Swapping 19s with 18s on new titanium awd. Questions!

[spinbreakz]

So I am about to pull the trigger on a new 2014 titanium awd but I have a couple of concerns that Are holding me back. The fusion I want has everything, except the 18 inch rims.

 

The 19s to me are not a good option, especially in a state that gets a ton of snow. I heard that the 19s come with summer tires which is no good since I do not want to have to buy a set of winter tires.

 

When I spoke with the dealer, I asked about swapping the rims out, straight up, for a set of 18s off another fusion, they said no since the cars come programmed for the size rim they ship with. I thought this was pretty lame, especially since it isn't costing them anything but 10 minutes of time and they could mark another fusion up 700 bucks.

 

They also said this voids warranty. I Call BS on that one.

 

Anyways, if I were to buy a set a 18s, would a dealer reprogram the ECU for me? Has anyone completed a rim size swap on a fusion awd before?

 

I'd more than likely buy ford rims and tires anyways since I like the way they look.

 

Thoughts? Suggestions?

[BlackBetty]

Sounds like the dealer is just being difficult.

 

Are you sure the 19's come with summer tires? I built one on Ford.com and usually there is a little note stating that they are summer tires.

 

I also call bs of voiding warranty, they can deny a claim but it will not void your whole waranty and in that case your replacing OE 19's or 18's so I have no idea what they could deny.

 

You wont need to reprogram the ECU I put 16" winter tires on my sport (stock 18's) every year and the only problem is the TMPS sensors think I have a low tire since I don't run them in my 16's.

[akirby]

I don't think Ford offers summer tires on a Fusion. The 19s are all season.

 

There is no need to reprogram the car because you're not actually changing the overall tire diameter. The 18s and 19s are the same size, one just has a larger wheel and smaller sidewall.

 

The only thing that would possibly be affected on the warranty is if you went with really heavy wheels and you had wheel bearing or front suspension wear.

[mco30mco]

i know im a few days late on this one. The fusion comes with 16 17 18 and 19 inch rims. the overall diameter of the tire the factory uses makes each one within a few tenths of an inch of eachother so the ecu will not have to be reprogramed. the smaller wheels will definetly give a better ride and be safer on crappy roads. the tires will not cost as much to replace and you wont have to worry about hitting a big hole and messing up those big rims and rubber band tires. you will also have a much larger selection of tires when it comes time to replace them. also you get much more mileage out of higher profile tires on smaller rims. 20k to 30k is about the max you will get out of a expensive low profile tire.

i work at flat rock where we build the fusion and mustang. the higher trim level you are looking at is made in mexico though, but the advice i gave you still applies. good luck and thank you for buying a ford.

if they make you take the 19s im sure many people on here would trade you for one of the other sizes. i have the 17 inch and they ride pretty good. the base model has the 16 inch and will have the smothest ride.

hope i helped

[dspman67]

I can confirm that the 14 Fusion is offered with a 18" summer performance tire. I just bought a 14 SE in June and it came with 18" Goodyear Eagle F1 which is a summer performance tire.

[Waldo]

I can confirm that the 14 Fusion is offered with a 18" summer performance tire. I just bought a 14 SE in June and it came with 18" Goodyear Eagle F1 which is a summer performance tire.

 

It is a stand-alone option on 2.0L only, both SE and Titanium. There is no 19in summer tire though.

Edited October 1, 2014 by Waldo