The 2012 Audi A4 sits in the modern sport-sedan sweet spot, blending Audi’s understated styling with the balanced road manners that made the A4 a staple for drivers who wanted refinement without giving up responsive handling. Tire choice matters on this car because fitment varies by sub-model and wheel package, with 245/45R17, 245/40R18, and 255/35R19 radial sizes all used on 17-, 18-, and 19-inch rims. Available choices range from blackwall performance radials to redline and raised white letter options in certain sizes. The key is matching the tire to the exact wheel diameter and sub-model before comparing appearance, series, and intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2012 Audi A4
The 2012 Audi A4 uses three primary tire sizes, and the right one depends first on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. All three are metric radial sizes, but they are split across 17-, 18-, and 19-inch rims, so confirming the wheel setup comes before comparing tire series, sidewall style, or performance-oriented product choices.
A 245/40R18 tire is a metric radial with a 245-millimeter nominal section width, a 40-series aspect ratio, and fitment for an 18-inch rim. On the 2012 Audi A4, this size supports a lower-profile setup than the 17-inch alternative while remaining a primary fitment rather than a substitute size. Available choices include blackwall performance tires from BFGoodrich, Nitto, and M&H Racemaster, plus Pro-Trac Street Pro III options with redline or raised white letter styling. This size makes sense when the car is already equipped with 18-inch wheels and the goal is to balance correct fitment with the preferred mix of appearance and road use.
A 245/45R17 tire uses the same 245-millimeter nominal width as the 18-inch version, but its 45-series profile is paired with a 17-inch rim. For the 2012 Audi A4, it is one of the primary radial fitments and is associated with a different wheel diameter than the larger wheel packages, so the wheel itself must be confirmed before selection. Product choices include blackwall tires from BFGoodrich, Nitto, and M&H Racemaster, along with Pro-Trac Street Pro III versions in redline and raised white letter form. This size is the right path when the car retains its 17-inch setup and the decision centers on tread style, sidewall presentation, and intended driving use.
A 255/35R19 tire is a metric radial with a wider 255-millimeter nominal section width, a 35-series profile, and fitment for a 19-inch rim. On the 2012 Audi A4, this size is tied to a specific sub-model rather than the broader A4 range, so it should not be treated as universal across all configurations. Available products in this size come from BFGoodrich in blackwall form across the g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, and g-Force Phenom T/A series. It is the correct size to evaluate when the car has the 19-inch wheel package and the priority is staying with the proper dimensions for that setup.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 2012 Audi A4 because tire size is not the same across the full range. The first step is identifying whether the car is a Base model or an S Line, then confirming the wheel diameter already on the vehicle.
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2012 Audi A4 Base
The 2012 Audi A4 Base uses two primary radial fitments tied to different wheel diameters, so tire choice depends on whether the car has the 17-inch or 18-inch setup. That makes wheel confirmation more important than brand comparison, since sidewall styling and tire series can only be narrowed down after the correct size is established.
The 2012 Audi A4 S Line uses the 255/35R19 radial size, which separates it from the Base model’s 17- and 18-inch fitments. Tire selection here is more straightforward, with the main decision shifting to series choice and making sure the 19-inch wheel width and overall setup still match the tire.
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 2012 Audi A4 Tires for Sale
Available 2012 Audi A4 tires span 17-, 18-, and 19-inch radial fitments from BFGoodrich, Nitto, M&H Racemaster, and Pro-Trac. Depending on size, shoppers can compare blackwall performance tires, drag-oriented options, and select redline or raised white letter sidewall treatments.
These 2012 Audi A4 tire FAQs focus on the exact size for each sub-model, wheel-diameter fitment, radial-only construction, available brands and sidewall styles, and the checks worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2012 Audi A4?
The 2012 Audi A4 uses three primary tire sizes: 245/45R17, 245/40R18, and 255/35R19. The Base model uses 245/45R17 and 245/40R18, while the S Line uses 255/35R19. All of these are radial sizes, and each one is tied to a specific wheel diameter.
Choosing the right one starts with the car’s exact sub-model and the wheels currently installed. A 17-inch, 18-inch, or 19-inch wheel requires its matching tire size, so checking the wheel before comparing brands or sidewall styles avoids ordering a tire that belongs to a different A4 configuration.
What size rim does a 2012 Audi A4 use?
A 2012 Audi A4 can use 17-inch, 18-inch, or 19-inch rims depending on the tire size and sub-model. The 245/45R17 fits a 17-inch rim, the 245/40R18 fits an 18-inch rim, and the 255/35R19 fits a 19-inch rim.
That means rim diameter is the first fitment checkpoint on this car. Once the diameter is confirmed, it also helps to compare wheel width against the tire being considered, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels or a package different from its original setup.
