The 2012 Ferrari California blends grand touring comfort with open-top Ferrari character, making tire selection more than a simple replacement exercise. This is a modern performance car with staggered front and rear sizing, and it was offered on both 19-inch winter-tire fitments and 20-inch base-model fitments. That means the first step is confirming whether the car is set up with 19-inch or 20-inch wheels, then matching the correct front and rear radial sizes. Available choices also vary by brand, tire series, and sidewall treatment, including blackwall, redline, and raised white letter styles in some rear applications. For a California that sees real road use, wheel setup and front-to-rear fitment accuracy matter as much as appearance.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2012 Ferrari California
The 2012 Ferrari California uses four primary tire sizes, and the correct combination depends on both wheel diameter and whether the car is in base or winter-tire configuration. Front and rear sizes are staggered, with 19-inch and 20-inch radial setups, so the first thing to confirm is the exact wheel package on the car before comparing brands, tire series, or sidewall treatments.
245/40R19 is a metric radial size in which 245 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 40 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 19 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 2012 Ferrari California, this is a front fitment used with the 19-inch setup, including the winter-tire front application. Available choices in this size come from BFGoodrich across g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Comp 2 AS, and g-Force Phenom T/A blackwall designs. This size matters when the car is running 19-inch front wheels and the goal is to keep the correct staggered relationship with the matching rear tire.
285/40R19 is a metric radial size with a 285-millimeter nominal section width, a 40-series profile, radial construction, and a 19-inch rim diameter. On the 2012 Ferrari California, it serves as the rear companion to the 245/40R19 front in the 19-inch arrangement, including the winter-tire rear application. Its role is not interchangeable with the front size, since the California uses a staggered setup with a wider rear tire. Choosing this size starts with confirming that the car is equipped with 19-inch rear wheels and that the front and rear pair remain matched as intended.
245/35R20 is a metric radial size where 245 is the nominal width in millimeters, 35 is the aspect ratio, R means radial, and 20 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. This is a front tire size for the 2012 Ferrari California base setup with 20-inch wheels. Product options include BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Comp 2 AS, and g-Force Phenom T/A, along with the Nitto NT555 G2, all in blackwall form. This size is the right place to focus when the car carries 20-inch front wheels and the owner is comparing series and brand choices within the proper staggered layout.
285/35R20 is a metric radial size that uses a 285-millimeter nominal section width, a 35-series profile, and a 20-inch rim diameter. On the 2012 Ferrari California, it is the rear fitment paired with the 245/35R20 front in the 20-inch base configuration. This size has the broadest visible variety, with BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac offerings, plus blackwall, raised white letter, and redline sidewall treatments. It is the size to evaluate when a California has 20-inch rear wheels and the buyer wants to compare both performance-oriented product families and appearance differences.
Sub-model fitment on the 2012 Ferrari California is tied directly to wheel package and front-versus-rear position. Checking the exact base or winter-tire configuration matters because the car uses different staggered sizes on 19-inch and 20-inch setups.
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2012 Ferrari California (Winter Tires) Front
The winter-tire front application uses a 245/40R19 radial on a 19-inch wheel. Tire selection here starts with confirming the 19-inch front setup, then keeping it properly paired with the matching 19-inch rear size rather than mixing wheel-package combinations.
The winter-tire rear application uses a 285/40R19 radial on a 19-inch wheel. That makes wheel diameter and rear-position fitment especially important, since the California relies on a wider rear tire to maintain its intended staggered arrangement.
The base front fitment can be either 245/35R20 or 245/40R19, depending on the wheel package on the car. The practical decision is confirming whether the California has 20-inch or 19-inch front wheels before comparing available tire series or brand options.
The base rear fitment can be either 285/35R20 or 285/40R19, matched to the corresponding front size and wheel diameter. Rear tire selection should stay within the correct staggered package, so verifying the actual rear wheel size is essential before choosing among sidewall or product variations.
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 Ferrari California Tires for Sale
Available 2012 Ferrari California tire choices center on 19-inch and 20-inch radial performance sizes from BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac. Depending on size, buyers can compare blackwall, redline, and raised white letter sidewalls along with several g-Force, NT555 G2, and Street Pro III series options.
Owners of a 2012 Ferrari California usually need to sort out staggered front and rear sizing, 19-inch versus 20-inch wheel fitment, and the available radial tire choices. These FAQs focus on exact size selection, product differences, appearance options, and practical checks before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2012 Ferrari California?
The 2012 Ferrari California uses staggered radial tire sizes rather than one uniform size at all four corners. Front fitments are 245/40R19 or 245/35R20, while rear fitments are 285/40R19 or 285/35R20, depending on whether the car is using the 19-inch or 20-inch wheel setup.
The key is matching front and rear sizes to the actual wheel diameter on the car. A California with 19-inch wheels should stay with the 19-inch front and rear pairing, while a 20-inch car should use the 20-inch pair, with wheel size confirmed before comparing tire brands or styles.
What size rim does a 2012 Ferrari California use?
