My stock tires 205/65/15 load rating is 92-94 and the tires I want 225/45/17
are 90-91 does this matter? Thanks

 

bump bump

 

load rating does mater....it is the max load (lbs) each tire can handle.....however if you are not loading the car up with people and junk it may not mater.....I would suggest looking up the amount of weight that the tires you are looking at are rated for.... then add the weight of your car and you will see what the max weight you can add is....I would look for at least a 1000lb cush....later

 

It does matter. I would get tires w/ same or greater load rating compared to stock load rating

 

I agree and recent tire safety/problems dictates going with at least the same OEM load rating.
Load & Speed Ratings from TireRack

The load rating may seem high when the car's at rest but figure a 3000lb car + 800lbs incl 4 passengers and 62% weight over the fronts. That's standing still. Now brake and perhaps 75% pushes to the fronts. You've just created the need for a 93 load rating.

That being said my OEM load rating is 91 (1356/corner). I autocrossed last year on small Falken Azenis with only a 86 (1168/corner) load rating. Used em a whole season and never had a failure. Maybe I was lucky. Maybe the tires are a bit overrated from the factory for safety. (Oh, and I never used them for daily extended driving)