Question on tire sizes....

[cableguynoe]

OK....I am looking to get new tires for the first time.
I've done searches at Costco and Walmart and found out my LS's tire size is supposed to be 235/50/17...yet my tires are 245/45/17......

Since I know nothing about tires please help me understand what the difference is between the 2, and what I should get. I live in California so weather is not an issue.....so I guess it comes down to looks.

Also, reading other threads I see some of you have 255....is this something I should consider? Or just stick with what I have?

 

[HyeLifeLS]

The 235/50/17 came standart on the sport LSs with 17 wheels.

The 245/45/17 is the optional tire size that may be used on those wheels recomended by the factory (check the sticker when you open the right rear door).

Ok the tires go like this: the 235 is the width of the tire in millimeters, the 50 is the height of the tire, the profile, it is the 50% of the tire's width, the 50% of the 235, that's the height of the tire. The 17 is the size of the wheel.

I had 235/50/17s on my LS (the stock tires), then I bought some 255/45/17s, they fit perfectly, no rubbing, handles great and looks really nice. I would recomment that size on the stock wheels.

I bought a set Nankangs 255/45/17s for $400 installed. I think if you find some other place, a smaller shop then the Costco or Sears, you will save a lot of money on the tires.

Now I have different wheels, I have 20" rims with 245/35/20 tires.

 

[beaups]

I don't think the tire math above is correct. the "235" is a measurement of some sort of the sidewalls and width COMBINED. the 45 (or 50) has to do with the sidewall height relative to the width. my point is that a 235/50 is not only not as wide as a 235/45 it's also taller. this is all IIRC but I think it's accurate.

I think if you are going after 255's, 40 series will give you the closest ride height to stock...however if my point above is correct a 255/40 is WIDER than a 255/45.

 

[KD00LS]

235 is the width of the tire.
45 is the thickness from rim to top of tread.
17 obviously is the diameter.
That's all basic stuff, yeah there's more to it but that's the basic idea.

 

[Bushum]

my point is that a 235/50 is not only not as wide as a 235/45 it's also taller. this is all IIRC but I think it's accurate.

however if my point above is correct a 255/40 is WIDER than a 255/45.

The first number is the width regardless of the aspect ratio. A 235 tire has a 235mm section width no matter what the aspect ratio. The first post is correct.

 

[2006kmls]

255-45-17 is the tire of choice. It will fit on the stock rim.

Stay AWAY from all the CHINESE tires....like at COSTCO. Your driving an American made car that sold for $50k, don't put some laughable Nankangs or HanKOOKS or KumHO's....leave all that :q:q:q:q to the ricers who work at COSTCO and McDonalds or are in High School. For those that need a real job, buy American made tires.

At tirerack.com you can get ultra high performance Firestone Wide Oval's that look killer, are WIDE in a 255-17 size and are American made. Or get some BFG tires or Goodyear's.

You'll be able to sleep at night!

 

[SoonerLS]

I think if you are going after 255's, 40 series will give you the closest ride height to stock...however if my point above is correct a 255/40 is WIDER than a 255/45.

Nope; a 255/40 is the same width as a 255/45--they're both 255mm wide. The 255/45 is taller than the 255/40, though. Remember, those numbers are tire width/sidewall height, with the height expressed as a percentage of the width.

 

[HyeLifeLS]

Weren't those the AMERICAN made Firestones on the Ford Explorers that rolled every other day like a mother :q:q:q:qer? I have had 2 sets of Nankangs on my 17s and on my 20s, they wore out kind of fast but the rest is as good as any other good tire.

255-45-17 is the tire of choice. It will fit on the stock rim.

Stay AWAY from all the CHINESE tires....like at COSTCO. Your driving an American made car that sold for $50k, don't put some laughable Nankangs or HanKOOKS or KumHO's....leave all that :q:q:q:q to the ricers who work at COSTCO and McDonalds or are in High School. For those that need a real job, buy American made tires.

At tirerack.com you can get ultra high performance Firestone Wide Oval's that look killer, are WIDE in a 255-17 size and are American made. Or get some BFG tires or Goodyear's.

You'll be able to sleep at night!

 

[SoonerLS]

Weren't those the AMERICAN made Firestones on the Ford Explorers that rolled every other day like a mother :q:q:q:qer? I have had 2 sets of Nankangs on my 17s and on my 20s, they wore out kind of fast but the rest is as good as any other good tire.

According to Firestone, those were from their Brazilian manufacturing plants.

 

[2006kmls]

Your youth has Nankangs as being cool......you know not any better....some day you'll desire a real job.....then you'll wish you had bought an American made product.

 

[HyeLifeLS]

Who are you to tell me about my desires?? You don't even know what kind of job I do. You don't even know how old am I! Even if I am young in age doesn't mean that I am young in my mind!

Plus, I have two American made products already (Lincoln LS and Mercury Mystique LS) and I also have a German product (BMW 325i) and guess what is gonna be next... It's is gonna be changing the American product to German!

Your youth has Nankangs as being cool......you know not any better....some day you'll desire a real job.....then you'll wish you had bought an American made product.

 

[2006kmls]

As I said.....your young age (19-20) is what it is. Someday you'll need a job then you'll get it....for now, head on down to Costco.

 

[HyeLifeLS]

I am not 19-20 first of all, then you don't tell me if I need a job or no (you don't even know what kind of job I do) and finally as you said you should get off of your back side and head on to Costco.

As I said.....your young age (19-20) is what it is. Someday you'll need a job then you'll get it....for now, head on down to Costco.

 

[Garbone]

255-45-17 is the tire of choice. It will fit on the stock rim.

Stay AWAY from all the CHINESE tires....like at COSTCO. Your driving an American made car that sold for $50k, don't put some laughable Nankangs or HanKOOKS or KumHO's....leave all that :q:q:q:q to the ricers who work at COSTCO and McDonalds or are in High School. For those that need a real job, buy American made tires.

At tirerack.com you can get ultra high performance Firestone Wide Oval's that look killer, are WIDE in a 255-17 size and are American made. Or get some BFG tires or Goodyear's.

You'll be able to sleep at night!

How did they come up with the 300hp, in the "Ultimate" LS V8? I am just curious, as maybe if it is as simple as a chip, exhaust, or a CAI, then maybe I need it, too.

 

[jgfish97]

Talk about bring up a dead thread! This one is from 05. And I don't think Ken Motz owns his 300hp, pinwheel exhaust tips LS anymore.

 

[Quik LS]

the 03+ LSes came with 280hp stock - so I am assuming with the intake and tune he feels he is getting another 20hp - which should be close.