Question about tire sizes

[WillyK]

I would like to eventually get some Potenza SO-3 Pole Positions and going by tire rack the size of 17 inch wheels would be 205/45-17 but they aren't available in that size. They do however have 215/45-17. So my question is what is the 205, 215 part of the tire size? Would the 215's fit? Thanks for the help.

[NoCones]

215/45R17

The 215 is width in mm.

The 45 means that the sidewall is 45% as tall as the tire is wide.

I think you've got the 17 under control.

The 215 will fit fine (assuming you don't have some bizarrely narrow 17" wheel)

that tire will be bigger (in diameter/circumference) than oem...play with tire sizes here:
http://www.secret-secret.com/turbo/DIY/tirecalc/turbotire.html

Bryan

[Bling]

I would go with the 215.
The first number is the width of the tire.
The second number is the sidewall height. It is a percentage of the width. ex: 215/45/17 the sidewall will be 45 percent of 215.

[WillyK]

Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate it