Which tire size ?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 387
Look, i have decided on my rims, but now i cant decide on which tire size, because i have no idea which ones to get. THese are my options
215/50-17
225/50-17
235/45-17
which ones should i get, and what do all these sizes mean ?
215/50-17
225/50-17
235/45-17
which ones should i get, and what do all these sizes mean ?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,835
It's pretty simple.
Let's take 235/45/17
The first number is the section width, 235mm. That's how wide the tire is at the widest point of its "buldge." The second number is how high the sidewall is relative to the width. So, 45 means 45% of width. The last number is rim size, in this case 17".
If you are getting 17x7.5 rims or wider, go with 235/45/17. If you are getting 17x7, go with 225/50/17. Keep in mind that the width of the tire has little relation to how wide the contact patch of the tire is. For example, some 235/45/17 have a 8.5" contact patch (the part that touches the ground), and other 235/45/17 have a 7.5" contact patch. Generally the wider the contact patch the better, but some newer tires have advanced technologies which allow them to achieve the same traction but with a narrower patch.
Let's take 235/45/17
The first number is the section width, 235mm. That's how wide the tire is at the widest point of its "buldge." The second number is how high the sidewall is relative to the width. So, 45 means 45% of width. The last number is rim size, in this case 17".
If you are getting 17x7.5 rims or wider, go with 235/45/17. If you are getting 17x7, go with 225/50/17. Keep in mind that the width of the tire has little relation to how wide the contact patch of the tire is. For example, some 235/45/17 have a 8.5" contact patch (the part that touches the ground), and other 235/45/17 have a 7.5" contact patch. Generally the wider the contact patch the better, but some newer tires have advanced technologies which allow them to achieve the same traction but with a narrower patch.
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 340
stock rims
Originally posted by Eric L.
It's pretty simple.
Let's take 235/45/17
The first number is the section width, 235mm. That's how wide the tire is at the widest point of its "buldge." The second number is how high the sidewall is relative to the width. So, 45 means 45% of width. The last number is rim size, in this case 17".
If you are getting 17x7.5 rims or wider, go with 235/45/17. If you are getting 17x7, go with 225/50/17. Keep in mind that the width of the tire has little relation to how wide the contact patch of the tire is. For example, some 235/45/17 have a 8.5" contact patch (the part that touches the ground), and other 235/45/17 have a 7.5" contact patch. Generally the wider the contact patch the better, but some newer tires have advanced technologies which allow them to achieve the same traction but with a narrower patch.
It's pretty simple.
Let's take 235/45/17
The first number is the section width, 235mm. That's how wide the tire is at the widest point of its "buldge." The second number is how high the sidewall is relative to the width. So, 45 means 45% of width. The last number is rim size, in this case 17".
If you are getting 17x7.5 rims or wider, go with 235/45/17. If you are getting 17x7, go with 225/50/17. Keep in mind that the width of the tire has little relation to how wide the contact patch of the tire is. For example, some 235/45/17 have a 8.5" contact patch (the part that touches the ground), and other 235/45/17 have a 7.5" contact patch. Generally the wider the contact patch the better, but some newer tires have advanced technologies which allow them to achieve the same traction but with a narrower patch.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,765
From: Westchester County, NY
Re: Re: stock rims
Originally posted by lax99max
Getting a different rim and tire combo will also throw your speedometer off a tad too (low I believe).
Getting a different rim and tire combo will also throw your speedometer off a tad too (low I believe).
Very true. If you have 17*7 rims, get 225/45/17. You get a large tire choice in that size. Anything from Kumhos to Michelins. I beleive the 17" Gen 5 rim is also a 17*7.
Originally posted by medicsonic
The only problem with the 225/50-17s is that it is a very rare tire size, and your choices in tire manufacturers is very limited.
The only problem with the 225/50-17s is that it is a very rare tire size, and your choices in tire manufacturers is very limited.
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