Okay. I may have had it backward. From what I saw on a tire website, this is what I was referencing:
Width: 205
This number is the width of the tire in millimeters. This is the most important number to describe a tire's contact patch.
For example, a 215-width, 17-inch tire may look great, but all things being equal, a 245-width, 15-inch tire will out-corner it every time, because the contact patch is wider.
Aspect ratio: 50
This is the height of the sidewall from the rim to the tread, expressed as a percentage of the tread width.
For example, if the tire is 205 mm wide, and its aspect ratio is 50, then the sidewall is about 102.5 mm tall (50 percent of 205 mm).
Sidewall height is important for a number of reasons:
†As you move up to larger wheels, or down to smaller ones, a corresponding change needs to happen in the sidewall height of the tire in order for the rolling diameter of the wheel and tire combination to be as close to stock as possible. This will ensure the accuracy of your speedometer and prevent unwanted alignment changes.
†The sidewall height affects the turn-in feel (the responsiveness you feel at the steering wheel) and the ride quality.
†Lower aspect ratio (shorter sidewall) provides better turn-in response than a higher aspect ratio, but at the expense of less break-away warning and a more jarring ride †in extreme cases, even exposing the wheels to potential bending and breaking damage from potholes and other surface irregularities.
So this is why I was concerned about the depth of the sidewall, if that makes any sense?
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Sunday, October 6th, 2013 AT 3:19 PM