Do all 2012 Audi A4 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 2012 Audi A4 Base and S Line do not share one universal tire size. Base models use either 245/45R17 or 245/40R18, while the S Line uses 255/35R19, so tire fitment changes with the sub-model and wheel package.
That difference matters because the sizes are attached to different rim diameters and slightly different tire proportions. Before selecting a tire, confirm the exact sub-model and inspect the actual wheels on the car, since previous owners may have changed wheels or moved the vehicle away from its original setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 2012 Audi A4 tire?
Start with the correct primary size for the car: 245/45R17, 245/40R18, or 255/35R19 depending on sub-model and wheel diameter. From there, compare tire series, sidewall treatment, rim-width suitability, and any special-use attributes such as drag-oriented construction versus general road-focused performance tires.
The best choice depends on how the A4 is actually driven and how it is equipped today. A car on factory-style street wheels may call for a different tire than one used for specialized performance driving, and sidewall styling matters only after the correct size and wheel compatibility are confirmed.
What sidewall styles are available for 2012 Audi A4 tires?
Blackwall is the most common sidewall style across the available 2012 Audi A4 tire sizes. In the 245/40R18 and 245/45R17 sizes, Pro-Trac Street Pro III tires also offer redline and RWL, giving those two fitments more visual variety than the 255/35R19 size.
That means appearance choice depends on which wheel diameter the car uses. If the goal is a cleaner modern look, blackwall options are broad across all sizes, while 17-inch and 18-inch cars can also be tailored toward a more custom or period-inspired presentation with redline or raised white letter sidewalls.
What brands offer tires for the 2012 Audi A4?
Tires for the 2012 Audi A4 are available from BFGoodrich, Nitto, M&H Racemaster, and Pro-Trac, depending on the size. BFGoodrich appears across all three primary sizes, while Nitto, M&H Racemaster, and Pro-Trac are offered in the 17-inch and 18-inch fitments.
Brand comparison should follow size confirmation, not replace it. Once the correct fitment is established, the useful differences become tire series, sidewall appearance, rim-width range, and intended use, rather than assuming every brand has the same options in every A4 wheel and sub-model combination.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2012 Audi A4?
A period-style 2012 Audi A4 starts with the correct modern radial size for the car’s actual wheel setup, then narrows the choice by sidewall appearance and tire character. Base models have the broadest styling range in 245/45R17 and 245/40R18, while the S Line’s 255/35R19 options stay focused on blackwall performance-style tires.
For a more understated original-era look, blackwall choices usually suit the A4’s factory-era appearance best. If the car is being personalized rather than restored in a strictly stock direction, the available redline and raised white letter options in the 17- and 18-inch sizes create a more custom presentation without changing the primary fitment size.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2012 Audi A4?
On the 2012 Audi A4, construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are radial. That keeps the visual difference centered more on sidewall style, tire profile, and wheel diameter than on a bias-ply-versus-radial decision, which is more common on older collector vehicles.
Appearance still changes noticeably with size choice, since 17-, 18-, and 19-inch fitments give the car different proportions. A restoration-minded owner should first keep the tire size matched to the correct sub-model and wheel package, then choose between blackwall, redline, or raised white letter styling where those options exist.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2012 Audi A4?
Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 2012 Audi A4 even when the tire size itself is one of the correct primary sizes. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, suspension changes, and body or fender modifications can all affect clearance and how the tire sits on the car.
A modified A4 should be checked for wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at full steering lock and through suspension travel before a new set is chosen. That is especially important on the 19-inch setup, where fitment margins can become tighter if the car no longer matches stock wheel or suspension geometry.
What should I inspect before driving a 2012 Audi A4 on new tires?
Before driving a 2012 Audi A4 on new tires, inspect wheel condition, confirm the correct tire size for the rim diameter, and check that inflation is set appropriately for the tire and vehicle setup. It also helps to look over the suspension and steering components so the tires are not being asked to work around worn hardware.
A short initial road test can reveal rubbing, vibration, or alignment issues that were not obvious in the garage. After that first drive, recheck tire pressure and look for any signs of contact at the fenders or inner wheel wells, especially if the car has non-stock wheels or has been lowered.
How often should tires on a 2012 Audi A4 be inspected?
Tires on a 2012 Audi A4 should be inspected regularly, not just when tread appears low. Frequent checks for pressure loss, uneven wear, cuts, bulges, and sidewall damage are worthwhile on any modern sport sedan, especially one that may see spirited driving or seasonal use.
A quick visual inspection before longer trips is a sensible habit, and pressure should be checked often enough that slow air loss does not go unnoticed. Cars that sit for stretches between drives deserve extra attention, since flat spotting, age-related cracking, and unnoticed pressure loss can all affect road behavior.
