I hate cars

I don't doubt there's a small difference. I may have come across harsh but I didn't mean it that way.

The difference won't be noticable to the average driver, especially on a moderately stiff suspension. I think the average a-ziner wouldn't know how to take advantage of a stiffer tire other than it "feels" like it corners better.

Sharper turn-in and better transitions from cornering to braking and back again are nice but again you have to know how to use it which 99% of the people will never experience.

Steady state cornering will barely be affected by sidewall differences.

And the main point is you will see more difference between manufacturers and brands than you will see from a 235/45 to a 255/40.

I do understand where you're coming from.

HQTL6SPD

crap now I'm confused on what size I want , I'll be buying tires next week. I know that I want all season performance Continental ContiExtremeSport. I have them now, they're worn, but have been great.

I need to decide soon...

Opel

245/40/17

HRF1

iTrader: (1)

Sorry for bumping an old thread, but I just recently put 255/40/17s on my stock TL-S wheels and they look and handle fine! We just had a week of storms in SoCal after I had these tires put on and there wasn't any hydroplaning or other problems using this setup in the rain.

I read this whole thread and decided I wanted to try this size and it makes the car look beefier with the wider tires.

It does enhance the wheel gap though, but I plan on lowering the car very soon so that's not too much of an issue.

Some quick pics:

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Curious as to what tires they might be? Haven't been on this thread in quite a while, but I was ready for some action.

Micha

Your 255's look really really narrow for a 10 inch wide tire.

My 245's look wider.

HRF1

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, I admit in those photos they look narrow. I think the gloomy rainy day contributed to the perception with the shadows because I took some shots yesterday in the sun, and the width is what I'd expect from a 255/40 tire and looks pretty beefy for a stock car.

Turbonut: They are NOS Yokohama AVSs.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

If they are the Yoko AVS ES100, those suckers have a 9.8" wide tread, and a cross section width of 10.4". I'll agree with your statement, pretty beefy.

Road Rage

A very thorough and informative post! Doubt there would be noticeable improvement, as one would likely get much better ROI by investing in better rubber rather than slightly lower profile rubber. This is especially true unless one has the ability to compare track times back to back, and make slight suspension alignment adjustments to ensure proper tracking, toe, and camber. Even a small change in these settings can result in greater slip angles. But since most of us just drive TL's and they are not really track cars, the look probably is more important than the "props".

Did not read all of the many replies, but it might not be a bad idea to replace the mini spare tire with something as close to your new effective diameter as possible (it may be there is no better size, so don't jump on me if that is the case). The only reason I bring that up is that if one tire is smaller than the others on the front axle, any LSD or LSD-type front axle may run at higher temps, since one wheel will be "spinning" faster than the one across the side, and that could be read as slip. I have seen a few cases (and even replaced a Ford 8.8" Traktion-Lok) where someone had jacked wheel/tires on the rear axle, had a flat, put on the spare, and then ran many miles at highway speed. The clutch packs burned and the carrier was ruined, and the fluid looked like tarry goo. Hey, it ain't likely, but a word to the wise is sufficient.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

You make a very good point as many a transfer case has been rendered useless because of the difference in tire sizes, and with a posi, sure grip, etc, it certainly would make it more beneficial to have the correct sized spare on that axle.
Having said this, anyone that has a flat on the front, and is running larger or smaller diameter tires, it would probably behoove those people to place the spare on the back and move one from the back to the front, providing all the tires are the same size and in custom applications, hopefully the rear wheel/tire will fit the front.

I hate cars

I agree that the compound makes much more of a difference than the width. I guess with width you can have better traction with no penalty in wear. I've gone from a wider street tire to a narrower drag radial and there's absolutely no comparison in traction between the two. Even the NT05s I'm running run a little narrow but compared to the G-force Sports I had on here before it's a night and day difference in every performance category.

As for the sidewall, many on here seem to think that the lower the profile the better for performance. Not true. The 255/40 that I'm running is the absolute lowest I would go. The sidewall needs to be there to help absorb bumps. Not for comfort but to keep the tire in contact with the road. I have to laugh at the many threads of people with a 20" rim and a 235/35 or 225/35 on them talking about how good they handle. You won't find any serious track cars with these super low profile tires.

Nice to have you back!

BostonSilverTypeS

hmmm i think 255/40/17 will be my next set of tires...pretty good thread....also agreed that anything lower than 40series does not make performance better but worse IMHO.......

wubstyle

I'm getting 255/40/17s on my 07 TL-S this Friday. Went with BFG g-Force T/A KDW.

I'll post pics when theyre on.

07TLTYPESex

where is everyone gettin theyre 255/40/17 tires? ive been searchin and cant find em

Inaccurate

I always order my tires from www.tirerack.com

Not all brands make tires in this 255/40/17 size. Perhaps the brand that you wish to purchase does not offer this 255/40/17 size.

What brand & model of tire were in interested in ?

07TLTYPESex

well i just didnt search very well lol but they discontinue the goodyears eagle 1s i wanted
, but im sure i can find something just as goood

Gordon Kleber

This is an awesome thread...will need to replace OEM tires soon. I live in Illionis with lots of pot holes. I think I'll go with 245/45 for my 07 to protect those rims. Anything I'm missing?

Fu817Qua

yea great tread, ill got 60k now and looking for new tires

ocdp

Hey guys I'm in a predicament. I need new tires bad (have 2 slow leaks) but I've been saving up for some new wheels. If I get 4 new tires that's gonna set me back like 400+ greatly cutting into my new wheel fund. But I'm trying to wait to find a good deal on some a-specs. What should I do???

SweetJazz

My 245's look wider.

