235 or 245

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Old 07-09-2009, 02:12 PM
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235 or 245

Hi guys. Newbie here. I was looking on the tire rack website for some replacement tires for my 05 tl with 17" stock wheels. The website recommends 235/45ZR17 tires. My car which I bought used 2 months ago has 245/45ZR17's on it.

Which is right? Which is better?

I live in Pittsburgh and we are famous for our potholes. I'm 45 and not really concerned about looking cool. I need the best size for all weather driving.

Thanks!
Old 07-09-2009, 02:22 PM
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I think 245 is better for performance.
Old 07-09-2009, 02:22 PM
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Wider is better but honestly if your not concerned with looks/performance, get the 235 since they will be a little bit cheaper.

EDIT: The 245 will offer more rim protection.
Old 07-09-2009, 02:25 PM
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IMO There is no right or better.....both will be okay for a TL
the 245's will have a slightly higher sidewall (approx 5mm) as well as being 10mm wider than the 235's
Old 07-09-2009, 02:32 PM
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Higher sidewall sounds better. I don't want too low of a profile and crack a rim on one of our potholes.

What about traction in the snow? Narrower is usually better in the snow.
Old 07-09-2009, 03:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Fuzzbutt
Higher sidewall sounds better. I don't want too low of a profile and crack a rim on one of our potholes.

What about traction in the snow? Narrower is usually better in the snow.
you want to stay as close as the factory specs are, 235/45/17. With the 245, your spedometer and odometer will be a little bit off. They will show that you are going 59.1 when you are going 60 MPH. Its about a 1.419% error.

The narrower the tire, the better in snow. As well, make sure you get an all season M+S tire.
Old 07-09-2009, 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by csmeance
you want to stay as close as the factory specs are, 235/45/17. With the 245, your spedometer and odometer will be a little bit off. They will show that you are going 59.1 when you are going 60 MPH. Its about a 1.419% error.

The narrower the tire, the better in snow. As well, make sure you get an all season M+S tire.
Skinnier tires save you a bit of fuel on the highway and you have a higher top speed because they are easier to rotate against the pavement. I personally will go to 245 next because I want rim protection.

As for speedo acuracy, most cars show faster than actual speed my old cl was showing 75 when I was going 71.

Last edited by PhilB81; 07-09-2009 at 04:48 PM.
Old 07-09-2009, 04:53 PM
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I bought 245 for rim protection, but my rims still got scuffed.

Just be careful driving.
Old 07-09-2009, 05:18 PM
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Any recommendations for a good all season tire? The recommendations on Tire rack are all over the board.

I'm leaning towards these:B F Goodrich G force super sport a/s
$140.00 each at Costco.
BFGoodrich - g-Force™ Super Sport A/S
  • 235/45ZR17 94W
  • Item #: 245611
  • Tire Type: All-Season
  • Sidewall: Black Sidewall
  • Limited 6 year manufacturer's warranty
  • Our most technologically advanced tire ever.
  • Tenacious grip in dry, wet and snow.
  • Performance never has to take a day off.
  • Click here for more details
Price per tire: $140.99
Old 07-09-2009, 08:19 PM
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I think I saw Michelin closeout A/S for around $147 today at the Rack
Old 07-09-2009, 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by scv76_
I think I saw Michelin closeout A/S for around $147 today at the Rack
If you can find the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S on close-out, it's the best value out there. Great tire, normally ~$250 each.

A mentioned, stock size is 235/45-17. Lots of people running 245/45 or 255/40.

Search those ("255/40" or "245/45") and you should find some good discussion on pros and cons.
Old 07-10-2009, 09:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Fuzzbutt
Any recommendations for a good all season tire? The recommendations on Tire rack are all over the board.

