Im getting my fake 17" Volk wheels for my cherry xB this week. I know a 205/40/17 will work, but I really would like a little more sidewall since I will be driving on crappy roads to and from Hemet frequently. Will a 205/45/17 work? Eventually the car will be lowered 2" via Spy springs.

How wide of wheels? I'm running 215-40-17's on 7" rims...........I remember seeing a post on here from a guy running 215-45-17's on 7" rims. I'll be putting 45's on mine when these wear out.

im pretty sure they are 7" wide

check here.....

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1882

i think it's cool that you are getting 17s. 205/45 should work fine with those wheels.

this calculator will help you too maybe. http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

that calculator is sweet. Is anyone actually running a 205/45/17? I dont want to get them and have them not work out, or look stupid or something.

The 215/40R17 is the proper size for the Scion. It has almost the exact overall height as the 185/60R15 stock size (only 0.03" taller). This is the size that will keep your speedometer and odometer most accurate.

The 205/40R17 is a little bit shorter, but still within spec. It is about a quarter inch shorter overall (0.28" shorter). When you have travelled 1,000 actual miles, your odometer will read 1,012 miles.

The 205/45R17 is a bit taller than stock. Usually when we do wheel and tire upsizing here at CEC we try and stay within 3% of OE size. The 205/45R17 is 2.21% larger than OE (.052" taller). When you have travelled 1,000 miles, your odometer will read 978 miles.

one more thing.......IMHO the 205's are too skinny for 7" rims. My 215's are barely out to the rim sides, 205's look kinda small. I was thinking of maybe 225's the next time.

My 2¢.

The 215 will definately look nicer. The tire width itself should work though as a 205 tire is 205mm wide (8.07") and a 215 tire is 215mm wide (8.46"). A 225 will look better on a 7½" width rim or 8" rim.

good info, thanks.

so i should get 215/45/17????

Actually, I was very leary on getting 205's on my 7 inch width rim, but after looking at some wheel combinations, depending on the type of tire you get, it will be either flush or slightly wider than the wheel itself. The issue that you might have with 215/40 or 215/45 is that it will give that much more extra room to rub when you drop it. Personally, I'd try to go with a 205/45 for 17's.

I am probably going to go with some cheaper model Falken's. I'll have my wheels tonight, so unless anyone has any other suggestions I'm going with Nacy's idea of 205/45/17

cheaper falkens? do you mean Visa's? (I heard Visa's were made by falken)

Anyway, I just went out and looked @my 215-40's on a 7" wheel. The tire is basically even with the rim side(sticks out maybe 1/16"). I'm think the 205's look "streched" onto a 7" wheel......but if you like that look , that's cool..and I could see how that might help eliminate a potenal rub if you slammed the car.

BTW, my 215's are SUPER CHEAPO Hankooks! LOL!

if i got 17's, i'd get 215/40/17's as this is the standard size the japanese bb drivers are using for 17's

yeah i think i would like the tire a little wider than the rim. I hate when the rim sticks out past the tire. So 215/40/17 it is. Unil someone else changes my mind again, which is totally possible.

try looking @ arinvolvo's profile...he runs 215-45's and has pictures.
I'd be glad to let you look at my tires/wheels in person if it will help. I'm in Irvine right now.

edit..my bad......he used to have pictures

With a 17x7" high offset wheel, you should go for the 215/45 tire because the actual tire width and profile won't be as big an issue in terms of clearance. If you were going with a low offset, more flush wheel, that's when you gotta be a bit more judicious with your tire selection (and perhaps even stretch a narrow tire) to avoid any potential rubbing issues.

i got my wheels. They are 17" x 7" with a 40mm offset. So 215/40/17 or 215/45/17??? I hate this. I know I'm going to get the wrong size.

my wheels are exactly the same specs and I have 215-40's. they are a perfect fit to the rims. The ONLY downside I see is that the 45's will be 3.7% bigger diameter, versus my 40's that are only 0.1% bigger. There maybe be a slight loss of pulling power with the bigger tires, but then again, Eric had 19's on his at one time that had to be even BIGGER diameter. Ask him what he thinks about the power loss, if he says its no big deal....then I'd go for the thicker sidewall tires.

I'd be interested in what he says too, I was thinking of 45's the next time.

Randode,
Let me know how far your wheels are from the fender flare (width-wise).
I'm wanting to know how a 40 offset will look.

Dean

so.....what did you decide?

Randode,
Let me know how far your wheels are from the fender flare (width-wise).
I'm wanting to know how a 40 offset will look.

Dean

I'll butt in here and tell you about mine.......As best as I could tell my 17x7+40mm offset w/ 215-40's are about 3/4" from the fender lip inside edge and 1.5" from the outside of the fender.

Is that what you wanted to know?

Yep, that's what I was looking for.
Thanx!
Seems that +30 offset is what's best for 7.5" or 8" wide rims for a flush look with the wheel well.
Scion Van gave me this info in another thread.

Just for some more reference, here are pics of ScionJohn's xB with a very conservative (as dictated by Work's recommended fitment guide for those wanting a "care-free" setup for every day street use) set of Work Euroline FS wheels in 18x7.5", +32mm, A disk front and rear (same disk front and rear for easy wheel/tire rotations).
http://sr20.hybrids.jp/van/scion/scionjohn/images/10_30_03_01.jpg
http://sr20.hybrids.jp/van/scion/scionjohn/images/10_30_03_03.jpg

More pics at: http://sr20.hybrids.jp/van/scion/scionjohn

that calculator is sweet. Is anyone actually running a 205/45/17? I dont want to get them and have them not work out, or look stupid or something.

Remember, though, that the calculator is approximate. A tire size covers a range of dimensions on both sides of nominal, so different makes of tires might fit differently. Allow an inch or so for this!

George