The wider tires, 245mm, and 255mm, have better traction, cornering, off-road driving, and aesthetic appeal than the narrower 235mm. However, wider tires are heavier, have a bigger turning radius, and produce more noise and hydroplaning tendencies.
The braking distance and time are shorter with wider 255 and 245 tires, while the lateral acceleration is higher. Wider tires also tend to have higher fuel consumption and may affect the vehicle’s understeer or oversteer tendencies.
However, the choice between narrow and wide tires depends on personal preference and vehicle types as well. To get a more in-depth understanding of these tire sizes, continue reading.
235 vs. 245 vs. 255 Tires; Wider Vs Narrower?
The table compares the performance of 235mm, 245mm, and 255mm tires based on various parameters. There is a 10mm difference in tire width among the sizes provided. The maximum difference is 20mm, between the 235 and 255mm tires.
| Parameters | 235 mm | 245 mm | 255 mm |
| Traction | Good | Better | Best |
| Weight | Lightest | Slightly heavier | Heaviest |
| Turning Radius | Smallest | Small | Biggest |
| Rim size Compatibility (inches) | 7.5-9 | 8-9.5 | 8.5-10 |
| NVH | Least Noisy | Noisier | Most Noisy |
| Hydroplaning Tendency | Less | More | Most |
| Cornering | Good | Better | Best |
| Braking Distance, Time | Longest | Shorter | Shortest |
| Lateral Acceleration | Low | Higher | Highest |
| Sand and Snow Driving | Best | Better | Good |
| Off-road Driving | Good | Better | Best |
| Chassis Raise | Tall | Taller | Tallest |
| Fuel Consumption | Low | Higher | Highest |
| Understeer Tendency | Most | More | Less |
| Oversteer Tendency | Less | More | Most |
| Aesthetic Appeal | Less | More | Most |
| Vehicles Used In | Chevy Silverado 1500, GMC Canyon, Chevy Trailblazer | BMW M5, Dodge Caravan, Nissan Maxima | Ford F-150, Mercedes X class, GMC Sierra |
| Price* | 140$-180$ | 215$-240$ | 280$-300$ |
*The price given here is as of March 2023 and depends heavily on the make and manufacturer of the tire.
Traction
The 255 and 245 mm tires have a larger contact patch area with the road, than the 235 mm tire, which can potentially provide more traction in some circumstances. However, other factors such as road surface conditions, weather, and tire design can also affect traction.
Weight
Generally, wider tires like 255 mm tend to be heavier than narrower tires like 235 mm and 245 mm due to containing more material. However, there are other factors that can influence a tire’s weight, such as the construction materials, design, etc.
Turning Radius
The 235mm tire has the smallest turning radius while the 255mm tire has the largest turning radius. A smaller turning radius means that a vehicle can turn more sharply and requires less space to complete a turn, while a larger turning radius requires more space to complete a turn.
Compatible Rim sizes
These three tires have common rim sizes and can be used interchangeably with those rims. This means that if a vehicle is equipped with a specific rim size that is compatible with any of these tire sizes, the driver can choose to install any of these tires on that rim.
NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness)
Wider tires like 255 and 245 have more contact with the road, making them noisier than the 235mm tires. NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) is a test that evaluates a tire’s noise and vibration characteristics.
While a tire’s size and diameter can affect its NVH performance, NVH is influenced by many factors, such as tire design, tread pattern, construction, and the vehicle’s suspension system.
Hydroplaning Tendency
Wider tires such as 255 and 245 are more prone to hydroplaning than 235mm. This is because wider tires have a larger contact area with the road, which can lead to more water buildup between the tire and the road surface. This can cause the tire to lose traction and float, resulting in reduced control and stability.
Cornering
Wider tires like 255mm and 245mm can provide more grip and stability in corners than 235mm tires, especially at higher speeds. This is because wider tires have a larger contact patch with the road, which can distribute the weight of the car more evenly and provide more traction.
But wider tires are more difficult to turn at low speeds and may require more effort to steer due to their larger size and contact patch. On the other hand, narrower tires provide more agility and responsiveness in corners, at lower speeds.
You can know more about the pros and cons of narrow and wide tires from 225 vs. 245 vs. 265 Tires.
