Is there any visible difference between 45 and 50 profile tires? Considering the different wheel sizes of our cars, you must try to figure out the best profile tires that will meet your needs.
Because a tire’s profile refers to the percentage of a tire’s width, you must consider which profile tires are for your cars. Your choice of tire profile will affect your car’s handling, response, and ride comfort.
However, is there any difference between 45 and 50 profile tires?
Table of Contents
Four notable differences between 45 and 50 profile tires
- Sidewall and Aspect Ratio
- Purpose for driving
- Tire Width Percentage
- Tire Size
Sidewall and Tire Aspect Ratio 45 vs 55
The ruling difference between 45 and 50 profile tires is in their sidewall. While it is true that the difference between the sidewall and aspect ratio of 45 and 50 profile tires is just 5%, 5% can make a lot of difference.
Calculating the 5% percentage differences for a 195mm tire will give a 9.75mm. This is enough difference to effect a change.
For instance, on a P255/45R18 103H tire, the 45% aspect ratio gives a sidewall height of 114 millimeters. Compared to a P255/50R18 103H that will provide a sidewall height of 127 millimeters.
As little as these differences may seem, they will affect your steering stability, safety, and overall car handling. A tire with a lower sidewall like 45 profile tires will achieve safer and improved handling compared to 50 profile tires.
The thing about aspect ratios is that they affect the entire size and diameter of your tire. This will mean that your 50 profile tire will have a wider rim than the 45 profile tire.
This might look too little to take into account, but you wouldn’t want your tires colliding with the body of your car.
This will also determine the comfort attained by using any of these tires. The differences in aspect ratio also help drivers to decide the best type of car that each of these tires should fit.
A 45% aspect ratio is a low-profile tire. Normal profile tire runs through the ranges of 60 – 65% aspect ratio. However, low profile tires like the 45 profile tires are a great choice for high-performance cars, this is because of the level of lateral stability that they provide.
Purpose for driving
Before you decide to take a step higher or lower, you must consider what you want to use those tires for. The aspect ratio and sidewall height decide the overall performance of a tire.
This makes 45 profile tires a suitable option for some rides and 50 profile tires a better fit for some other types of rides. For instance; if you want to go for some harsh driving, you need a 45 profile tire.
This will make it easier to maneuver turns and sharp bends. 50 profile tires are your usual companion for normal motorway and town driving.
However, you might not notice these differences; except you are a hardcore driver. 45 profile tires are usually thin tires. Its size impacts the type of rides that you can take them on.
However, some drivers believe that going for a higher profile tire provides more comfort and fuel conservation.
This is true because, with the larger rim size of a bigger aspect ratio, stability is maintained concerning its rolling resistance.
Tire Width Percentage
The tire width percentage of 45 profile tires is different from that of 50 profile tires. You define 45 and 50 profile tires by the percentage tire width that they handle.
45 profile tires handle 45% of the tire’s width while profile 50 covers 50% of the tire’s width.
The use of tire width percentage is not restricted to calculating the height of the tire’s sidewall. It also plays a great role in tire performance. The tire width percentage also determines the level of stability attained by these tires.
We have already established the fact that 45 profile tires are thinner. This is because their tire width percentage allows a lesser road surface area coverage.
However, its tire width percentage also determines its acceleration. Profile 50 attains a higher acceleration because the rolling radius increases. This does not only impact its speed but also ensures fuel economy.
Tire Size
A significant difference between 45 and 50 profile tyres is in their different sizes. Before you go on to choosing between a 45 or 50 profile tire, you must confirm if it hits your car’s suspension or fender.
45 and 50 profile tires have different sizes and this makes a big difference in the way they function.
This usually decides the type of cars that these tires will act as a perfect fit for. There are chances that a 50 profile tire will perfectly fill up the arches in your car, compared to 45 tires.
However, this greatly depends on the type of cars that you intend to fit your tires on. The 50 tires might provide your tires with a ‘balloonish’ fitting, or the exact fitting that you deserve.
This also boils down to the type of wheels that your preferred car runs on. 50 profile tires assume a larger size and this will require a larger wheel to compensate for its size.
What difference does tire profile make?
Does tire profile matter? From the vehicle’s traction, performance, handling, and cushion effect, tire profiles make a huge difference in the state of the tires. Tire profiles are the percentage of the tire’s width and the size of the sidewalls.
This greatly affects the rolling effect of the tire and its impact on the road. The tire profile of a tire makes a lot of differences. A tire with a low profile will have a shallower or smaller sidewall.
This also means that its tire width percentage is smaller than tires with high profiles. This does not generally imply that tires with smaller width percentages are not a good fit for the road.
What it implies is that they fit into different types of cars. Low-profile tires like 45 profile tires are used on high-performance car models. This does not interpret that they will not be a good fit for standard vehicles.
The differences in tire profiles are always visibly seen because the changes in sidewall height are a noticeable factor. Low-profile tires always look beautiful and smart.
They give that “techy” feel that gives your car a smart feel. Nevertheless, low-profile tires are fitted on larger wheels to compensate for the rolling diameter of the tires.
Because the tire’s profile impacts the tire’s diameter, it also affects its gearing, harmony with your car’s system, and even your speedometer readings.
Tire profiles do not only determine the traction and friction of the tires but also determine the state of your car’s suspension. This also determines the car’s handling and traction.
Can I use a 50 instead of a 45 tire?
Yes, you can use a profile 50 tire instead of a 45. The differences between these two tires are not much and you can easily pass through them. The difference between 50 and 45 is not more than an inch.
However, this narrative pushes the narration that using a 50 instead of a 45 tire affects the final drive ratio of the car.
This also determines the car’s performance during high speeds. There is a slight tendency that your speedometer readings might change if you use a 50 instead of a 45.
Generally, using a 50 instead of a 45 will provide a bigger tire diameter on your car. With a bigger diameter, you will modify your car’s acceleration and your car will travel far at less speeds.
This will give your speedometer and odometer the impression to read lesser digits. This will also affect the fuel readings and fuel economy.
On a positive side note, putting a 50 instead of a 45 will give you larger sidewalls that make it easier to maneuver and handle potholes.
Nevertheless, I wouldn’t advise that you use a 50 instead of a 45. Use the recommended tires, at the right time.
Where are lower tire profiles used?
Lower tire profiles are used on high-performance and sports cars. Lower profiles tires have a wide tread pattern and widths that make them great choices for racers and users of sports cars.
With the thinner and stiff sidewalls offered low-profile tires, you are assured of attaining a better traction level, road contact, and a balance with friction. This also includes an improvement in its brake performance.
A lot of users are bothered about mixing both types of tires. Is it possible to mix a lower profile tire with a regular or high profile tire? Yes, it is. You can blend your tires with any profile that you want, as long as they fit perfectly on the cars.
There are no rules that explain the exact positions that you should fit your lower profile into your cars. Just make sure that they meet the tire’s requirements, and you can even fit them on the wheels of your regular cars.