The 2018 Lexus LS500 introduced a new generation of Lexus flagship sedan, blending full-size luxury with a more assertive design and a sharper performance character than earlier LS models. That matters when choosing tires, because this car uses multiple modern radial sizes rather than a single one-size-fits-all setup. The LS500 appears with 245/50R19 or 245/45R20 fitments, while the F Sport setup also adds a wider 275/40R20 rear tire. Available choices range from blackwall performance radials to redline and raised white letter options in certain 20-inch sizes. The key is matching the exact wheel and sub-model configuration before comparing appearance, series, or intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2018 Lexus LS500
Three tire sizes apply to the 2018 Lexus LS500, and the correct choice depends first on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. The Base model may use either a 19-inch or 20-inch front-size fitment, while the F Sport setup uses a staggered arrangement with a 245/45R20 front and a wider 275/40R20 rear. Before selecting a tire, confirm whether the car is running 19-inch wheels or the 20-inch staggered package.
In 245/45R20, the 245 indicates nominal section width in millimeters, 45 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 20 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 2018 Lexus LS500, this size is part of the 20-inch fitment and also serves as the F Sport front tire. Product choices include blackwall performance-oriented offerings from BFGoodrich and Nitto, along with Pro-Trac Street Pro III options in redline and raised white letter styling. This size is the right one to evaluate when the car has 20-inch front wheels and the buyer wants to compare both performance character and sidewall appearance.
In 245/50R19, the first number gives the nominal section width in millimeters, 50 describes the sidewall profile as an aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 19 identifies the rim diameter. This size belongs to the 19-inch wheel fitment used on certain 2018 Lexus LS500 Base configurations. Available products center on blackwall radial choices from BFGoodrich across g-Force series, giving the buyer a straightforward comparison of series and rim-width suitability rather than sidewall styling. It is the size to focus on when the car carries 19-inch wheels and the goal is to stay with the correct metric radial fitment.
In 275/40R20, the 275 reflects a wider nominal section width in millimeters, 40 is the aspect ratio, R means radial, and 20 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 2018 Lexus LS500, this size is used as the F Sport rear tire in a staggered 20-inch setup rather than as a universal fitment across all versions. Choices include blackwall radial options from BFGoodrich, Nitto, and M&H Racemaster, plus Pro-Trac Street Pro III in redline and raised white letter form. This is the critical rear size to confirm when matching the wider back-wheel fitment of an F Sport configuration.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 2018 Lexus LS500 because the covered configurations do not all use the same tire arrangement. The first step is confirming whether the car is a Base model on 19-inch or 20-inch wheels, or an F Sport with a staggered front-and-rear setup.
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2018 Lexus LS500 Base
The 2018 Lexus LS500 Base uses either a 245/50R19 or 245/45R20 radial fitment, depending on the wheel package on the car. That makes wheel-diameter confirmation especially important before comparing tire series, rim-width compatibility, or sidewall presentation.
The 2018 Lexus LS500 F Sport Front uses the 245/45R20 radial size as the front half of its staggered arrangement. Tire selection at the front should be matched carefully with the rear setup so the car keeps the proper front-to-rear size relationship.
The 2018 Lexus LS500 F Sport Rear uses a wider 275/40R20 radial tire on a 20-inch wheel. That wider rear fitment affects tire choice, since this position carries different sizing, rim-width ranges, and sidewall options than the front.
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 2018 Lexus LS500 Tires for Sale
Available LS500 tire choices span 19-inch and 20-inch radial fitments from BFGoodrich, Nitto, Pro-Trac, and M&H Racemaster. Buyers can compare blackwall performance-style options across several tire series, with redline and raised white letter choices appearing in certain 20-inch sizes.
Common 2018 Lexus LS500 tire questions usually center on identifying the right size by sub-model, confirming 19-inch versus 20-inch wheel fitment, and comparing available radial tire styles, brands, and road-use considerations.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2018 Lexus LS500?
The 2018 Lexus LS500 uses three tire sizes across its covered configurations: 245/50R19, 245/45R20, and 275/40R20. The Base model may use either 245/50R19 or 245/45R20, while the F Sport setup uses 245/45R20 in front and 275/40R20 in the rear.
The practical decision is not just choosing a size from a list, but matching the tire to the exact wheel package and sub-model arrangement on the car. A Base LS500 on 19-inch wheels needs a different tire than an F Sport with staggered 20-inch front and rear sizes, so wheel diameter and axle position should be confirmed before ordering.
What size rim does a 2018 Lexus LS500 use?
The 2018 Lexus LS500 uses either a 19-inch or 20-inch rim, depending on the configuration. The 245/50R19 fitment uses a 19-inch wheel, while both 245/45R20 and 275/40R20 use 20-inch wheels.
Rim diameter is the first thing to verify because the LS500 does not use one universal wheel size across all versions. A quick check of the existing tire sidewall or wheel itself will usually settle whether the car is on 19s or 20s, and that step prevents choosing a tire size that matches the model name but not the actual wheel on the vehicle.