A 2012 Ferrari California uses either 19-inch or 20-inch rims, depending on the tire and wheel package. The 245/40R19 and 285/40R19 sizes mount on 19-inch wheels, while the 245/35R20 and 285/35R20 sizes mount on 20-inch wheels.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before anything else because the California has staggered front and rear sizing in both wheel packages. Checking only the front or only the rear can lead to a mismatch, so it is smart to verify all four wheels if the car has had prior tire or wheel changes.
Why does the 2012 Ferrari California have more than one tire size?
The 2012 Ferrari California has more than one tire size because it uses a staggered setup with narrower front tires and wider rear tires, and it appears with both 19-inch and 20-inch wheel packages. That creates two front sizes and two rear sizes rather than one universal fitment.
The practical result is that tire selection starts with identifying both wheel diameter and axle position. A front size should not be used as a rear substitute, and a 19-inch setup should not be mixed casually with a 20-inch setup without carefully confirming the complete wheel and tire arrangement.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 2012 Ferrari California tire?
Start with the correct front or rear size and the correct wheel diameter, since the 2012 Ferrari California uses staggered radial tires in either a 19-inch or 20-inch package. After that, compare available tire series, construction details, and any rim-width information tied to the specific size you need.
Appearance and use also matter. Some sizes are offered only as blackwalls, while the 285/35R20 rear size adds redline and raised white letter choices, so the right tire depends on whether the priority is a more understated modern look or a more distinctive visual presentation.
What sidewall styles are available for 2012 Ferrari California tires?
Blackwall is the most common sidewall style across the available 2012 Ferrari California tire sizes. In the 285/35R20 rear size, there are also Pro-Trac Street Pro III options with redline and raised white letter sidewalls, giving that fitment more visible appearance variety than the others.
Sidewall choice should follow the correct tire size and wheel package, not the other way around. A buyer who wants a specific look should first confirm whether the car uses the 20-inch rear setup, because that is where the broader sidewall styling options appear among the available products.
What brands offer tires for the 2012 Ferrari California?
Available 2012 Ferrari California tire options include BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac, depending on the size. BFGoodrich appears across several front and rear sizes, Nitto is available in selected 20-inch sizes, and Pro-Trac appears in the 285/35R20 rear application with multiple sidewall treatments.
Brand choice should be compared within the correct axle position and wheel diameter. It also helps to look at the tire series attached to each brand, since the California's product mix includes several g-Force variations, the NT555 G2, and Street Pro III, each shaping the selection process differently.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2012 Ferrari California?
A period-style 2012 Ferrari California tire choice starts with preserving the correct staggered size and wheel diameter already on the car. Since this model uses modern radial sizes, the visual decision is less about bias-ply versus radial and more about choosing among blackwall or, in some rear 20-inch applications, more expressive sidewall treatments.
For a cleaner original-era presentation, many owners will gravitate toward blackwall options in the proper front and rear sizes. If exact appearance authenticity matters, it is worth checking Ferrari-specific reference material or marque expertise before selecting a redline or raised white letter rear tire strictly for style.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2012 Ferrari California restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 2012 Ferrari California restoration because the car's stance and visual balance depend on the proper staggered front and rear sizes. Using the wrong width, profile, or wheel diameter can change the overall presentation even before any effect on drivability is considered.
A restoration-minded approach should confirm whether the car is being kept on its 19-inch or 20-inch setup and then match the corresponding front and rear sizes. Tire appearance still plays a role, but fitment accuracy comes first, since the California's modern proportions are closely tied to wheel-and-tire scale.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2012 Ferrari California?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2012 Ferrari California. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, or prior wheel-package conversions can all change whether the car should remain on the original 19-inch or 20-inch staggered arrangement and may influence clearance at both front and rear.
A modified California should be checked carefully before tire selection rather than assuming the size currently installed is correct. Wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance through steering travel and suspension movement all deserve attention, especially because the rear tires are substantially wider than the fronts.
What should I inspect before driving a 2012 Ferrari California on new tires?
Before driving a 2012 Ferrari California on new tires, inspect wheel condition, verify that the front and rear sizes match the correct staggered setup, and confirm inflation is appropriate for the installed tires. It also helps to check for any rubbing marks, uneven wear patterns, or signs that the car has been running mismatched wheel diameters.
A short initial road test should be followed by another inspection for air loss, contact issues, or anything unusual in steering feel. Collector and specialty cars are sometimes driven infrequently, so a fresh tire installation is a good time to look over suspension condition and general wheel hardware as well.
What should I check before a longer drive in a 2012 Ferrari California?
Before a longer drive in a 2012 Ferrari California, confirm that the car is on the correct front and rear tire sizes for its wheel package and inspect each tire for cuts, bulges, cracking, or irregular wear. Tread condition, air retention, and overall tire age are all worth checking on a car that may spend periods off the road.
Longer trips also justify a closer look at wheel condition and any signs of clearance trouble under load or steering movement. A California that has sat for extended periods should not rely on appearance alone, since low mileage does not automatically mean a tire is ready for sustained road use.
