Rep Power: 0

would a 205/45/r17 tire be considered a good low profile. Is it true the higher the 2nd number the more lower profile the tire? comments really appreciatied

 
Rep Power: 0

dude the lower the 2nd # the lower the profile

 
Rep Power: 0

hhahahaha, thats a skinny tire and definatley not low profile. low profile is 35 series man. 45 is pretty high.

 
Rep Power: 0

BTW, check out hte tire calculator...its really helpful

 
Rep Power: 0

go with the 45 imho, anything lower, a few potholes and you'll be buying a new rim in no time

 
Rep Power: 0

Here is the deal with tire sizes. Take your example of 205/45R17. The first number (205) is the width of the tire. The second number (45) is the height of the sidewall. The letter (R) coinsides with the speed rating of the tire. R for example is not a rating. And the last number is the diameter of the rims. As far as speed ratings for tires they are is as follows

Speed rating:
M=up to 81mph ( 130km/h)
Q=up to 99mph ( 160km/h)
S=up to 112mph ( 180km/h)
T=up to 118mph ( 190km/h)
U=up to 124mph ( 200km/h)
H=up to 130mph ( 210km/h)
V=up to 149mph ( 240km/h) ( with service description)
V=over 130mph ( 210km/h) ( with no service description)
W=up to 168mph ( 270km/h)
Y=up to 186mph ( 299km/h)
Z=over 149mph ( 240km/h) ( with no service description)

 
Rep Power: 312

I guess it all depends on what you consider low profile. Not to long ago a 50 series profile was considered low. Its all personal preference and how you want it to look and ride. Lower profile can look very appealing to some and give you a more sportier feel and better performance. But there are trade-offs like mentioned above.

 
Rep Power: 0

45s dont look that great on our cars cuz its too big, and makes the rims look smaller. It just doesnt go well with the car. Just my opinion.

 
Rep Power: 0

I can vouche for that.

 
Rep Power: 418

i got 40s driving in the ghetto streets of LA and i still havnt bent a rim... its not that easy to bend a rim...

 
Rep Power: 389

These are 205/45ZR17's...


I've driven in Boston often and have yet to bend a rim...

 
Rep Power: 0

Get the 45's. I have 205/40/17 and I regret buying them. Regardless of rims bending or not, the ride got a lot more sensitive to bumps. Have to be more cautious. More than a few times I've hit a bump that made me think I bent my tires. And this was going at 20 mph. 45's simply more practical. Plus, 17 inch tires look smaller when they're surrounded by such small rubber.

From a practical standpoint, 205/45/17 are easier on your rims, and are closer in diameter to the originals, giving you a more accurate spedometer reading.

-Aki

 
Rep Power: 0

I went 215/45/17 and I love them plus I have an EX so it works out the best



Nick

 
Rep Power: 0

Here is what the numbers really mean, not what SPec V thinks they mean.

205 - The width of the tire in milimeters or centimeters

45 - The hight of the tire but its a ratio of the first number

r - Radial nothing to do with speed

17 - rim diameter

Some tires (Z rated) have ZR not just R but all others don't. The speed rating comes after the the 205/45/r17 Example 205/45/r17 83H That is an H speed rated tire.

 
Rep Power: 0

Hey moron you said the exact same thing I did. I just happened to give what each speed rating is and you did not.

 
Rep Power: 0

SpecV: Travii was mainly saying that the sidewall is it's size compared to the width of the tire. You said it was the height of the sidewall which is incorrect. It's the height of the sidewall as a percentage of the tires width.

Anyhow, rims are easier to bend than you think. I bent 2 tsw Hock R's when I hit a pothole going about 20mph. They were the 2 passenger side wheels and were 16" w/50 series tires. You can get lucky for a while but with a rubber-band tire it's only a matter of time.