Popular Tyre Sizes in Ghana and What They Mean
These are the tyre sizes customers ask for most at our shop in Abossey Okai. If your car uses one of them, this guide tells you what the numbers mean, what kind of vehicle they fit, and what to check before you buy. Always confirm your exact size on your current tyre or the sticker inside the driver's door.
Short version: the first number is the width in millimetres, the second is the sidewall height as a percentage of the width, R means radial, and the last number is the wheel size in inches. Never change size without checking with a tyre professional, because it affects your speedometer, handling and load capacity.
Popular saloon and hatchback sizes
| Size | Width | Sidewall | Wheel | Usually fitted to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 205/55R16 | 205 mm | 55% (about 113 mm) | 16 inch | Everyday saloons and hatchbacks |
| 225/45R17 | 225 mm | 45% (about 101 mm) | 17 inch | Larger saloons, sportier trims |
| 225/45R18 | 225 mm | 45% (about 101 mm) | 18 inch | Larger saloons with bigger wheels |
| 235/40R19 | 235 mm | 40% (about 94 mm) | 19 inch | Sport and top-trim saloons |
205/55R16 is one of the most common car sizes in the world, so it is easy to find in every brand and price level.
225/45 and 235/40 sizes are low-profile tyres. The short sidewall gives sharper steering, but there is less rubber to absorb a pothole. On our roads, these tyres and their rims are more likely to get side bumps or bent rims from hard impacts. Slow down for potholes and keep the pressure at the recommended level, not higher.
Popular SUV sizes
| Size | Width | Sidewall | Wheel | Usually fitted to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 225/65R17 | 225 mm | 65% (about 146 mm) | 17 inch | Compact and mid-size SUVs |
| 235/60R18 | 235 mm | 60% (about 141 mm) | 18 inch | Mid-size SUVs |
| 235/55R19 | 235 mm | 55% (about 129 mm) | 19 inch | Mid-size SUVs with larger wheels |
SUV tyres carry more weight, so the load index matters. It is the number just after the size, such as 102 or 104. Your new tyre should have the same load index as the original or higher. Read more in how to choose tyres for an SUV or pickup.
What to check before you buy
- Exact size. 225/45R17 and 225/45R18 look similar but fit different rims.
- Load index and speed rating. Match or exceed your car's original rating.
- Date code. Check the four-digit DOT code to see when the tyre was made. See how to check how old a tyre is, or use our tyre date code decoder.
- Tubeless. Modern car and SUV tyres in these sizes are tubeless. See tubeless vs tube-type tyres.
Can I change to a different size?
Sometimes, but only with care. A different overall diameter makes your speedometer read wrong and can affect ABS and stability systems. If you are thinking about bigger rims or a different size, check the difference first with our tyre size and speedometer calculator, and read how tyre size changes your speedometer reading.
Which brand should I choose in these sizes?
All of these sizes are available from the brands we sell, including Bridgestone, Michelin, Hankook and Otani. To compare them, read Bridgestone, Michelin, Hankook and Otani tyres in Ghana.
Keep them lasting
A good tyre in any of these sizes usually lasts about 24 months on Ghana roads with normal driving. To get the full life from them, keep the pressure at the figure on your door sticker, have them rotated, and check alignment if the car pulls. See how long do car tyres last.