Braking Distance and Time
As a general rule, the braking distance and time are shorter for wider tires like 255 and 245 since they have more rolling resistance than narrow tires like 235mm. At the same time, wider tires have a greater surface area in contact with the road, which allows for better grip and increased stopping power.
Lateral Acceleration
Wider tires like 245 and 255 can hold more lateral acceleration without sliding than narrower 235mm tires. Wider tires’ increased contact patch area between the tire and the road surface provides more grip and traction.
This allows for higher lateral acceleration values without sliding or losing control. A vehicle with a high lateral acceleration capability can make turns more quickly and smoothly while maintaining better control and stability.
Sand and Snow Driving
Narrow tires among the three options, 235, 245, and 255, provide better traction in snow and sand driving situations than wider ones. This is because there is concentrated pressure on smaller contact patches which helps maintain control of the vehicle on snow and sand.
Off-road Driving
In comparison to narrower options such as 235 and 245 tires, 255 tires are the optimal choice for this type of driving. This is because the larger contact patch provided distributes the weight of the vehicle more evenly over the rocky surface.
This results in improved traction and handling. Our recommendation for off-road driving on rocky terrain is to opt for wider tires, as they can provide better grip and handling capabilities.
Chassis Raise
In the case of the three tire options provided, the 255mm tire has the tallest chassis height and is therefore more likely to cause increased roll and oscillation of the vehicle. Conversely, the 235mm tire has the lowest chassis raise and is likely to have the lowest roll tendency.
Wider tires can raise the chassis height of a vehicle, which can result in a change in the center of gravity. This change increases the roll and oscillation of the vehicle, which is often not desirable.
Fuel consumption
In terms of fuel efficiency, the narrower 235 tires outperform the wider 245 and 255 tires due to their lower rolling resistance. The 255 tires have the highest rolling resistance, resulting in the highest fuel consumption of the three options.
Additionally, since the 235 tires are lighter than the wider options, they provide better fuel economy. Therefore, if you prioritize fuel efficiency, it’s recommended to go for the 235 tires over the heavier and wider 245 or 255 tires.
Oversteering and Understeering
The wider 255mm tires are more prone to oversteering than the narrower 235mm and 245mm tires. Oversteering can occur when the rear tires lose traction, causing the vehicle to turn more than the driver intended.
On the other hand, the 235mm tires are the least prone to oversteering among the three options. Understeering is detrimental to vehicle performance and safety because the front tires lose traction. This makes the vehicle continue on a straight path instead of turning.
Aesthetic Appeal and Vehicles Used In
Popular vehicles like Chevy Silverado 1500, GMC Canyon, and Chevy Trailblazer use the 235mm tires. Similarly, BMW M5, Dodge Caravan, and Nissan Maxima use 245, whereas Ford F-150, Mercedes X class, and GMC Sierra come with 255mm tires.
On semi-trucks, SUVs, and off-road vehicles, wider tires like 255mm are often considered more visually appealing than 235mm. However, personal preference plays a significant role in aesthetic value. Generally, people tend to prefer wider and bulkier tires, which give a more imposing and rugged appearance.
Price
The wider 255mm tires are more expensive than 235mm and 245mm tires due to the additional cost involved in their production. On average, the price range for these three tires is around 140$-300$.
Generally, wider tires are costlier since they have more raw materials in them than narrower options. However, the actual price can vary depending on factors such as the brand and make of the tire.
FAQs
Can I Replace 255 Tires With 245 Tires?
Yes, you can replace 255 tires with 245 tires provided you use a rim size both of these tires can be fitted onto. The difference in width is 10mm which is not significant, but there will be performance changes as discussed above.
Is Higher Profile Tire Better?
High-profile tires can reduce stress on the rim and contribute to the wheel’s longevity while low-profile tires can provide improved steering response and handling performance. However, when it comes to tire profiles, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
How Much Difference In Tire Size Is Ok?
Generally, replacement tires should have a diameter (height) measurement within 3 percent of your existing tires. However, this calculation assumes that your current tires are the ones recommended by the vehicle’s owner’s manual.
Bottom Line
Hopefully, this article was sufficient to provide clarity on the differences between 235, 245, and 255 tires and the impact of tire width on vehicle performance. Understanding the relationship between these factors is crucial for selecting the right tires that will ensure optimal performance.
