Acura RL Tires
Acura RL served as Acura’s flagship luxury sedan from 1996 through 2012, blending front-wheel-drive refinement, later all-wheel-drive sophistication, and a distinctly modern approach to premium Japanese sedan design. Across that long run, Acura RL evolved from a comfort-oriented executive car into a more performance-minded sedan with larger wheels and lower-profile tires. Tire selection is not completely straightforward because the Acura RL moved through several size changes, including a shift in wheel diameter and a brief overlap period where two different metric radial sizes appear in the same years. Before choosing a tire, the first step is confirming whether the car carries 16-inch, 17-inch, 460mm, or 18-inch wheels.
Acura RL Tire Size Guide
Acura RL production changed wheel diameters during its 1996 to 2012 run, moving from 16-inch fitments to 17-inch, then a 460mm metric fitment, and finally 18-inch fitments, with the first change appearing in 2005. This model group uses 5 distinct tire sizes across those years. Most Acura RL sizes here are modern metric radial sizes, while 245-680R460 is a metric-millimeter radial size that pairs a 245mm section width with a 680mm overall diameter and a 460mm rim.
215/60R16 is the early Acura RL size used from 1996 through 2001. The code indicates a 215mm section width, a 60-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim diameter. Choose this size for 1996-2001 cars that still wear the original 16-inch wheel diameter rather than the later larger-wheel fitments.
225/55R16 fits Acura RL models from 2002 through 2004 and is the later 16-inch size before the move to larger wheels. The code means 225mm section width, 55-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim, which matches the available products. Choose this size for 2002-2004 cars on 16-inch wheels; available products in this size are blackwall radials.
245/50R17 applies to Acura RL models from 2005 through 2008 equipped with the inch-based 17-inch wheel fitment. The code identifies a 245mm section width, a 50-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 17-inch rim diameter. Choose this size only after confirming the car has 17-inch wheels, since some 2006-2008 Acura RL sedans are listed with a different metric-millimeter rim size.
245-680R460 is used on certain Acura RL models from 2006 through 2008 alongside the 17-inch alternative. The code denotes a 245mm section width, a 680mm overall diameter, radial construction, and a 460mm rim diameter rather than an inch-based wheel. Choose this size only for cars fitted with the 460mm wheel system, since it is not interchangeable with the 17-inch fitment.
245/45R18 is the late Acura RL size used from 2009 through 2012. The code means 245mm section width, 45-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and an 18-inch rim diameter, which matches the available products. Choose this size for 2009-2012 cars on 18-inch wheels; current offerings include blackwall radials from more than one brand.
Acura RL Tires by Year
The year listing breaks Acura RL fitment down by production year so you can match the car to the correct size before moving on to product choices. Acura RL production changed from 16-inch to 17-inch wheels in 2005, and 2006 through 2008 also include a 460mm wheel fitment alongside the 17-inch option. The 2006, 2007, and 2008 listings show more than one size, so those years require you to identify the actual wheel system on the car rather than relying on model year alone.
1996 Acura RL
- 215/60R16
1997 Acura RL
- 215/60R16
1998 Acura RL
- 215/60R16
1999 Acura RL
- 215/60R16
2000 Acura RL
- 215/60R16
2001 Acura RL
- 215/60R16
2002 Acura RL
- 225/55R16
2003 Acura RL
- 225/55R16
2004 Acura RL
- 225/55R16
2005 Acura RL
- 245/50R17
2006 Acura RL
- 245/50R17
- 245-680R460
2007 Acura RL
- 245/50R17
- 245-680R460
2008 Acura RL
- 245/50R17
- 245-680R460
2009 Acura RL
- 245/45R18
2010 Acura RL
- 245/45R18
2011 Acura RL
- 245/45R18
2012 Acura RL
- 245/45R18
Best Acura RL Tires for Sale
Available products currently cover 2 sizes across 2 brands and 6 total products. These offerings are for blackwall radial tires, so confirm the exact Acura RL year, tire size, and rim diameter before selecting.
225/55R16 Products
These are the available products for 225/55R16.
245/45R18 Products
These are the available products for 245/45R18.
Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQ below addresses the Acura RL size changes from 16-inch to 17-inch, 460mm, and 18-inch wheels, along with the special 2006-2008 overlap years and the available modern radial product options for later fitments.