Inaccurate

Yes, this is possible.

The rim width will have a large effect on the overall tire width (sectional width).

The 255 (for example) indicates the tire is 255 millimeters across from the widest point of its outer sidewall to the widest point of its inner sidewall when mounted and measured on a specified width wheel.

And to a much lesser extent, different tire brands will tend to be sized differently.

subinf

Round two despite my previous statement of going back to OEM size.

jpk7

I've been looking at a 255/40/17 or a 245/45/17 ZP (zero pressure). How does ZP impact ride and performance? Has anyone tried the Extreme Contact DW by continental?

HRF1

iTrader: (1)

My 255s look pretty wide especially in the old Yoko AVS ES100 setup:



The pics I posted above a few months ago in the rain don't do the 255s justice, as they are a really wide and beefy tire. After running the 255/40/17 setup the past 8 months, the only thing I dislike is the lower profile '40' sidewall. Going from stock 45 to 40 makes a real visible difference that I don't particulary care for, especially on the stock wheel, but I like the wider tire.

jdmvette

looks good. definately considering 255/40 next.

LuvMyRDX

I've got the Yokohama YK520's in a 245/45/17 and I'm very pleased. Not exactly a performance tire, but for all-around use they've been fantastic. I live in CO and can use all the winter traction I can get. And the size change is quite significant to the eye. My sis has an '04 and she's still running the 235 45. Line them up side by side and you can see quite the difference in width though actual size on paper it's not much different. Same with height. Only 2" taller, but fills the wells up a little more visually. I did eye-ball the 255 40, but the prices were a little higher and the all-season performance style selection was less. Just my 2cents

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

HRF1-give us a side shot.

EL BAN

Thanks all for taking your time to give all your feedback.

I read ALL the pages.. all the replies..

I have about 4k-5k more miles to go before changing tires and will definitely go with 255/40's

Now its about deciding which tire..

Again thanks all..

All the ones in favor of the size and the ones also vouching for the 245's..

I hate cars

Nitto NT05 if you want the absolute highest performance in a streetable tire. Nothing short of a full "R" compound will come close.

HRF1

iTrader: (1)

Here are two side shots with the 255/40/17s:

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Nice! I like the set-up, especially with the wide stance. I'll need tires soon and I really like the way the 2nd photo looks. I like how it fills out the wheel wells-that is the 255/40's? If it is, it doesn't look low profile to me. I'm trying to fill out my wheel wells without having to drop the car....maybe this would work. I know most guys suggest the 245/40's, but I'm kind of liking this setup better....how is the ride and handling?

HRF1

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, both photos are of the 255/40/17 setup.

If you're on the stock suspension, the 255/40s will increase the wheel gap. The small difference in a 40 v. 45 sidewall is pretty noticeable. I'm lowered on Eibachs and Koni SP3s so I'm able to negate some of the extra wheel gap the lower profile 40s give which is probably why it looks as though the 255/40s fill out the wheel wells.

Ride and handling are just fine; no issues at all.

apetros

Hi, i drive a 2004 TL 5AT but have Type-s wheels on it. Looking for a good set of All-Season Tires. I haven't decided what tire size to go with before looking for what brand i want to buy. I live in Chicago. What do you guys think about 255/45/17 size instead of 255/40/17 any noticable difference in driving? I'd appreciate any advice

MofroS

Did you happen to grab side shots pre-drop? Not sure that I want to drop mine, but am worried about the added wheel gap and would love to see what it looked like on a TLS.

TIA.

Drop looks great btw.

EL BAN

Well, time to get new tires came up.. and ended up getting the 255's

Toyo Proxes to be exact.. lowered on Eibach Pro Kit..



Car is dirty and pic is shitty.. should get better ones in a couple of weeks after some detailing..

Sm0hsman

nicee.... ive got some thinking to do. awesome info

vp55

iTrader: (6)

Great thread, so much info but need some advice/recommendations.

I am looking for better handling/stiffer steering to replace the OEM Michelins on my TL-S.

Which ultra-high performance tire would you all go with? Would the 245 be a better option for handling? I was thinking of the BF Goodrich A/S but heard they were just "ok" and I would rather spend a little more if needed. TIA.

BigTone

I've loved reading this thread. I am in desperate need of new tires and was planning on 235 or 245/45/17 size (Continental ExtremeContact DW), but I love the look of the 255/40/17 I've seen here. Mind you I have original 2005 OEM rims, and all factory suspension etc. With that being said, I would appreciate any updates from someone with factory suspension who went with the 255/40s. I read a lot of recommendations to get the Goodyear Eagle f1-d3, but it doesn't appear tirerack carries them in 255/40? I appreciate any help steering me in the right direction for tires, I am ready to purchase this week. Also I saw about the Nitto NT05, but where do I purchase them and how much per tire? A lot of people mentioned unusual gap in the wheel wells with the 255/40 on stock suspension, were there any side view photos of what that would look like? How about performance at highway speeds, I recall reading someone saying the car didn't feel very responsive, more of a "floaty" feel to it. I'm in NorCal, looking for a quiet, great looking wider tire, that's max performance in D/W conditions.

Thanks so much for any feedback 255/40/17 tire users.

Whdrms

iTrader: (1)

yep 255's are good, i was running 255/45/17 though never had problem. 235/45/17... i have 245/40/18 and i miss having 255s :/

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Just thought I'd add, for the guys wondering what the 255/40-17 might look like on the car, it's the same diameter as the temporary spare in the 6M/T 145/70-17, 25" tall. So if you're interested in seeing the gap, put the spare on and that will be the new diameter of the tires. The AT spare is smaller (24.5") so that won't work.