205/45/17 on 17x7.5 wheel?

[98legwag]

I am looking at a wheel/tire package from discounttiredirect.com and it recommends 205/45/17 for a 17x7 and 17x7.5 wheel. My question is would a 205 look really stretched on a 7.5 in wide wheel? I cannot find a way to change to a 215/45/17. Thanks.

[httrdd]

I dont know what you mean by cant find a way to change. I have seen some pics of 205s on a 17x7 with no problems. Hell I have 205 snow tires on my 17x7s right now. I will be running 215s this spring.

[98legwag]

I like the 7.5 wheel better but I can't change the tire size to a 215/45/17. It gives a suggested size of 205/45/17 at the widest due to the stock tire size on my car.

[Airgne]

Just go to tirerack.com

205 will not be stretched.

[chromehorn]

A 205 will have an almost flat sidewall. No stretch. This also does depend on the tire you buy.

[WESTcoast]

I do know 225 with a 7.5 sidewall if flat so to me you are looking at some stretch

here is what it the 225 on a 7.5 wide rim with a 40 series wall looks like

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/08/4889542589_8c86a1dcfb_b-1.jpg

[98legwag]

A 205 will have an almost flat sidewall. No stretch. This also does depend on the tire you buy.

Tires would be Falken Ziex ZE-512.

[chromehorn]

A 205 will have an almost flat sidewall. No stretch. This also does depend on the tire you buy.

Tires would be Falken Ziex ZE-512.

512s are definately smaller than an equivelant Falken 502 or 912. Kumhos are even bigger.

It sounds dumb but I've had the exact same size tires on the exact same rim.

512s....you might have a bit of stretch. Below are some BF Goodrich's. The Falkens will be smaller.

http://tyrestretch.com/cache/7.5_205_40_R17/7.5_205_40_R17_Goodridge_2_595.jpg
http://tyrestretch.com/cache/7.5_205_40_R17/7.5_205_40_R17_Goodridge_595.jpg

[mshriver]

512s run small and are generally shitty tires unless your looking for a stretch. I think I read somewhere where a 205 Falk 512 is more like a 190 if there were such a size. 7.5 is still a skinny rim though and I doubt you see any noticeable stretch.

Just pick a better tire and a 205 will be fine. the difference between 205 and 215 is not very big at all

[98legwag]

512s run small and are generally shitty tires unless your looking for a stretch. I think I read somewhere where a 205 Falk 512 is more like a 190 if there were such a size. 7.5 is still a skinny rim though and I doubt you see any noticeable stretch.

Just pick a better tire and a 205 will be fine. the difference between 205 and 215 is not very big at all

What about the Nitto NT NeoGen ZR? Its only $40 more to get those tires.

[mshriver]

The nitto looks like a pretty good tire.. no personal experience with it though. Also I am sure you can get whatever size tire you want if you call the place your looking at. You dont have to be bullied into a certain size by an internet form.

Heres the difference between a 205/40/16 Falken 512 on my old VW vs a 205/40/16 Federal tire. As you can see the Falkens run small and have flimsy sidewalls which is why they are used so often on cars going for the stretch look.
These are both on my front 16x7.5 inch wheels on my old VW
Falken
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/4527/dscn0289p.jpg
Federal
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/1847/34985410294802499518122.jpg

There will obviously be less stretch with a size 45 sidewall, but you get the gist that 512s run small

[98legwag]

I also have the option of the Yokohama S Drives. Just might not work to well in the snow with summer tires.

[Huffer]

People please... the way a 205 vs a 215 track width LOOKS is very dependent on the tire itself. Some brands of tires have a rim protector part that isn't part of the measured tread and this can make the tire look fatter.

Bottom line: 205 and 215 will fit fine on a 7.5" wide rim.

[mshriver]

Both 205 and 215 will fit. But the Falken tread width does run smaller than most others. It has nothing to do with rim protection. Look at the different tires your considering on tire rack. They physically measure the width of the tread and you can see it vary from tire to tire. Basically if you are worried about getting one that is stretched dont pick a 205 that runs small. If your worried about a 215 being too big (unlinkely) dont get one that runs wider than average. Tire rack also has way better information than discount tire on snow traction etc.

[98legwag]

Thanks for the info guys. I've found two tires that should work with out being stretched too much. I plan to order the wheels/tires by end of the month. That's when the sale ends. Now I have to decided if I want the flat black or charcoal gray wheels.

[jamal]

225/45 will also fit on a 7.5. I have 225 Hankook v12s on my 17x7s and even that's not too much of a stretch.