The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 sits at the end of the CLK line, blending coupe and cabriolet elegance with the crisp road manners buyers expect from a modern Mercedes-Benz grand touring car. By this point, tire fitment was very much part of the chassis tuning, and this model uses a staggered 17-inch radial setup with 225/45R17 in front and 245/40R17 in the rear. That means the decision is less about choosing between primary sizes and more about matching the front and rear positions correctly while comparing available series, brands, and sidewall treatments. Owners preserving the car's balanced stance should verify wheel setup carefully before mixing sizes or changing appearance.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 uses two primary tire sizes, both in metric radial form on 17-inch wheels. The key is identifying position before selecting a tire, because 225/45R17 belongs on the front and 245/40R17 belongs on the rear across the covered Base, Appearance Package, and Sport Package configurations. Once that staggered layout is confirmed, the real choice becomes tire series, brand, sidewall style, and wheel-width compatibility.
Fit(s): Base Front, w/Appearance Pkg. Front, and w/Sport Pkg. Front
Construction: Radial|Rim: 17 in
The 225/45R17 size uses a 225-millimeter section width, a 45-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 17-inch rim diameter. On the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350, this is the front tire size in the staggered setup, so it plays an important role in preserving the car's intended steering balance and appearance. Available choices include BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac options, with Blackwall, raised white letter, and Redline sidewall treatments across several series. This size is the one to evaluate when refining front-end response, visual style, and compatibility with the actual front wheel width on the car.
Fit(s): Base Rear, w/Appearance Pkg. Rear, and w/Sport Pkg. Rear
Construction: Radial|Rim: 17 in
The 245/40R17 size denotes a 245-millimeter section width, a 40-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 17-inch rim diameter. On the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350, it serves as the rear tire size, complementing the narrower front tire in the factory-style staggered arrangement. Product choices here center on BFGoodrich radial offerings in multiple g-Force series, all with Blackwall presentation and differing rim-width specifications and load figures. This is the size to confirm at the rear before purchase, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels or any suspension changes that could affect clearance.
Fitment is consistent across the covered CLK350 sub-models, with the same staggered radial setup used on Base, Appearance Package, and Sport Package versions. Checking the exact front or rear position still matters, since the two sizes are not interchangeable across the axle pair.
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2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 Base Front
The Base Front position uses the 225/45R17 radial size on a 17-inch wheel. Tire selection here focuses on matching the correct front fitment first, then comparing available brands, series, and sidewall styles to suit the car's appearance and road use.
The Base Rear position uses the wider 245/40R17 radial size on a 17-inch wheel. That rear-specific fitment should be confirmed before choosing among available radial series, especially if the car no longer carries its original wheel setup.
The Appearance Package Front position uses the same 225/45R17 radial tire size as the standard front setup. That keeps tire selection straightforward, with the main decisions centered on front-wheel compatibility, brand preference, and whether a Blackwall, RWL, or Redline look suits the car.
The Appearance Package Rear position uses 245/40R17 radial tires, matching the rear fitment used elsewhere in the covered range. Choosing the right tire here means preserving the staggered front-to-rear relationship and verifying rear wheel width before settling on a series.
The Sport Package Front position uses 225/45R17 radial tires on 17-inch wheels. Selection is largely about finding the right front tire within that size while keeping the car's staggered arrangement intact and checking compatibility with the actual front wheel.
The Sport Package Rear position uses 245/40R17 radial tires on 17-inch wheels. That wider rear size is part of the car's intended stance, so buyers should confirm wheel specs and rear clearance before changing tire series or replacing modified-wheel setups.
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 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 Tires for Sale
Available 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 tires center on 225/45R17 front and 245/40R17 rear radial options from BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac. Buyers can compare g-Force and Street Pro III series, mostly Blackwall styling, with select 225/45R17 choices also offered in RWL and Redline sidewall treatments.
These FAQs focus on the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350's staggered 17-inch tire setup, including front and rear sizing, rim fitment, sidewall choices, product selection, and the basic checks worth making before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350?
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 uses a staggered tire setup rather than one size at all four corners. The front size is 225/45R17 and the rear size is 245/40R17, with both sizes built in radial construction for 17-inch wheels.
That front-and-rear difference is important when replacing tires, because the two sizes serve different positions on the car. A buyer should confirm whether the tires being replaced are for the front axle or rear axle, then verify the actual wheel setup if the CLK350 has aftermarket wheels or prior modifications.
What size rim does a 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 use?
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 uses 17-inch rims with its primary tire fitment. Both 225/45R17 and 245/40R17 are built around a 17-inch rim diameter, so the front and rear tires share the same wheel diameter even though the tire widths and profiles differ.
