Is a 245 tire considered very wide?
2 Answers
245 is considered a wide tire. Generally speaking, for car tire widths, microcar tires range between 125-155mm, while small car tires are between 165-195mm. Compact vehicle tires are around 195-225mm, and tires with a section width above 225mm are referred to as wide tires. Therefore, a tire with a width of 245mm falls into the wide tire category. Below is relevant information about tires: The marking 245/45R18 commonly found on tires represents the tire size, where 245 indicates the tire's section width (i.e., a tire width of 245mm), 45 represents the aspect ratio (the percentage of sidewall height to tire width), R denotes that it's a radial tire, and 18 signifies the tire's diameter in inches. Each vehicle model has standard tire specifications. If you switch to significantly smaller or larger tires, you may also need to change the rims. However, it's recommended to select appropriate tires based on the vehicle's standard tire specifications, as changing to different rim sizes can affect driving performance to some extent. Installing excessively large rims may cause rubbing against the wheel arches, increase the vehicle's unsprung mass, disrupt the factory-set suspension geometry, and compromise driving safety.
I've been driving for over a decade, and 245-width tires are quite common for city driving, not considered overly wide. For regular sedans or SUVs like the Camry or Highlander, this size is standard factory equipment. Compared to narrower 185 or 195 tires, they provide better stability, especially at high speeds where the car feels less floaty, with stronger grip and shorter braking distances in rainy conditions. However, when compared to ultra-wide 255 or 275 tires used on sports cars, 245 tires are relatively fuel-efficient, consuming only about 0.5 liters more per 100 kilometers. Daily usage costs are low, with minimal tire noise and simple maintenance. Even self-replacement isn't expensive. Overall, this width suits most people—it's not exaggerated and is a practical choice. Once you're used to it, you won't complain about it being too wide.
