Tire fitment question

[spyder97gs]

I've got some Enkei 17" wheels with bad tires which are 215 50r17's. I've also got some 17 inch wheels with 215 45r17 tires that are good, as I really can't afford new ones. Could I take these two sets and have the good ones put on the Enkei's? What does the 40 and 50 mean, just sidewall height?

 

[Turbo Shogun]

Yes, you can put those 215/45's on the same rim, as they are both 17".

The second number in a tire size is the aspect ratio, which I believe is the percentage of the sidewall in comparison to the tread width. This determines the sidewall size.

 

[rice_rocket]

AHHHHHHHHHH... no no no.. they are different sidwall heights.. ie you'll look like a muscle car. Since your car is FWD then it won't matter, if you have and AWD car then you might blow/burn out your center diff.

What WILL matter is that you have the proper profile in the front (45R) or else your speedometer will be off.

 

[wret]

AHHHHHHHHHH... no no no.. they are different sidwall heights.. ie you'll look like a muscle car. Since your car is FWD then it won't matter, if you have and AWD car then you might blow/burn out your center diff.

What WILL matter is that you have the proper profile in the front (45R) or else your speedometer will be off.

...and how do you know your speedometer isn't off already?

spyder97gs, use a calculator like this one to compare sizes:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Either of the sizes can work on a 2g eclipse but we would need to know more about your wheel size to be sure. It's a good rule of thumb to stay within a couple percent of your stock wheel size. Like most rules, especially those of thumb, it can be broken if you know what you are doing.

Turbo Shogun, you are right. But next time know you are right and omit the "I believe." part.