Size Basics & Fitment
Acura RL uses five tire sizes across the 1996-2012 production run. The 1996-2001 cars use 215/60R16, 2002-2004 cars use 225/55R16, 2005-2008 cars may use 245/50R17, 2006-2008 cars may also use 245-680R460, and 2009-2012 cars use 245/45R18. Those sizes correspond to 16-inch, 16-inch, 17-inch, 460mm, and 18-inch rim diameters respectively.
The practical takeaway is that year alone is not always enough, especially for 2006 through 2008 Acura RL sedans. Check the tire sidewall already on the car, confirm the wheel diameter directly, and compare that information against the year listing before selecting a replacement.
A 2006 Acura RL can be fitted with either 245/50R17 or 245-680R460. That is a wheel-system split rather than two interchangeable versions of the same tire, because one size is built for a 17-inch rim and the other is built for a 460mm rim. The same pattern continues through 2007 and 2008.
That difference matters because a 17-inch tire does not belong on a 460mm wheel, and a 460mm tire does not belong on a 17-inch wheel. If your Acura RL falls in those overlap years, inspect the wheel and existing tire markings first, then match the replacement to the actual rim system on the car.
Acura RL used more than one rim diameter over its production life. Early cars ran 16-inch sizes, 2005-2008 introduced a 17-inch fitment, certain 2006-2008 cars used a 460mm metric wheel instead, and 2009-2012 cars moved to 18-inch wheels. The first wheel-diameter change from the original 16-inch setup appears in 2005.
That progression makes wheel confirmation one of the most important steps on an Acura RL. If the car is from 1996-2004 or 2009-2012, year usually narrows the answer quickly, but 2006-2008 owners should verify the actual wheel diameter on the car before moving forward.
Buying the Right Tire
Start with the model year, then compare it to the known Acura RL size progression: 215/60R16 for 1996-2001, 225/55R16 for 2002-2004, 245/50R17 for 2005-2008, 245-680R460 for some 2006-2008 cars, and 245/45R18 for 2009-2012. The overlap years are the only ones where two different wheel systems appear under the same model year.
The best check is the actual tire sidewall and wheel diameter on the car in your garage. If those markings agree with the year listing, you have a strong fitment match; if they do not, treat the existing wheel setup as the deciding factor and verify whether the car has been changed from its original wheel type.
The currently listed Acura RL products use blackwall sidewall styling. That applies to the available 225/55R16 and 245/45R18 offerings. No alternate sidewall style appears among the listed products for those sizes.
Blackwall styling suits the Acura RL’s modern luxury-sport character and is consistent with how many late-model flagship sedans were presented. If sidewall appearance matters to your project, compare the available blackwall options within the correct size first, then weigh tread design and brand alongside the visual look.
The listed Acura RL products come from BFGoodrich and Nitto. BFGoodrich appears in both 225/55R16 and 245/45R18, while Nitto appears in 245/45R18. All listed products are radial blackwall tires.
Brand choice becomes most relevant for the later sizes that have current product coverage. Once you have confirmed the correct Acura RL size and wheel diameter, compare the available brands within that size rather than assuming a product in a nearby size or different wheel diameter will serve as an acceptable substitute.
Maintenance & Longevity
An Acura RL should be stored on a clean, dry surface away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Keep the tires inflated to an appropriate pressure for storage, and avoid letting the car sit for long periods with visibly underinflated tires. Clean tires and wheels before storage so road salts and brake dust do not remain in contact with the rubber.
If the Acura RL will sit for an extended period, move it occasionally to avoid creating flat spots or use methods that reduce continuous load on one contact patch. Good storage habits matter on performance-oriented, lower-profile tires because they can show age, deformation, and sidewall stress sooner when neglected.
Tires on an Acura RL should be inspected regularly even if the car is driven only occasionally. Check inflation, tread wear pattern, sidewall cracking, punctures, and any vibration or pulling that develops during use. A seasonal inspection schedule is sensible for low-mileage collector use, with an additional check before highway driving or long trips.
Regular inspections help catch aging, alignment issues, and wheel damage before they become expensive or unsafe. On an Acura RL, that is especially useful because the model spans several wheel diameters and some owners may inherit cars with replacement wheels or tires that do not match the intended fitment.
