Shop 255/45R17 tires in stock with confirmed size specs, validated diameter in inches, approved rim width range, and verified vehicle fitment before purchase.
Browse and filter 255/45R17 tires from Continental, Pirelli, Yokohama and more to quickly find your ideal fit.
255/45R17 tires are 255 mm wide, with a 45% aspect ratio and a 17-inch wheel diameter, producing an overall diameter of 26.0 inches and a sidewall height of 4.52 inches.
The 255/45R17 size sits between low-profile performance tires and mid-profile comfort-oriented configurations, combining a wide tread with a moderate sidewall height that supports both lateral stability and controlled ride compliance.
Compared to a shorter size, such as 255/40R17, the 255/45R17 increases both sidewall height and overall diameter. That increase improves impact absorption and slightly raises the vehicle, while reducing wheel rotation speed at a given road speed.
Note: The calculated overall diameter of 255/45R17 is ≈26.04 inches. A small variation may occur (+/-1%) depending on tread depth and casing structure rather than the nominal size itself. Mounting 255/45R17 within the approved 8.0–9.5" rim width range can slightly influence section shape and sidewall profile without changing the overall diameter. Learn more about Rim Width Ranges and Limits.
255/45R17 is primarily found on performance sedans and coupes where a balance between grip and ride compliance is required. In the U.S. market, it appears mostly on specific trims or staggered configurations rather than as a universal platform size.
Because the 255/45R17 size is often used in performance-oriented setups, correct fitment depends on wheel width, offset, and available clearance, especially when used on rear axles in staggered configurations.
The 255/45R17 tire size measures about 10.04 inches in width, 26.0 inches in overall diameter, and has a sidewall height of about 4.52 inches.
The 4.52-inch sidewall provides more vertical compliance than a 40-series alternative while still maintaining controlled deformation under load. This allows the tire to absorb road irregularities more effectively without significantly reducing steering precision.
Best tires in 255/45R17 size include:
255/45R17 sits close enough to both 255/40R17 and 245/45R17 to invite direct comparison, but each pairing reveals a different trade-off - one in sidewall height, the other in section width.
The 255/40R17 maintains the same 255mm width as the 255/45R17, but sits measurably shorter:
At 4.0%, this gap exceeds the ±3% threshold, ruling out direct substitution between 255/40R17 and 255/45R17. The height difference is meaningful in practice - 255/45R17 adds ride height and reduces rotational speed, while 255/40R17 keeps a lower stance and sharpens steering response through reduced sidewall flex.
The 245/45R17 matches 255/45R17 closely in diameter but runs narrower:
The diameter gap between 245/45R17 and 255/45R17 sits comfortably within the ±3% range, making these sizes generally interchangeable from a rolling-diameter standpoint. The more consequential change is the narrower section - 10 mm less width in 245/45R17 reduces the contact patch, affects lateral grip under load, and requires confirmation that the replacement falls within the approved rim width range.
Before switching from or to 255/45R17 tires, it is important to understand how the 3% rule works in practice and what additional factors should be verified when changing tire size.
255/45R17 tires are 255 mm wide, with a 45% aspect ratio and a 17-inch wheel diameter, producing an overall diameter of 26.0 inches and a sidewall height of 4.52 inches.
The 255/45R17 size sits between low-profile performance tires and mid-profile comfort-oriented configurations, combining a wide tread with a moderate sidewall height that supports both lateral stability and controlled ride compliance.
Compared to a shorter size, such as 255/40R17, the 255/45R17 increases both sidewall height and overall diameter. That increase improves impact absorption and slightly raises the vehicle, while reducing wheel rotation speed at a given road speed.
Note: The calculated overall diameter of 255/45R17 is ≈26.04 inches. A small variation may occur (+/-1%) depending on tread depth and casing structure rather than the nominal size itself. Mounting 255/45R17 within the approved 8.0–9.5" rim width range can slightly influence section shape and sidewall profile without changing the overall diameter. Learn more about Rim Width Ranges and Limits.
255/45R17 is primarily found on performance sedans and coupes where a balance between grip and ride compliance is required. In the U.S. market, it appears mostly on specific trims or staggered configurations rather than as a universal platform size.
Because the 255/45R17 size is often used in performance-oriented setups, correct fitment depends on wheel width, offset, and available clearance, especially when used on rear axles in staggered configurations.
The 255/45R17 tire size measures about 10.04 inches in width, 26.0 inches in overall diameter, and has a sidewall height of about 4.52 inches.
The 4.52-inch sidewall provides more vertical compliance than a 40-series alternative while still maintaining controlled deformation under load. This allows the tire to absorb road irregularities more effectively without significantly reducing steering precision.
Best tires in 255/45R17 size include:
255/45R17 sits close enough to both 255/40R17 and 245/45R17 to invite direct comparison, but each pairing reveals a different trade-off - one in sidewall height, the other in section width.
The 255/40R17 maintains the same 255mm width as the 255/45R17, but sits measurably shorter:
At 4.0%, this gap exceeds the ±3% threshold, ruling out direct substitution between 255/40R17 and 255/45R17. The height difference is meaningful in practice - 255/45R17 adds ride height and reduces rotational speed, while 255/40R17 keeps a lower stance and sharpens steering response through reduced sidewall flex.
The 245/45R17 matches 255/45R17 closely in diameter but runs narrower:
The diameter gap between 245/45R17 and 255/45R17 sits comfortably within the ±3% range, making these sizes generally interchangeable from a rolling-diameter standpoint. The more consequential change is the narrower section - 10 mm less width in 245/45R17 reduces the contact patch, affects lateral grip under load, and requires confirmation that the replacement falls within the approved rim width range.
Before switching from or to 255/45R17 tires, it is important to understand how the 3% rule works in practice and what additional factors should be verified when changing tire size.