The 2002 Infiniti Q45 represents the later Y33-era flagship sedan, balancing V8 luxury-car presence with a more restrained, modern touring character than many earlier Japanese performance sedans. For owners today, tire choice is less about vintage construction and more about matching the car’s exact wheel package. The 2002 Infiniti Q45 uses radial tires in two different sizes: 225/55R17 for the Base model and 245/45R18 for the w/Premium Pkg. configuration. Available choices range from blackwall performance-oriented series to Silvertown Radial whitewall and redline offerings in 17-inch fitment. The first step is confirming which wheel and sub-model setup the car actually has before comparing style, series, and road-use priorities.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2002 Infiniti Q45
The 2002 Infiniti Q45 uses two primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. The Base model uses a 17-inch setup, while the w/Premium Pkg. version moves to an 18-inch setup. Before choosing a tire, confirm which wheels are on the car now, especially if it has been changed from its original configuration.
225/55R17 is a metric radial size that reads as 225 millimeters of nominal section width, a 55-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 17-inch rim diameter. On the 2002 Infiniti Q45, this is the 17-inch fitment used on the Base model, making wheel confirmation especially important before selection. Within this size, choices include BFGoodrich blackwall performance series as well as Silvertown Radial versions with wide whitewall or redline sidewall styling. This size suits owners who need the correct 17-inch fitment while deciding between a modern blackwall look and a more appearance-driven presentation.
245/45R18 is a metric radial size with a 245-millimeter nominal section width, a 45-series profile, radial construction, and an 18-inch rim diameter. For the 2002 Infiniti Q45, this size belongs to the w/Premium Pkg. configuration, so it should not be chosen simply because it is close in overall diameter to the 17-inch option. Available tires in this size include BFGoodrich performance-oriented g-Force series options and the Nitto NT555 G2, all in blackwall form. This fitment makes sense for owners matching the 18-inch wheel package and comparing brand, series, and rim-width compatibility within that setup.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 2002 Infiniti Q45 because the covered configurations do not share the same tire size or wheel diameter. Identifying whether the car is a Base model or a w/Premium Pkg. model is the key first step before narrowing down tire choices.
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2002 Infiniti Q45 Base
The 2002 Infiniti Q45 Base uses the 225/55R17 radial tire size on a 17-inch wheel package. That makes selection more about choosing the right product style within the correct size, including blackwall performance options or 17-inch whitewall and redline alternatives.
The 2002 Infiniti Q45 w/Premium Pkg. uses the 245/45R18 radial tire size on an 18-inch wheel package. Tire choice here centers on confirming the 18-inch setup first, then comparing the available blackwall performance-oriented series and their wheel-width requirements.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 2002 Infiniti Q45 Tires for Sale
Available 2002 Infiniti Q45 tires center on radial 17-inch and 18-inch fitments from BFGoodrich and Nitto. Buyers can compare blackwall performance series across both sizes, while the 225/55R17 fitment also adds Silvertown Radial options with wide whitewall or redline styling.
Common 2002 Infiniti Q45 tire questions usually come down to size by sub-model, 17-inch versus 18-inch wheel fitment, available sidewall and series choices, and the basic checks to make before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2002 Infiniti Q45?
A 2002 Infiniti Q45 uses one of two radial tire sizes, depending on the sub-model. The Base model uses 225/55R17, while the 2002 Infiniti Q45 w/Premium Pkg. uses 245/45R18. Both are modern metric radial sizes, but they are tied to different wheel diameters and should be treated as separate fitment paths.
The most important step is confirming which version of the Q45 you have and which wheels are actually on the car today. A car that has been modified with aftermarket wheels or swapped factory wheels may no longer match the original sub-model fitment, so wheel diameter should be checked before comparing tire options.
What size rim does a 2002 Infiniti Q45 use?
The 2002 Infiniti Q45 uses either a 17-inch or 18-inch rim, depending on the sub-model. The Base model uses a 17-inch rim with 225/55R17 tires, and the w/Premium Pkg. model uses an 18-inch rim with 245/45R18 tires. Those rim diameters are built directly into the tire sizes themselves.
That means the tire choice starts with the wheel, not just the overall tire dimensions. Even though the two sizes are close in outside diameter, a 17-inch tire cannot mount on an 18-inch wheel, and an 18-inch tire cannot mount on a 17-inch wheel. Checking the wheel before ordering prevents the most basic fitment mistake.
Do all 2002 Infiniti Q45 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 2002 Infiniti Q45 Base uses 225/55R17, while the 2002 Infiniti Q45 w/Premium Pkg. uses 245/45R18. Both are radial tires, but they belong to different wheel packages. The difference is not just width or profile; it also includes a different rim diameter between the two sub-models.
That distinction matters because tire selection cannot be made by model name alone. Owners should verify the exact sub-model and also confirm whether the car still has its matching wheel setup. Once that is settled, the decision becomes much easier, since product comparison stays within the correct size and wheel category.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 2002 Infiniti Q45 tire?
