FinalBreath

Well today I bought some rims for my 2.2. They are 17in ADR 79 battle exe wheels. What size tires should I get? The place reccomended 205/50zr17's I have some 205/40/zr17. I was told to use the 205/50/r17 because this is what the dealer reccomends for 17's. I would like some input please because I would like some tires by monday.

ReggaeRampage

I don't know anything about the 17's.
But the best thing you can do is to find pictures of people who have them, and check with their tire size.

FinalBreath

i dont know how to search for people with 17's

Florida 76

205's are to small... i like the bigger225/45/17 like in the pic below

FinalBreath

What are my size options. What will give me a better ride?

FinalBreath

Camon, theres gotta be some people that have 17's Let me get your input

ReggaeRampage

Did you check the "Wheels & Tires" threads?

The sticky has a few people with 17s. Make sure to read some of their sigs, because it'll have the wheel & tire size on there. Click on the link below to get there...

https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/wheels-tires-96/show-off-your-aftermarket-wheels-51141/

FinalBreath

it seems that the two widly used ones are 215/45/17 and 225/45/17. Now outta those two which are better, or let me rephrase that, whats the diffrence?

senior_brown

ones wider than the other HAHA

FinalBreath

well yea, but not by much, which ones would be best. lol

Florida 76

like the old saying "wider is better" wider is better because you get more grip i guess... pluss i havent curbed my rims beause the tire is wider than the rim so i just curb tire not rim



.

FinalBreath

so you would say the 225/45/r17?

Florida 76

yeah


.

FinalBreath

alright. anyone suggest anything diffrent?

BlackBaltSSNA

Section Width
Following the letter(s) that identify the type of vehicle and/or type of service for which the tire was designed, the three-digit numeric portion identifies the tire's "Section Width" (cross section) in millimeters.

P225/50R16 91S

The 225 indicates this tire is 225 millimeters across from the widest point of its outer sidewall to the widest point of its inner sidewall when mounted and measured on a specified width wheel. This measurement is also referred to as the tire's section width. Because many people think of measurements in inches, the 225mm can be converted to inches by dividing the section width in millimeters by 25.4 (the number of millimeters per inch).

225mm / 25.4 = 8.86"

Sidewall Aspect Ratio
Typically following the three digits identifying the tire's Section Width in millimeters is a two-digit number that identifies the tire's profile or aspect ratio.

P225/50R16 91S

The 50 indicates that this tire size's sidewall height (from rim to tread) is 50% of its section width. The measurement is the tire's section height, and also referred to as the tire's series, profile or aspect ratio. The higher the number, the taller the sidewall; the lower the number, the lower the sidewall. We know that this tire size's section width is 225mm and that its section height is 50% of 225mm. By converting the 225mm to inches (225 / 25.4 = 8.86") and multiplying it by 50% (.50) we confirm that this tire size results in a tire section height of 4.43". If this tire were a P225/70R16 size, our calculation would confirm that the size would result in a section height of 6.20", approximately a 1.8-inch taller sidewall.

Internal Construction
A letter (R in this case) that identifies the tire's internal construction follows the two digits used to identify the aspect ratio.

P225/50R16, P225/50ZR16

The R in the P225/50R16 91S size identifies that the tire has a Radial construction in which the tire's body plies "radiate" out from the imaginary center of the wheel. Radial tires are by far the most popular type of tire today representing over 98% of all tires sold.

If the R in the size was replaced with a D (225/50D16), it would identify that the internal tire body plies crisscross on a Diagonal and that the tire has a "bias ply" construction. Tires using this construction are for light truck and spare tire applications.

If the R in the size was replaced with a B (225/50B16), it would identify that the tire body plies not only crisscross the tire on a diagonal as before, but that they are reinforced with belts under the tread area. This type of tire construction is called "Belted." Tires using this construction are practically extinct.

Speed Rating
Today, the only tires that continue to include the speed rating "in" the tire size (P225/50ZR16) are Z-speed rated tires. In this case, following the two digits used to identify the aspect ratio are the letters ZR to identify the tire's speed rating (Z) and its internal construction (R). Since 1991, all other speed ratings are identified in the tire's Service Description (which will be covered shortly).

Tire and Wheel Diameter
P225/50R16 91S

The 16 indicates the tire and wheel diameter designed to be matched together.

Tires that have a rim diameter expressed in inches (P225/50R16, as well as 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26 and 28) are called "inch rim" sizes, are the most common type of tire size and are used on most cars, minivans, vans, sport utility vehicles and light duty light trucks.

original post: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=46

so in laymen terms if you get a tire size 225/45r17 the width of the tire is 225mm and the height from the rim to the top of the tire is 45% of 225mm and your rim is 17 inches. depending on what you are looking for in your tires then there would be different opinions on what you should get. i have 17's and just got new tires about 3 weeks ago and got 215/45r17 and i love em. 205/50r17 is what comes stock with the cobalt 2.4l

oh and the difference is the 225/45r17 is wider and fatter. while the 215/45r17 is still somewhat wide but more low profile. i'll post some pics of mine when i first got em. my car is currently on the shop and i took the pics with my cellphone so bare with me. once i get my car back ill post new ones with my digi cam if it'll help you any.





pics are small and stuff, hope it helps though.

Archie

DO NOT PUT 205/50R17's ON YOUR LS or LT UNLESS YOU RESET THE TIRE SIZE IN THE ECU.

All the sizes that you can put on your 17's depends on what width the wheel is. I would assume that it is 17"x7".

These are the only sizes you should put on unless you have the dealer reset the tire size to what you have.

I am only giving the most common rim sizes.

17"x7" Rim:
205/45R17, 215/45R17, 215/40R17, 225/40R17

17"x7.5":
205/45R17*, 215/45R17, 215/40R17, 225/40R17, 235/40R17, 245/40R17**

*205/45R17 is possible, but not recommended-too much stretch.
**245/40R17 is possible, but not recommended-too much rollover.
Depending on wheel offset, tire may have slight rubbing on 245/40R17 or wider.

17"x8":
215/45R17, 225/40R17, 235/40R17, 245/40R17, 245/35R17, 255/35R17*

*255/35R17 is possible, but not recommended-too much rollover(This size will also have some major rubbing issues)

senior_brown

all i gotta say is im gonna get 225/45/17's for my stock rims soon,

and this :

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Archie

Why the hell do you SS people keep posting your tire sizes?!?!? If he puts on your sizes, his speedo will be off by 3+%! I would hate to see him get a ticket for doing 50 in a 45, when he thinks he is at 47. Let alone 85 in a 65 while he thinks he is going 78. Arizona 20mph over is considered felony speeding.

Not to mention how far off his odometer will be.

By the way, senior brown, your tires will be off by more than 3% also. Unless you're a GT.

FinalBreath

cops here have worse things to worry about than speeding. We can usually get away with 6-8 over. 20 over is excessive speeding and a fatty ticket and hella points but just goto traffic court and theyll reduce it.

Archie

I would rather just know that I'm going the speed that the speedo says, not 6mph faster.
But thats just me.

Don't forget, you're gonna be rackin up miles on your odo faster.

FinalBreath

My speedo is only 1.3 mph slow. No major diffrence. Took it to chevy and had them look at it. I can buy a VCI reflash to make my cars computer know I have 17's not 15's. They want $150 installed for it.

O.C.

go with the 225/45/17 its a nice width tire wider then the 205&215 and the height of a 45 series is going to a prttey smooth ride but still have the perf. handling

FinalBreath

Thats exactly what i got. Not too bad of a ride. Ill try and get some pics later today.