Are 400 Tires and 450 Tires the Same Height?
2 Answers
Whether 400 tires and 450 tires are the same height depends on the aspect ratio and rim size. Here, 400 and 450 represent the tire's section widths of 400mm and 450mm respectively. The tire diameter is calculated as: Tire Width × Aspect Ratio × 2 + 25.4 × Wheel Diameter. Below is extended information about automotive tire specifications: Specification Representation: Tires are crucial components of vehicles, and they come in various specifications suitable for different vehicle types. The specification markings are usually found on the tire sidewall as a series of alphanumeric characters, indicating the tire's tread width, aspect ratio, type, rim size, load index, and speed rating. Speed Rating: Based on the maximum speed they can sustain, tires are classified into different speed ratings from A to Z, with Grade A further divided into eight subcategories (A1-A8). Generally, the later the letter in the alphabet for the speed rating, the better the tire's performance.
The issue of tire height, let me start from my own driving experience. I've seen many people refer to 400 and 450 as tire size codes, which usually indicate widths of 400mm and 450mm. However, the height isn't necessarily the same because the overall height is determined by the width, aspect ratio (the sidewall height as a percentage of the width), and the wheel diameter. For example, if the aspect ratio is set at 50% for both and the wheel diameter is 17 inches, the 400 tire will be slightly lower in height, about 25mm less. In reality, this can affect the accuracy of the speedometer, making it easier to exceed the speed limit unknowingly, which poses significant safety risks. So, I strongly recommend checking the original factory parameters before changing tires or having a mechanic measure the dimensions to avoid wasting money or causing accidents. Like last time when my neighbor changed tires, the size didn't match, and the car felt very unstable, requiring a redo—what a hassle!
