i just got adr wheels that have a 40 offset and 5x100. i need to get tires now. i just have no idea what all these numbers mean. i want a tire thats kinda wider or wheel spacers so it'll fill the wheel well out. i just didn't wanna get 18s cuz i like the way my car rides right now and i don't wanna change it. what does 215/40-17 mean? what kinda tire or size would be the best fit for what i'm lookin for? thanx

oh yeah-i did a search for offset and tires, it came up with all this crap, but not exactly what i needed.

 

The offset is how far your wheel sticks out...don't change this too much.

5x100 means you have 5 lugs holding the wheel to the car, and they are on a 100mm diameter circle. This CANNOT be changed, your wheels must have this lug pattern.

215/40-17 means the following... the tire is 215mm wide. The height of the tire is 40% of the width, and the tire fits on 17" wheels.

A lower profile tire might be like a 35 series tire, or 215/35-18, this would be a lower profile tire on a 18" wheel.

 

You may find the following links this helpful:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...l/sidewall.jsp

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...nformation.jsp

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/offset.jsp