255/50R17 tires
Prices, best picks and current deals for 255/50R17, a common size on performance cars. It fits the Chevrolet Impala SS, Chevrolet Caprice and more.
Yes, this fits your Chevrolet Caprice. 255/50R17 is the original size on the 1994-1996 Chevrolet Caprice.
The sticker inside the driver's door is still the final word, because trim and wheel package can change the size. Back to every Chevrolet Caprice size.
What 255/50R17 tires cost
Nankang NS-2
Lowest price that still brakes and wears acceptably. Fine for a second car or low annual mileage.
Nitto NT555 G2
The value sweet spot: long mileage warranty, solid wet grip, sane price.
Listed as Nitto NT555 G2 255/50ZR17 101W UHP Passenger Tires
BFGoodrich g-Force Comp-2 A/S Plus
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.
Prices are per tire, before mounting and balancing. A set of four in the mid range comes to roughly $932 to $932, and a brand rebate can take another $50 to $110 off, see this month's deals.
Cheapest 255/50R17 right now
Hankook Ventus ST (RH06) 255/50R17 101W All Season SUV/Crossover Tires
$210.99per tire $421.98 for 2 tires · $843.96 for 4
3 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 255/50R17 tire in stock at SimpleTire
About the 255/50R17 size
The 1994-1996 Impala SS size, P255/50ZR17 on the 17x8.5 five-spoke wheel, originally a BFGoodrich Comp T/A ZR. It is a tall, wide 17 in tire (27.0 in diameter) that the modern market has largely left behind, so the list of current models is short and leans toward aftermarket performance rather than touring. No bias or whitewall relevance. A practical note for a heavy car: check the load index, several models in this size are rated only 100 to 103, and an Impala SS is over 4000 lb before passengers.
What the numbers on the sidewall mean
A 255/50R17 tire is 255 millimeters wide, its sidewall is 50 percent of that (about 5.0 inches tall), and it mounts on a 17-inch wheel. That works out to an overall diameter of roughly 27 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.
| Nankang NS-2 | Nitto NT555 G2 | BFGoodrich g-Force Comp-2 A/S Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per tire (Nov 13, 2026) | not stocked today | $232.99 | not stocked today |
| Set of four | — | $931.96 | — |
| Service description in 255/50R17 | — | — | — |
| 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 255/50R17 tires cost across the whole range
Of the 4 tires listed in this size, 3 are in stock today. The lowest price is the Hankook Ventus ST (RH06) at $210.99, a 101W tire. The median is $232.99; a third of the tires cost $232.99 or less, and the top five percent start above $237. 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 Nitto NT555 G2, our mid-range pick here at $232.99, is also stocked in 255/45R17 ($188.99), 315/35R17 ($287), 265/40R19 ($298) and 285/35R19 ($358). 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 255/50R17
- Chevrolet Impala SS (1994-1996)
- Chevrolet Caprice (1994-1996, 17 in wheel package)
Other years and wheel packages of the same models came on 205/75R15 or 225/70R15 instead, so read the placard inside the driver's door before you order.
Which type of 255/50R17 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 255/50R17 tires cost?
Expect $211–$233 per tire for a budget brand, $233–$233 for a mid-range tire like the Nitto NT555 G2, and $233–$237 for a premium tire like the BFGoodrich g-Force Comp-2 A/S Plus. A set of four therefore starts at about $844. Add roughly $15 to $45 per tire for mounting and balancing.
What vehicles use 255/50R17 tires?
255/50R17 is original equipment on Chevrolet Impala SS (1994-1996) and Chevrolet Caprice (1994-1996, 17 in wheel package), 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 255/50R17 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 BFGoodrich g-Force Comp-2 A/S Plus is worth the extra. On a tight budget the Nankang NS-2 is a sound choice.
Can I replace just one or two 255/50R17 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.