Why does the 2018 Lexus LS500 have more than one tire size?
The 2018 Lexus LS500 has more than one tire size because different configurations use different wheel packages. The Base model may appear with either a 19-inch or 20-inch fitment, and the F Sport uses a staggered setup with one size in front and a wider size in the rear.
That means tire selection depends on the exact version of the car rather than the model name alone. Owners should confirm sub-model, wheel diameter, and whether the car uses the staggered F Sport arrangement before comparing brands or sidewall styles, especially if the vehicle has had wheel changes since new.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 245/45R20 tire for a 2018 Lexus LS500?
A 245/45R20 tire for a 2018 Lexus LS500 should be chosen around the car's exact position and wheel setup first, since this size appears on 20-inch applications and serves as the F Sport front tire. Available choices include blackwall radials from BFGoodrich and Nitto, along with Pro-Trac Street Pro III versions in redline and raised white letter form.
After confirming the size belongs on the car, compare the available tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width compatibility for the intended use. Some buyers want a straightforward blackwall performance look, while others prefer a more customized visual statement from redline or raised white letter styling on a 20-inch LS500.
What sidewall styles are available for 2018 Lexus LS500 tires?
Sidewall styling on 2018 Lexus LS500 tires varies by size. Blackwall options are available across all three covered sizes, while redline and raised white letter choices appear in certain 20-inch applications through the Pro-Trac Street Pro III line.
That gives the LS500 owner a real appearance choice, especially on 245/45R20 and 275/40R20 fitments where traditional blackwall is not the only path. The right pick depends on whether the goal is a modern understated look or something with more visual contrast, while still staying within the correct tire size for the car's wheel package.
What brands offer tires for the 2018 Lexus LS500?
Tires for the 2018 Lexus LS500 are available from BFGoodrich, Nitto, Pro-Trac, and M&H Racemaster across the covered sizes. Brand availability varies by fitment, with BFGoodrich appearing across all three sizes and additional choices showing up in selected 20-inch applications.
The brand name is only one part of the decision. It also helps to compare the specific tire series, sidewall style, and wheel-width requirements within the correct LS500 size, because a Base model on 19-inch wheels and an F Sport rear on 275/40R20 do not offer the same product mix.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2018 Lexus LS500?
A period-style approach on a 2018 Lexus LS500 starts with using the correct modern metric radial size for the car's actual configuration, not with adding a vintage-style size that was never part of this model's fitment. From there, the visual direction comes from choosing among blackwall, redline, or raised white letter options where those are available.
For a more restrained factory-inspired presentation, blackwall radials usually keep the look closest to the LS500's original design language. Buyers wanting a more individualized appearance can consider the 20-inch redline or raised white letter offerings, but the first rule is still matching the correct diameter and front or rear position.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2018 Lexus LS500?
Tire construction has less of a visual role on a 2018 Lexus LS500 than it does on older collector cars, because the LS500 uses radial tires across its fitments. The bigger appearance difference comes from sidewall treatment and tire series, especially in the 20-inch sizes where blackwall, redline, and raised white letter options are available.
On a modern luxury-performance sedan like this, the visual impression changes more through sidewall style than through switching between bias-ply and radial construction. Keeping the proper size and wheel diameter matters most, then the buyer can decide whether the car should look understated, slightly sportier, or more customized in its overall presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2018 Lexus LS500?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2018 Lexus LS500, especially because this model already uses more than one wheel and tire arrangement. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, ride-height adjustments, or body alterations can change the space available for a 245/50R19, 245/45R20, or 275/40R20 tire.
Even when the tire size looks correct on paper, the actual wheel width and clearance around the fender, strut, and steering range still matter. Any LS500 that has been lowered, widened, or fitted with non-original wheels should be measured carefully before replacement so the new tire matches the real setup on the car.
What should I inspect before driving a 2018 Lexus LS500 on new tires?
Before driving a 2018 Lexus LS500 on new tires, check that the installed sizes match the car's actual front, rear, and wheel-diameter configuration. It also helps to inspect inflation pressure, wheel condition, valve stems, and basic clearance at full steering lock if the car uses the 20-inch package.
A short visual inspection after installation can catch rubbing, uneven stance, or an accidental front-to-rear mismatch on staggered F Sport setups. It is also wise to confirm that the tires are seated properly and that there are no cuts, bulges, or abnormal air loss before settling into regular road use.
How often should tires on a 2018 Lexus LS500 be inspected?
Tires on a 2018 Lexus LS500 should be inspected regularly, especially if the car is driven in mixed highway and city use or spends long periods parked between outings. Routine checks should include tread condition, air pressure, sidewall damage, and any visible signs of uneven wear across the tire face.
Inspection matters even more on staggered setups because front and rear tires do not share the same size on the F Sport arrangement. A quick look before longer drives and periodic close checks in the garage can help catch alignment issues, pressure loss, or age-related deterioration before they affect ride quality or road manners.