Start with the correct size for the specific Q45 configuration: 225/55R17 for the Base model or 245/45R18 for the w/Premium Pkg. model. From there, compare radial construction details such as tire series, brand, sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, and load figures where they are given. Those are the points that meaningfully separate one option from another.
Appearance and intended use also shape the decision. A blackwall performance-oriented tire creates a different presentation than a whitewall or redline Silvertown Radial, and each suits a different ownership goal. It also helps to confirm whether the car is used mainly for regular driving, occasional weekend use, or a more appearance-focused build.
What sidewall styles are available for 2002 Infiniti Q45 tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size. In 225/55R17, the 2002 Infiniti Q45 has blackwall choices along with Silvertown Radial options in wide whitewall and redline form. In 245/45R18, the available products are blackwall tires. That makes the 17-inch fitment the one with the broader appearance range.
The practical effect is simple: owners of a Base-model 17-inch Q45 can choose between a more modern understated look and a stronger visual statement. Owners with the 18-inch Premium Package fitment are focused more on series and brand comparison within blackwall offerings. Matching sidewall style to the car’s overall presentation usually narrows the field quickly.
What brands offer tires for the 2002 Infiniti Q45?
BFGoodrich appears across both 2002 Infiniti Q45 fitments, covering several radial tire series in 225/55R17 and 245/45R18. Nitto is also available in 245/45R18 through the NT555 G2. That means brand comparison is broader in the 18-inch fitment, while the 17-inch fitment is centered on BFGoodrich options with more visible sidewall variety.
Brand matters most after size and wheel diameter are confirmed. Once the correct fitment is established, compare each tire’s series character, sidewall treatment, and approved rim-width range rather than assuming one name answers the whole decision. On a sedan like the Q45, the right choice usually balances visual preference with how the car is actually driven.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2002 Infiniti Q45?
A period-style 2002 Infiniti Q45 starts with keeping the correct sub-model size in place. The Base model’s 225/55R17 fitment offers the most appearance flexibility, including Silvertown Radial choices with wide whitewall or redline sidewalls, while the 245/45R18 Premium Package fitment is available in blackwall performance-oriented styles. The right visual approach depends on whether the car is being kept understated or given a more custom presentation.
Using the correct size and wheel diameter matters more than forcing a certain look onto the car. Owners aiming for a specific showroom-era or enthusiast-era appearance should compare photos, brochures, and marque-specific references before settling on a sidewall treatment. That helps keep the tire choice visually coherent with the rest of the vehicle.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2002 Infiniti Q45 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because the 2002 Infiniti Q45 used different sizes across its covered sub-models. A restoration-oriented car should keep the proper 17-inch or 18-inch size relationship intact before any appearance choice is made. The tire’s sidewall style and series can change the presentation, but they should follow the basic fitment, not replace it.
That is especially important on a later luxury sedan where wheel package, stance, and tire proportions all affect the finished look. Even when a tire has the right general style, the wrong size can make the car look off-balance. Verifying the actual wheel setup first keeps the restoration grounded in the way the car was configured.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2002 Infiniti Q45?
Yes. A 2002 Infiniti Q45 may no longer follow its original fitment if it has aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, or a wheel package swapped from another version. Since this model uses both 17-inch and 18-inch factory-style fitment paths, modifications can quickly change what size is appropriate. Tire choice should be matched to the wheel actually on the car.
Ride height changes, different wheel widths, and altered offsets can also affect clearance at the fender, suspension, and steering components. That is why wheel diameter alone is not the full answer on a modified car. Measuring the current setup before replacing tires helps avoid preventable fitment problems and keeps the car usable on the road.
What should I inspect before driving a 2002 Infiniti Q45 on new tires?
Before driving a 2002 Infiniti Q45 on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and condition, confirm that each tire matches the car’s actual fitment, and check inflation pressure. It also makes sense to look at suspension and steering components for visible wear, especially on a heavier luxury sedan where alignment and tire behavior are closely linked.
A short test drive should be followed by another quick inspection for rubbing, uneven seating, or pressure loss. Any vibration, pull, or clearance issue deserves attention immediately rather than being dismissed as a break-in quirk. Catching those details early protects the new tires and helps the car deliver the smooth, composed feel expected from a Q45.
How often should tires on a 2002 Infiniti Q45 be inspected?
Tires on a 2002 Infiniti Q45 should be inspected regularly, not just when tread looks low. Pressure, tread wear, sidewall condition, and signs of cuts, bulges, or cracking all deserve routine attention. On a low-mileage or collector-kept car, age and storage conditions can matter as much as miles, especially if the car sits for long periods.
Monthly pressure checks and a visual inspection before longer drives are sensible habits. It is also worth checking after seasonal storage or any period of disuse, since flat spotting or gradual air loss can show up on cars that are not driven often. Regular inspection helps preserve ride quality and catches small problems before they become road-use issues.
