255/45R17 tires
Prices, best picks and current deals for 255/45R17, a common size on performance cars. It fits the Chevrolet Corvette C4, Ford Mustang Cobra R and more.
Yes, this fits your Ford Mustang Cobra R. 255/45R17 is the original size on the 1995 Ford Mustang Cobra R.
The sticker inside the driver's door is still the final word, because trim and wheel package can change the size. Back to every Ford Mustang Cobra R size.
What 255/45R17 tires cost
Westlake SA07 Sport
Lowest price that still brakes and wears acceptably. Fine for a second car or low annual mileage.
Listed as Westlake SA07 Sport 255/45ZR17 98W All Season Passenger Tires
Nitto NT555 G2
The value sweet spot: long mileage warranty, solid wet grip, sane price.
Listed as Nitto NT555 G2 255/45ZR17 102W UHP Passenger Tires
Continental ExtremeContact
The strongest wet and snow braking and the longest tread life among what is stocked in this size. Worth it if you keep the car.
Listed as Continental ExtremeContact 255/45ZR17 98/116W Sport Passenger Tires
Prices are per tire, before mounting and balancing. A set of four in the mid range comes to roughly $685 to $902, and a brand rebate can take another $50 to $110 off, see this month's deals.
Cheapest 255/45R17 right now
Dcenti DC55 UHP All Season 255/45ZR17 102W Passenger Tires
$90.96per tire $181.92 for 2 tires · $363.84 for 4
12 tires in this size, priced straight from SimpleTire's own product feed, read 13 November 2026. Stock and prices move daily, so check the shop for today's figure.
See every 255/45R17 tire in stock at SimpleTire
About the 255/45R17 size
Front size for the 17 in C4 Corvette, P255/45ZR17 on a 17x8.5 wheel with 285/40ZR17 on the 17x9.5 rear, so the set is staggered and cannot be rotated. It was also the Mustang Cobra R size. Modern availability is good because 255/45R17 is still used by current performance sedans, which makes this one of the easier classic-era sizes to shop, and there are genuine all-season options, something a C4 owner in the north actually wants. No bias or whitewall relevance. Original fitment was a Z-rated Goodyear Eagle; keep to W or Y rated tires and match front and rear models exactly.
What the numbers on the sidewall mean
A 255/45R17 tire is 255 millimeters wide, its sidewall is 45 percent of that (about 4.5 inches tall), and it mounts on a 17-inch wheel. That works out to an overall diameter of roughly 26 inches. Every replacement has to match all three numbers, and the load index and speed rating on the placard inside the driver's door have to be met or exceeded.
Our guide on reading a tire size walks through the markings, and this one lists every load index and speed code.
Our three picks, side by side
One tire at each price level from what the retailer stocks in this size, with the mileage warranty and UTQG grades as published by the manufacturers and their retailers. Treadwear is the number to compare: it is a relative wear rate, so 700 should last roughly twice as long as 350 on the same car.
| Westlake SA07 Sport | Nitto NT555 G2 | Continental ExtremeContact | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per tire (Nov 13, 2026) | $124.96 | $188.99 | $237.99 |
| Set of four | $499.84 | $755.96 | $951.96 |
| Service description in 255/45R17 | — | — | — |
| Mileage warranty | see listing | no mileage warranty; workmanship warranty, pro rata to 2/32" | see listing |
| UTQG treadwear / traction / temperature | see listing | 320 AA A (typical, varies by size) | see listing |
| Season | see listing | Ultra-high-performance summer | see listing |
| Extras | — | — | — |
What 255/45R17 tires cost across the whole range
Of the 19 tires listed in this size, 12 are in stock today. The median is $195.99; a third of the tires cost $171.29 or less, and the top five percent start above $240.06. Those are per-tire prices before mounting and balancing, which adds $15 to $45 per tire at most shops, read from the retailer's feed Nov 13, 2026.
The same tires in neighboring sizes
The Westlake SA07 Sport, our budget pick here at $124.96, is also stocked in 235/35R19 ($112.96) and 245/50R19 ($135.96). The Nitto NT555 G2, our mid-range pick here at $188.99, is also stocked in 255/50R17 ($232.99), 315/35R17 ($287), 265/40R19 ($298) and 285/35R19 ($358). The Continental ExtremeContact, our premium pick here at $237.99, is also stocked in 285/40R17 ($300.99), 205/50R17 ($182.99), 215/45R17 ($176.99) and 225/45R17 ($174.99). Useful if your vehicle came with a different wheel package, or if you are comparing an upsize: the same tire usually costs more per inch of wheel, not per inch of rubber. Prices per tire, from the retailer's feed Nov 13, 2026.
Winter and this size: summer tires are not winter tires
Many tires sold in this size are summer tires, and the manufacturers advise against driving them in near-freezing temperatures: the compound hardens, grip drops sharply and the tread can crack. They also carry no M+S or 3PMSF marking, so a car on summer tires fails Colorado's Passenger Vehicle Traction Law outright on the 126 miles of I-70 between Dotsero and Morrison, in force from September 1 to May 31, unless it is all-wheel drive with at least 3/16 inch of tread; fines start at $130. If the car is driven year-round in a state with real winters, either run an all-season or all-weather tire in this size or keep a second set of winter tires, often on a smaller, narrower wheel that is also less expensive.
None of our picks in this size, the Nitto NT555 G2, carries the 3PMSF symbol; for that, look at the all-weather and winter tires.
Vehicles that use 255/45R17
- Chevrolet Corvette C4 (1988-1996, 17 in front)
- Ford Mustang Cobra R (1995)
Other years and wheel packages of the same models came on 255/50R16 or 285/40R17 instead, so read the placard inside the driver's door before you order.
Which type of 255/45R17 tire?
All-Season Tires
Drivers in the South, West Coast and mild parts of the Midwest who want one set of tires that lasts a long time and is quiet.
Summer Tires
Sports-car and performance-sedan owners, and anyone in a warm climate who wants the best possible grip and steering.
Performance Tires
Owners of sports sedans, hot hatches and performance crossovers who want year-round tires with real handling.
Frequently asked questions
How much do 255/45R17 tires cost?
Expect $91–$171 per tire for a budget brand, $171–$226 for a mid-range tire like the Nitto NT555 G2, and $226–$240 for a premium tire like the Continental ExtremeContact. A set of four therefore starts at about $364. Add roughly $15 to $45 per tire for mounting and balancing.
What vehicles use 255/45R17 tires?
255/45R17 is original equipment on Chevrolet Corvette C4 (1988-1996, 17 in front) and Ford Mustang Cobra R (1995), among others. Always confirm with the sticker inside your driver's door, because trim levels and wheel packages can change the size.
What is the best 255/45R17 tire?
For most drivers our mid-range pick, the Nitto NT555 G2, is the sweet spot of price and tread life. If you keep the vehicle a long time or drive in heavy rain and snow, the Continental ExtremeContact is worth the extra. On a tight budget the Westlake SA07 Sport is a sound choice.
Can I replace just one or two 255/45R17 tires?
On a front- or rear-wheel-drive car, yes: replace in pairs on the same axle and put the newer pair on the rear. On all-wheel-drive vehicles most makers want all four replaced together, or a new tire shaved to match, because a difference in circumference strains the drivetrain.