CarSpecsHQ

255/40R18 vs 245/45R18

245/45R18 is a safe swap for 255/40R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.50%.

18" rim
255/40R18 26.03" · 245/45R18 26.68" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/40R18245/45R18Difference
Overall diameter26.03"26.68"+0.65" (+2.50%)
Section width255 mm245 mm-10 mm
Sidewall4.02"4.34"+0.32"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference81.8"83.8"+2.0"
Revs per mile775756-19
Ride height——+0.32"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.5+1.5 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.5 mph

With 245/45R18 on a car calibrated for 255/40R18, the speedometer reads 58.5 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.5%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.7 mph
45 mph46.1 mph
60 mph61.5 mph
70 mph71.7 mph
80 mph82.0 mph

Other sizes close to 255/40R18

Questions

Can I replace 255/40R18 with 245/45R18?

245/45R18 is a safe swap for 255/40R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.50%.

What's the difference between 255/40R18 and 245/45R18?

245/45R18 is 0.65" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.32". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.5 mph.

Will 245/45R18 fit on 255/40R18 wheels?

Both use a 18" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 245 mm tire and the fender clearance.