Rim diameter is only the first check. Wheel width also matters, especially on a staggered car, because available products in these sizes have their own compatible rim-width ranges. Anyone replacing wheels, correcting a mixed setup, or buying tires for an unfamiliar car should confirm both front and rear wheel measurements before choosing tires.
Do all 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 sub-models share the same staggered sizing pattern. Base, Appearance Package, and Sport Package versions use 225/45R17 in front and 245/40R17 in the rear, all in radial construction on 17-inch rims.
The practical question is not which package changes the size, but which axle position you are shopping for. It still makes sense to inspect the actual wheels on the car, since a CLK350 may have been fitted with non-original wheels or replacement tire sizes at some point in its life.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 225/45R17 and 245/40R17 tire set for a 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350?
Start with the basic layout: 225/45R17 for the front and 245/40R17 for the rear, both on 17-inch wheels. From there, compare construction, brand, tire series, sidewall presentation, compatible rim-width range, and any stated load figures that matter to your intended use.
A balanced choice for this car means keeping the staggered arrangement intact and paying attention to how the tires will be used. A CLK350 driven regularly may call for a different product emphasis than one kept mainly for fair-weather use, and front-to-rear wheel dimensions should be confirmed before final selection.
What sidewall styles are available for 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 tires?
Most available 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 tires in these sizes use a Blackwall sidewall, especially in the 245/40R17 rear fitment. In 225/45R17 front fitment, additional appearance choices include raised white letter and Redline sidewall treatments through the Pro-Trac Street Pro III series.
Sidewall style changes the presentation of the car more than the fitment itself, so the first step is still choosing the correct front or rear size. After that, the visual decision comes down to whether the car looks best with a restrained Blackwall appearance or a more assertive period-inspired sidewall treatment.
What brands offer tires for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350?
Available tires for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 come from BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac. BFGoodrich appears in both front and rear sizes across several g-Force series, while Nitto and Pro-Trac are available in the 225/45R17 front size.
Brand alone should not decide the purchase. The more useful comparison is whether a given tire is offered in the correct position-specific size, whether its rim-width range matches the wheel on the car, and whether the sidewall style and series character align with how the CLK350 is driven and presented.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350?
A period-style choice for a 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 starts with preserving the correct staggered sizing: 225/45R17 front and 245/40R17 rear. Since this car is a modern grand touring Mercedes rather than an earlier bias-ply-era vehicle, the appearance decision is mainly about series character and sidewall treatment within correct radial sizes.
A restrained Blackwall presentation will keep the look close to what many buyers expect on a car from this era, while RWL or Redline choices create a more customized appearance. Owners pursuing exact historical authenticity should compare the car against original sales literature, option documentation, or marque-specific references before settling on appearance details.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350?
Construction is straightforward on the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 because its primary fitment is radial in both front and rear sizes. That means the visual differences come less from bias-ply versus radial shape and more from size accuracy, sidewall styling, and whether the tire looks appropriate on the chosen wheel.
Even on a later collector car, tire appearance still influences stance and overall presentation. A correctly sized staggered radial setup helps the car retain its intended front-to-rear proportion, while an off-size substitute or mismatched sidewall treatment can change the look quickly, especially when paired with non-original wheels.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 even when the nominal size looks correct. Aftermarket wheels, altered offsets, suspension changes, or body modifications can all influence how a 225/45R17 front or 245/40R17 rear tire sits within the wheelwell.
The safest approach is to measure the actual wheel diameter and width, then inspect front steering clearance and rear fender clearance before buying replacement tires. A staggered setup leaves less room for guesswork, so any CLK350 that no longer has its original-style wheel package deserves a closer fitment check.
What should I inspect before driving a 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect that the 225/45R17 tires are mounted at the front and the 245/40R17 tires are mounted at the rear, and confirm proper inflation for the car's requirements. It is also wise to check for any mounting damage, bead seating issues, rubbing, or obvious air loss after installation.
A short test drive should be followed by another visual inspection, especially on a car with staggered wheels. Look for uneven clearance at full steering lock, signs of contact inside the fenders, and anything unusual in ride behavior, since those issues often point to wheel-spec or installation problems rather than the tire alone.
How often should tires on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 be inspected?
Tires on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 should be inspected regularly, not just when tread looks worn. A visual check for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, and uneven wear is a sensible habit, and pressure should be monitored routinely because low-use cars can still lose air over time.
Regular inspection matters even more on a collector-kept or weekend-driven CLK350, where age and storage conditions may become bigger concerns than mileage. Looking over the tires before longer drives and after extended storage helps catch problems early, particularly on a staggered setup where front and rear tires are different sizes and cannot simply be rotated in the usual way.
