Model Year 23/24 245/40 R19 vs 245/45 R18 ride quality

[flatmo]

Has anyone switched between the two sizes 245/40 R19 and 245/45 R18?
Is there a noticeable difference when driving over potholes and on rough roads?
My car is equipped with 19" wheels and for me the ride is too harsh even with DCC set to its softest mode.

Maybe the problem is that the car has three-year-old Bridgestone T005s, and a new set might improve the ride.
Since I need to buy winter or all-season tires anyway I'm considering changing to R18.
I don't have Brembo brakes and I already checked whether the smaller rim will clear the calipers.

 

[Bahnstormer_vRS]

Three year old tyre will have less rubber, so will be harder.

What tyre pressure setting do you run?

On my Ateca VZ there are Standard and Comfort settings. The comfort are 0.3bar lower. Makes a big difference to ride quality, and actually grip better when pressing on.

If you're thinking of switching to All Season tyres I can heartily recommend Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport 245/40 19. I'm switching to mine next week for the winter.


Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S25 Ultra using Tapatalk

 

[flatmo]

Pressures are set to 2.7 bar according to the sticker on the driver's door.

 

[Bahnstormer_vRS]

Pressures are set to 2.7 bar according to the sticker on the driver's door.

Sounds like the Standard setting.

Do you have a lower Comfort setting?


Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S25 Ultra using Tapatalk

 

[flatmo]

I am driving with (DCC) suspension on comfort mode or individual and slider all the way to soft.

The tires are pumped to the recommended pressure (2.7 bar) for normal load with up to 3 people.

 

[Bahnstormer_vRS]

Got it.

My Ateca is 2.9 bar front, 2.7 bar rear normal.

Higher for full load but also has a Comfort setting of 2.6 bar front, 2 4 bar rear, which I use.

Guess you've not 'officially' got the option of Comfort.

As to your primary question; I'm sure switching to 18s with appropriately sized tyres will make the ride a tiny bit softer, at the expense of taught handling; based on my experience of running 225/50 18 winter tyres as opposed to 245/40 19 in summer.


Guy

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