Tires on an Acura RL should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, bulges, repeated air loss, impact damage, or irregular wear indicate the casing is no longer sound, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector and low-mileage cars often age tires out before they wear them out. Visible condition and professional inspection matter more than tread depth alone on a lightly driven luxury sedan.
That is especially important on Acura RL models using lower-profile later sizes, where ride and handling can mask aging until the tire is already compromised. If a car has sat for years, have the tires examined before regular road use, and do not assume a clean-looking tire is automatically fit for continued service.
Restoration & Authenticity
Acura RL originally used different tire sizes over its production run rather than one single fitment. The known sequence is 215/60R16 for 1996-2001, 225/55R16 for 2002-2004, 245/50R17 and in some cases 245-680R460 for 2006-2008, and 245/45R18 for 2009-2012. That means originality depends first on the exact year and wheel system.
For a restoration-minded owner, the most authentic result comes from matching the tire size to the original wheel diameter used on that specific Acura RL. If the car has changed hands several times or has aftermarket wheels, compare the current setup against factory literature, window stickers, or marque-specific reference material before deciding what belongs on the car.
Correct tire fitment can affect how an Acura RL is perceived in both enthusiast and collector settings, particularly when the car is being presented as well-preserved or accurately restored. A tire that matches the proper wheel diameter and intended overall stance helps the car look right and preserves the design balance Acura engineered into the RL across its different generations.
Judging standards vary, but obvious mismatches in wheel diameter, sidewall proportion, or tire type tend to stand out quickly. Owners who care about presentation should make the tire size part of the authenticity review, alongside wheels, suspension height, and trim details, rather than treating tires as a generic maintenance item.
Blackwall is the sidewall style shown among the available Acura RL products. That appearance suits the RL’s modern luxury-sport era and aligns with the understated presentation expected on flagship Japanese sedans from the late 1990s through early 2010s. No alternate sidewall treatment appears among the listed current products.
For a restoration or preservation-focused Acura RL, the cleanest approach is to stay with the correct size and a blackwall sidewall that preserves the car’s original visual character. Sidewall appearance should follow fitment, so verify the proper wheel diameter and tire size first, then choose the blackwall option that best matches the intended use of the car.
Safety & Road Use
A properly sized, professionally installed tire in the correct wheel diameter can be suitable for public-road use on an Acura RL, provided the rest of the car is in sound mechanical condition. The listed current products are modern radial designs in later Acura RL sizes, which suits the model’s luxury-sedan road use. Safety still depends on correct size, proper load capability, inflation, alignment, and tire condition.
Road use becomes questionable when an Acura RL carries aged tires, mismatched sizes, or the wrong wheel diameter for the tire installed. Before regular driving, confirm the exact fitment, inspect the tires closely, and correct any issues with pressure, wear pattern, or wheel compatibility rather than assuming any 16-inch, 17-inch, metric, or 18-inch tire will interchange safely.
Before driving an Acura RL, check tire pressure, sidewall condition, tread wear, and the wheel diameter against the tire size fitted. Make sure the car is not running a 17-inch tire on a 460mm wheel or the reverse, since those overlap-era fitments are not interchangeable. Also look for vibration, uneven wear, or signs of impact damage that could indicate alignment or suspension issues.
A short walk-around and pressure check can prevent most avoidable tire problems on a low-use Acura RL. If the car has recently been purchased or has been stored for a long period, add a more thorough inspection of tire age, spare condition, and wheel markings before putting any meaningful mileage on it.
An Acura RL should only be driven at speeds appropriate to the condition, age, and specification of the actual tires fitted, not simply the capability of the car itself. Modern radial replacements in the correct size are very different from aged or neglected tires, even when the tread appears acceptable. A sound Acura RL on fresh, properly matched tires can be used normally within the tire’s service category and legal road conditions.
The key point is that speed should rise only after fitment and condition have been verified. If the Acura RL has older tires, uncertain age, or a recently acquired wheel-and-tire setup, begin conservatively and have the assembly evaluated before sustained higher-speed driving, especially on the later low-profile 17-inch, 460mm, and 18-inch fitments.