Tire Numbers

[Hulud]

what do they mean?
215/45/17?
i know the 17 is the inside diameter for the rim size but what are the other two?

[Spyder]

215= 215 MM or 8.41 inches
45 is a series aka a percentage of the width displayed in height from the rim to the tread patch(aka sidewall) or in this case 96.75mm or 3.78 inches.

to get the total over all height you can do rim height+ (2Xsidewall)= total height

again in this case 17+(2x3.78)= 24.56 inches in over all height, ideally you want to maintain as close to a factory circumference to not throw off you handeling and speedo charecteristics.

[Hulud]

sweet man thanks
so what i would want would be something close to the 24.56 overall?
i mean hopefully my stock is close to that number

[Spyder]

all depends , do you know what size your factory tires are/were?

[Hulud]

i will just a sec lemme check

[Hulud]

205/55/15

[Spyder]

btw as long as you are willing to recalibrate your speedo it isnt a huge deal to run slightly off sized wheels/tires.

[Hulud]

damn. will it make me slower or faster?

[Spyder]

205/55/15

205/25.5454=
8.02 tread width.
x.55 (series)=
4.41 sidewall

15+(4.41x2)=23.82

that is a pretty serious difference..

[B16a2 Civic]

love my 215/35/18

[Spyder]

damn. will it make me slower or faster?

your speedo will be slower.

if you are going 60 it will likely read about 52 or so with the new wheels/tires.

[Hulud]

so i would get a speeding ticket i guess

[Spyder]

so i would get a speeding ticket i guess

you can get it recalibrate as i said or go with properly sized tires.. your call :)

[Hulud]

yea about how much does that run to recal?

[Hulud]

so the first number is the width of the tire?

[Spyder]

yea about how much does that run to recal?

no idea , its different for all cars.

but to give you an idea of what kind of tires to look for next time..

origional-23.82
205/40/17-23.41
205/45/17-24.21
215/40/17-23.72
215/45/17-24.57
225/35/17-23.16
225/40/17-24.04
235/30/17-22.51
235/35/17-23.43

personally 225/35/17's sound good :) but obviously 215/40/17's are the closest.

[Spyder]

so the first number is the width of the tire?

yes it is the width in millimeters.there are approximately 25.5454 millimeters per inch , i did a conversion so you could better understand it.

[Hulud]

so any of those sizes you gave me will fit the rims i have?

[Spyder]

dunno, i would assume you have atelast 17x7's so technically they will all fit. it my personal preferenc to have a slightly wider tire then a little slim skinny one. the skinnies generally cost less just so you know..

[Hulud]

ok im gonna check on the rim size brb

[Hulud]

yup 17x7

[Hulud]

well thanks man for the awesome help!!!!!! +1 for you

[Hulud]

oh damn i will give you some soon it wont let me give anymore right now!

[Spyder]

yup 17x7

then yes anything will fit, the 215 or 225 width will look the best.

[Hulud]

awesome thanks!