Tires: Change tire size, tire placard, 2004 isuzu ascender

Question
I currently have 245/60R/17 tires on my 2004 Isuzu Ascender, can I replace them with 235/60R/17 tires. The rims are aluminum that came with the vehicle.

Answer
Jim,

On every vehicle sold in the US, there is a sticker – commonly called the tire placard - that lists the original tire size and the proper pressure for that size.  The placard is usually located on a doorpost or in the glove box – but sometimes it is located in the trunk or on the fuel filler door.

BTW, it doesn't matter who makes the tire or what pressure is listed on the tire's sidewall, if the tire size is the same as the placard, then the pressure listed on placard is also appropriate.

I looked up your vehicle on Tire Guides, which summarizes vehicle tire placards, and they say the original tire size was P245/65R17 - which is larger than what you have on there now, and 2 steps larger than you are proposing.  Going down in load carrying capacity is the wrong direction for safety.  That increases the risk of a load related tire failure, which sometimes has tragic results.

I recommend against this move.