ngthing

I'm looking and rims and tires and I have NO clue what anything means, any help?

some examples:

205/40-17
215/40-17

i can't find any wheel examples right now..maybe you have some handy you can post up and explain?

nubiannupe

iTrader: (9)

Jonathan, my friend... Are you in luck! Here's the scoop about all those funny numbers we see on tires (using one of the sets of numbers you provided):

205/40-17

The first set of numbers represent the tread width of the tire.
The second set represents the height of the tire from the rim's edge to the tread (if you are looking directly at the side of the tire)
The third set represents the diameter of the tire itself.

Hope that helps.

ngthing

ahh you are my savior! So, would more thread be better? Also, is the height (40) in cm, or...what?

I'm looking for some low-pro tires..what should I be looking for in the height catagory?

Also, would ya know anything about rims..like the offset and that type of thing?

-jon

nubiannupe

iTrader: (9)

More tread is DEFINATELY better, as your 'contact patch', or the part of the tire that actually touches pavement, increases. But too much of a good thing, in this instance, is not good. Especially when you factor in the offset. Basically, most Maxima's have somewhere between 35mm and 40mm offset rims. I probably wouldn't recommend going further than 225/50/17. Maybe even 225/45/17 (although those might be a bit harder to find, and you'll end up resorting to 235's) Anything wider will just rub the wheelwells during turns. And especially if you are considering lowering your car. Wouldn't want to ruin those nice shiny tires now, would we??

That's my $0.02 worth. Hope it helps....

ngthing

hmm thank you! the stock tires..I believe are:

205/65-15

so 205/40--17 would pretty low, and it'll have AT LEAST stock traction? is the first part (205) the width of the tire? i don't wanna rum my shiny new tires ;p

ngthing

the less rubber I have for height, is that...a roughter ride? and i heard something about scraping your rims if you have too little rubber?

nubiannupe

iTrader: (9)

The lower the 'aspect ratio' (the middle number), would probably take away from the "smooth" ride you are accustomed to having, as that will put you in closer contact to the ground. And I wouldn't worry much about scraping the rims unless you participate in the time-honored sport of 'curb-hopping'. And one thing I also forgot to mention, and I'm sure you've either heard or seen this, is that as you go up in diameter (the last numbers), you will definately alter the speed that your car is going. I've seen the exact figures posted on a newsgroup or two some time back, but I don't know them off the top of my head.

brubenstein

The first number is not the width of the tread, but the maximum cross section width of the tire when mounted on its nominal width rim. This information is given on the Tiretack site. When you change tires from the stock size, you have to check the static loaded radius of the new tire: this can be different from the nominal diameter of the tire. The reason for the difference is that low aspect tires generally are inflated several pounds higher than stock (33 vs. 29 stock). So the nominal to loaded radius changes less with low aspect tires. (The higher pressure is needed for things like protecting the rims.) If you want to go to a 17" rim, go to the Tirerack site and indicate that you are looking for a +2 tire/rim combination, and it will give you an appropriate size tire.

93 SE

also when buying tires you should check its ratings...there on all tires even the ones youve got on now...it says[example]..treadwear 500 ,traction A ,temperature A . just my $0.02

Guest

---Ex.... 215/55R16 93H (2k maxima GLE)
215=215mm width from left-right
55= 55% of 215mm is 118.25mm( sidewall size )
R=radial tire
16=diameter of the inner circle-the hole-or the rim size the tire can fit
93= max load at top speed
H=speed rating, in this case 130mph

**Upgrade tire width: 225/50ZR16 or 225/55ZR16's?
225/50's will give you a 112.5mm sidewall
225/55's will give you a 123.75mm sidewall

**Both will change your speedometer, 225/50's will make it read about 1-2mph faster while 225/55's will make your speedometer read 1-2mph <html><i>slower</i></html>

---Ex....205/65R15 91H ( 1990 Maxima SE )
205=205mm width from left-right
65=65% of 215mm is 133.25mm
R=radial
15=rims that will fit
91=max load at top speed
H=speed rating, in this case 130mph

Speed Ratings:
R=108mph
S=118mph
T=123mph
H=130mph
V=149mph
Z=149+mph
W=168mph
Y=186mph-I don't think they make this anymore for street applications-

Chris91SE

iTrader: (1)

are you looking for rubber for your stock rims???

if so 17 would be bad...that is the rim size so stick with 15...also you have a gxe so the rim is 15X6 so i would stick with 205/65/15

miKALsof

Plus Sizing is an easy way to enhance the performance and look of your vehicle. Use of these sizes require the purchase of new aftermarket wheels. Here are the sizes of wheels and tires that will fit safely on your 92 Maxima GXE:

PLUS ZERO
205/65-15
215/60-15


PLUS ONE
205/55-16
215/55-16
225/50-16


PLUS TWO
215/50-17
225/45-17
225/50-17


PLUS THREE
215/40-18
215/45-18
225/40-18


PLUS FOUR
225/35-19

Personally, I reccomend 16" 4th Generation SE rims onto 3rd gens. They look much newer and cleaner. You can get them at: http://www.aaarims.com/rare.shtml for only $575 a set (w/o tires)

ngthing

okay, I spent an hour reading all teh posts regarding htis topic, and I still am kind of confsued about all this.

I just purchased a set of Volk Racing TE37 17x8 17" rims. Sine the width is 8", how do I know what size tires will fit? Is 8" too wide? It is not too late for me to change the width of the tire. thank you.

DanNY

iTrader: (14)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ngthing

Quote:

okay, I spent an hour reading all teh posts regarding htis topic, and I still am kind of confsued about all this.

I just purchased a set of Volk Racing TE37 17x8 17" rims. Sine the width is 8", how do I know what size tires will fit? Is 8" too wide? It is not too late for me to change the width of the tire. thank you.

8 is a tad bit on the wide side..but if the offset is correct then you should not have any rubbing problems. your looking at a 225 or 245 tire (somewhere around there) for that wide a rim.

FAST4EN

I've got 17x8" on mine running a 245/45/ZR17 Tire with a +40mm offset and I don't have any rubbing except when I turn the wheel all of the way.

17x7.0" or
17x7.5" run a 225/45/17 or 235/45/17

17x8.0" run a 245/45/17 or (maybe) a 235/45/17