tire sizes, explain please Options

[Cormudgen]

can someone explain to me what each part of a tire size is?

for example i found a good deal on some 17" rims that have tires included with the size of 215/45/17. i understand that the last number is the rim size they will fit but that is the extent of my knolwedge. one of my fiends just ordered rims for 300zx and the tires included have a really thick(high) sidewall. I don't want my tires to be almost as big as my rims. i understand the more lo profile the tire is the worse ride quality but i am willing to sacrifice that. so can you explain what each number means and recomend a good tire size in both 18" and 17" where my sidewalll wont' be to high.

thanks
cormudgen

[LatinKraze]

For 17's the recommendation is 215/45/17. But u can go down to 40 istead of 45.

[PowellCelica]

K..... 17 is the diameter/rim size, you know that much right?

The 215 stands for how wide the tire will be...

The 45 is the percentage of the sidewall that will show...the smaller the number the smaller amount of sidewall you will see. Like the 235/35/18 tires are really small and the 215/45/17 tires and the 215/40/17 tires are what most people use around here for the celi. My person pref. is the 215/45/17 because you still have enough sidwall for comfort and I LOVE wider tires.

[LatinKraze]

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/tire.htm

Use this, it helped me alot to understand rims and tires and stuff.

[Cormudgen]

ok, i think i have it down now. i'm still a lil concerned with 215/45/17 tires not being low profile enough for me. anyone have pics on their car?

cormudgen

[ghostdog]

[initialdrift55]

is 225/45/17 bad?

[Cragspider]

I can tell you that if you get 45's on your car you are only helping to keep the rim in good shape, which is a good thing cause it will take more to bend it. 225's might start to rub in the front, but the back shouldn't be a problem.
Bryan

[initialdrift55]

so im better off 215/45/17's huh

[kuya1284]

[ScoobyDooCruiser]

the celicas can fit 215/45/17, 215/40/17's (I don't know about drops though). I've got 205/40/17, so they are a little narrower, but the low profile is there. Don't forget: The lower the profile the more expensive they are, and they won't last as long either.

[BenMMellor]

you alos need to retain a rolling radius or it will throw the speedo out and you may get done for speeding withour realising..

best size tyre for a 17" rim is 215/40/17

a tyre calculator helps you work out the best size for your rim and keeping the same rolling radius... try this one.

http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html

[Andason]

[LatinKraze]

What would be the stock GT and ST tires. Width, Ratio, and rim?

[Andason]

gt is 205/55/15

[LatinKraze]

Thanx bro

[BenMMellor]