT AND NAG SCREEN ON STARTUP. CONSTANT WARNING LIGHT AND NAG SCREEN CORRECTION WILL LEAD TO DRIVER COMPLACENCY, NEGATING THE PURPOSE OF TPMS ALERTING THE DRIVER TO A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES. TPMS REQUIRED OVERINFLATION RESULTS IN POTENTIAL LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL DUE TO LOSS OF TRACTION. ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR DUE TO TIRE OVERINFLATION INCREASES RISK OF HYDROPLANING AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. RAM CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS SYSTEMIC, BY DESIGN, AND CAN NOT BE CORRECTED AT PRESENT TIME. POTENTIAL FIX IS TO REPROGRAM BCM, ALLOWING DEALERS TO RESET TPMS TO APPROPRIATE SETTING FOR TIRES AND ACTUAL LOAD WITH APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION.

NHTSA complaint 1080265 · 2014 vehicle

DRIVING DOWN THE I-10 EAST OF JUNCTION I FELT A SLIGHT VIBRATION AND ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER AND AS I WAS DOING SO THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND BENT IN THE FENDER BED OF MY TRUCK AND BROKE THE STABILIZER BAR FOR THE BED SKIN. THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDE WALL. THERE WAS NO TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRE, ONLY SIDEWALLS. I REMOVED THE TIRE AND PUT ON THE SPARE TO GET HOME. WENT TO DISCOUNT TIRE THE NEXT DAY AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SAME TIRE BUT DIFFERENT SIZE. THEY REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A NEW ONE AND FILED A CLAIM WITH KUMHO AND SENT THE DEFECTED TIRE TO THEM.

NHTSA complaint 1270599 · 2014 vehicle

PATRIOT AT LT 285/60R20 TIRES 15,XXX MILES ON FOUR BRAND NEW TIRES, SUDDEN VIOLENT VIBRATION OCCURRED, STOPPED VEHICLE AND FOUND FRONT LEFT TIRE HAD BULGE IN TREAD AND WAS SEPARATING. TWO DAYS LATER SAME THING AND FOUND RIGHT REAR TIRE IN SAME CONDITION. ALL TIRES HAVE CODE DOT TBF2 FA5C 2318 2014 RAM 2500

NHTSA complaint 1678499 · 2014 vehicle

Complaints are voluntarily submitted to the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation and are not verified by NHTSA; they represent owner-reported problems, not proven defects. Counts can be useful as a relative quality signal across comparable tires or vehicles.

Frequently asked questions

What size tires fit a 2012 Ram 2500?

The OEM tire size for the 2012 Ram 2500 is 245/70R17 mounted on R17 wheels.. Trim levels and option packages can shift the original fitment; confirm against your specific vehicle's driver-door placard before purchase.

Can I run a different tire size on my 2012 Ram 2500?

Plus-sizing (larger rim, lower aspect) is possible within ±3% of the OEM overall diameter per the ETRTO safe-fit standard. The Compatible alternative sizes table on this page lists every safe option for the OEM size. Always confirm with the manufacturer or a qualified tire shop before deviating from the placard.

Where can I buy tires for my 2012 Ram 2500?

Online tire retailers in our affiliate network carry every size documented for this vehicle. Use the Shop online buttons above to compare prices across them; variance of $20–$40 per tire is common between merchants. The <a href="/tools/tire-install-cost-calculator/">install cost calculator</a> estimates the out-the-door including mount, balance, TPMS, and disposal by state.

What is the recommended tire pressure for the 2012 Ram 2500?

The cold-inflation pressure is printed on the driver-door placard of your specific vehicle and varies by trim, tire size, and loaded vs unloaded condition. Typical OEM front and rear pressures fall between 30 and 36 psi for passenger trims and 32–40 psi for SUV/truck variants, but the placard is the authoritative source.

Can I fit winter tires in a different size on my 2012 Ram 2500?

Yes; the standard winter-tire fitment pattern is one width step narrower than OEM (e.g. 225 → 215) with the aspect ratio bumped up to preserve overall diameter. Narrower tires increase contact pressure on snow for better traction. The Compatible alternative sizes table includes any winter-friendly options that fall within ±3% OD for this vehicle.

How often should I rotate the tires on my 2012 Ram 2500?

Every 5,000–7,500 miles is the typical OEM recommendation for passenger vehicles. AWD vehicles and high-torque trucks benefit from the shorter interval. Documented rotation history is also a tire-warranty prerequisite; most manufacturer treadwear claims require rotation receipts at the warranty inspection.

For broader tire questions; replacement timing, UTQG, EV-specific tires, winter swaps; see the tire FAQ.

Sources for this page

Vehicle owner's manual tire & wheel placard; door-jamb placard on the Ram 2500 is the authoritative source for OEM tire size, load index, and cold-inflation pressure for your specific trim.
NHTSA SaferCar; recall lookup for the 2012 Ram 2500.
ETRTO 2024 Standards Manual §2.3; overall-diameter math used for the alternative-size verdicts above.
Tire & Rim Association 2025 Yearbook; load-index to maximum-load reference.