What is the Lexus tire model?
4 Answers
Lexus tire configurations come in two models: 215/55R17 and 235/40R19. The first number, 215, indicates the tire width is 215MM. The 55 represents the aspect ratio of the tire's cross-section at 55%, meaning the section height is 55% of the width. The letter R stands for radial tire, and 17 denotes the rim diameter is 17 inches. The maximum speed of Lexus is 205km/h. In addition to the model, tires are also marked with the following common data: Tire cord material: Indicated by Chinese pinyin, such as M-cotton cord, R-rayon cord, N-nylon cord, G-steel cord, ZG-steel radial cord tire. Speed rating: Indicates the maximum speed at which the tire can carry a specified load under defined conditions. Letters A to Z represent certified speed ratings from 4.8km/h to 300km/h. Common speed ratings include: Q: 160km/h; H: 210km/h; V: 240km/h; W: 270km/h; Y: 300km/h; Rim specification: Shows the rim size compatible with the tire for practical use, such as standard rim 5.00F.
Lexus tire models are not uniformly fixed; different models or even the same model with different configurations may use different tires. Take my own ES300h for example, it came with Bridgestone tires in the size 235/45 R18, while my friend's RX450h is equipped with Dunlop tires in 235/55 R20. If you drive a large SUV like the LX570, you might use a wider and thicker size like 285/50 R20. The easiest way to find your tire model is to crouch down and look at the sidewall engraving—that string of characters resembling 'P245/50 R19' is definitely correct. Never cheap out and switch to a random model, as the wrong size can affect steering and braking performance. I once tried using a spare tire of the wrong model and felt the steering wheel become unstable.
When purchasing a Lexus, the salesperson informed me that the tire model depends on three key factors: vehicle trim, wheel size, and manufacturing year. The NX200 in their dealership has been equipped with two types of tires—the base model with 17-inch wheels uses 225/65 R17, while the higher trim with 18-inch wheels comes with 225/60 R18. The new LS500h is even more impressive, featuring 21-inch wheels with 255/40 R21 rear tires. In fact, the combination of numbers and letters on the tire sidewall acts like an ID. The numbers before and after the slash represent the tire width and aspect ratio respectively, the letter R stands for radial tire, and the final number indicates the wheel size. During maintenance, the technician reminded me that when replacing tires, it's not just about the model—the load index and speed rating must also match the original specifications, otherwise, the car may skid during high-speed cornering.
Last week, I helped my neighbor inspect his older IS250 and noticed the tire sidewall was marked 225/45 R17. The tire specifications vary significantly across Lexus models: sporty LC might use 245/40 R21 front and 275/35 R21 rear, while family-oriented UX200 commonly has 215/60 R17. Actually, the model numbers hold secrets - for example, '245' indicates the tire width in millimeters, '45' represents the aspect ratio (sidewall height as a percentage of width), with smaller numbers meaning thinner tires. It's recommended that owners check tire wear indicators every three months, and tires over five years old should be replaced. The repair shop owner mentioned they once saw someone mistakenly fit 225-width tires on a CT200h meant for 205/55 R16, resulting in fender rubbing that required rework.
