Tire Size Question!!!

[GA_mayne]

I am looking to buy new tires and rims. The rims are 17" and the tire size is 205/40. What would be the difference from the stock setup?

I calculated it and the diameter is smaller by 2". What will this change?
What do you guys think I should do?

Thanks

[gt00]

I am looking to buy new tires and rims. The rims are 17" and the tire size is 205/40. What would be the difference from the stock setup?Those tires are the wrong size , that will throw off your speedo / odometer and change your final drive ratio . Not recommended .

[GA_mayne]

what is the recommended tire size?
and for the rims is the bolt pattern 5x115 or 5x 114.3 with a 40mm offset?

[gt00]

what is the recommended tire size?
and for the rims is the bolt pattern 5x115 or 5x 114.3 with a 40mm offset?Depending on the width 225/45/17 is the norm for that rim , if you want a 205 you'd need 205/50/17 ( 6.5 - 7 width). 5X115 is the correct pattern , but 5X114.3 will fit , although some guys have had vibration issues using that .... ;) Offset will work fine .

[sunrunner_pei]

As gt00 said, that tire size is completely wrong for your car. 225/45R17 is the closest match to stock.

The correct bolt pattern is 5x115mm. Offset has nothing to do with the bolt pattern, but is important when choosing wheels.

Edit: Oops, posted at the same time. :)

[GA_mayne]

thanks so much!

so what would the correct offset be? or does it not matter?

[g4mbl3]

i dont know a lot, but i am guessing the offset, is how much "offset" your wheel is, like how much further out it sticks to avoid rubbing on struts or anything. so if you get a bigger rims, get a bigger offset. i am probably sooo wrong, but thats just my guess. anyone who knows more can correct me, plz :)

[tenspeed]

My tires have a 38mm offset. Think of a wheel being in two pieces. One piece would be the round part that holds the tire (rim). The other piece would be the flat part that bolts onto the hub.

The offset would be how far from the center of the rim that the flat part is attached to the rim. A more positive offset will move the tire closer to the center of the car.

A +38 gives me about 3/4" clearance between the rear tire and the strut. If you go with the larger positive off set, the distance decreases.

Here's a handy tire caluclator. Use it to determine the correct size tire that fits your car. My first set of tires were a tad too big. They were 235-45-17. They had a little wider contact patch but they also were heavier which meant more gas to move them and more brake to stop them. They are worn out and I'm dropping down a size to 225-45-17.

[gt00]

A more positive offset will move the tire closer to the center of the car.Offset (http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=101)

[GA_mayne]

gotcha.
thanks guys!