I'm leaning towards these:B F Goodrich G force super sport a/s
$140.00 each at Costco.
BFGoodrich - g-Force™ Super Sport A/S
  • 235/45ZR17 94W
  • Item #: 245611
  • Tire Type: All-Season
  • Sidewall: Black Sidewall
  • Limited 6 year manufacturer's warranty
  • Our most technologically advanced tire ever.
  • Tenacious grip in dry, wet and snow.
  • Performance never has to take a day off.
  • Click here for more details
Price per tire: $140.99

Before I got my general exclaim UHP, I went to Costco for a quote and for those exact same tires you just mention they wanted 1000$ with instalation and ballancing. I got G.E. UHP for 690$
Old 07-10-2009, 10:46 AM
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I like my 235's. Rim protection talk is imo overrated if you turn to sharp the RIM will get scuffed regardless of 235 or 245 because it's made of rubber. Just my personal opinion on this matter.
Old 07-10-2009, 10:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Fuzzbutt
Any recommendations for a good all season tire? The recommendations on Tire rack are all over the board.
Michelin Pilot A/S Plus, Bridgestone Pole Position 960AS, Yokohama Advan S4s (I just put on a set of these to replace the OEM Michelin MXM4s)...

FWIW, I looked at the Tire Rack test summaries, then the tire reviews by car model (i.e. 2004+ TL, and excluded reviews by people w/RWD).

Originally Posted by scv76_
I think I saw Michelin closeout A/S for around $147 today at the Rack
Add in $ for shipping + taxes, and $80-120 for balancing and installation for a set for the OTD price.
Originally Posted by myron
Before I got my general exclaim UHP, I went to Costco for a quote and for those exact same tires you just mention they wanted 1000$...
US $ > Canadian $.
I was to add $14 per tire to the price for the OTD price here in SoCal, according to the Costco website.
The Tire Rack info was more positive on the Pilots, Advans and Pole Positions than the BFGs.
Old 07-10-2009, 11:15 AM
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If you're not going to drive on the Autobahn, take a look at the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S 235/45-17 H rated. Installed them last year on the daughter's Maxima and can't say enough about the ride handling and even the snow traction.
I have the 245/45-17 Advan S.4 on the TL, also a great tire, but the car isn't used in the snow.
Old 07-10-2009, 01:17 PM
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When I read the tire rack reviews I get confused. One guy will say a tire is the best he ever had in snow, and then right below him someone will say the exact opposite. I guess you have to look at what the majority say. I have an AWD Murano to fall back on if it gets too bad out.

I'm looking for a middle of the road tire. Decent tread life, decent snow performance, and decent dry road performance. All without breaking the bank. I just dropped $1,200.00 for new tires on my motorhome. The tread was like new but the sidewalls were cracking. Not something you read about on this forum.

Thanks for the input!
Old 07-10-2009, 01:22 PM
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245's worked well

I put a set of the new Goodyear Eagle GT's on my car last fall. All I can say is they are great. Put the 245's on. They look better and offer a little better rim protection. I was afraid to drive the car with the "pos" OEM's tires. These were great in the snow and rain (live in Chicagoland), but also fun to drive also. Just a tad bit noisier than the OEM's but nothing you can't get over in about 1-2 days. ML
Old 07-10-2009, 02:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Will Y.

US $ > Canadian $.
We get raped for tires up here....pisses me off!
Old 07-10-2009, 03:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Ramrodthrusterpuppy
We get raped for tires up here....pisses me off!
I thought that the difference in pricing was just due to the exchange rate and not due to a VAT, etc.

Buyers in Los Angeles County also have to pay 9%+ (8%+ in most other CA counties) in sales taxes on the base price of tires, not including nominal recycling/disposal and tire valve fees. All of that is included in our Costco.com pricing, but a $14/tire install & balancing fee is not.
Old 07-14-2009, 10:02 AM
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I have been doing some searching on Tire Rack's reviews and a lot of people give the Kumho all seasons good reviews.
Any thoughts on the Kumho 245-45-17 Ecsta ASX?

It's supposed to be an ultra high performance all season tire. It seems to get good reviews.
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