Choosing the right tyres for your vehicle requires a balance of budget, features, and identifying the correct tyre size. In the case of executive cars, 245/45 R18 tyres tend to be one of the most common sizes – bridging a wide base with a narrower sidewall and large wheel rim diameter for aesthetic purposes and to ensure a stiff sidewall for maximum handling.
But before we look at the specifics of this tyre size, what exactly is an executive car and what does it need from its tyres in order to optimise the driving experience and performance?
What is an Executive Car?
An executive car is a larger vehicle that combines luxury with advanced technology and leading design. It typically uses the best materials both inside and out and spans a range of different vehicle types including estates, SUVs and hatchbacks.
Executive cars are synonymous with luxury, status and prestige, and used the latest in vehicle technology and innovation, as well as performance materials and design traits.
But as any car enthusiast will know, the quality of the driving experience is closely linked with the vehicle’s fitments – especially its tyres.
Key Features of Executive and Luxury Car Tyres
The tyres that are typically fitted to executive and luxury cars are made from premium rubber which blends durability with performance. They boast complex tread patterns to optimise handling and often have low sidewalls to create a sporty aesthetic.
This is where the tyre size comes in.
What Does 245/45 R18 Mean?
The three components of this equation are what’s known as the tyre size calculation. They communicate the width of the tyre and its contact patch on the road, the height of the tyre sidewall, and the diameter of the wheel rim onto which the tyre is fitted.
- 245 = the width of the tyre in mm
- 45 = the height of the sidewall as a percentage of the width
- R18 = the diameter of the wheel rim in inches
Notice how, in this case, the tyres are incredibly wide but do not have a very high sidewall. This is what enhances the comfort and traction of the vehicle from a driving experience perspective, while also supporting the sporty and luxurious aesthetic that’s coveted by executive car owners.
The wide tyre tread in particular supports the handling and precise steering of the vehicle, both when accelerating into corners and when navigating dry road surfaces.
Among the top executive cars that use this tyre size as standard, drivers will recognise models like the Audi A4, the BMW 3 Series, and a range of Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Do I Need New Tyres?
If you’ve come across this series of articles on the different commonly used tyre sizes across the UK, and you’re wondering whether you need to look for new tyres for your own car, then this final section is for you.
If your tyres are:
- Close to the minimum legal limit of 1.6mm in tyre tread depth
- Damaged or show any signs of cracks or splits
- Bulging, especially on the sidewall
- Incompatible with your vehicle and/or driving climate and terrain
… then it’s time to seek out a new set of tyres! Browse our extensive collection of tyres in different sizes, including budget-friendly and premium 245/45 R18 tyres from a range of brands, on our site.
