What is the difference between 255/40/zr17 and 275/40/zr17 tires? What do you guys recommend.

I currently have the stock 16" on

thanks!

 

The 255/40 is going to be a skinnier than the 275/40. Also the 255 will be lower profile meaning the sidewall will be shorter. Depends on where you get the tires. I would actually recommend both if you could. Get the 275s for the rear tires and put 255s on your front tires. You want wider tires in the back for better traction, and skinnier tires up front b/c wide front tires cause problems with bumps, steering alignment and such and it becomes a hassle.

 

thanks for the help, i like the sound of the different tire sizes and will contemplate doing that.

i know this sounds dumb, but both will fit on my rim right? (17inches)

 

No those tires will not fit on your wheel. The last number of the three on the side of the tire it the diameter of the wheel it will fit on. So those exact tires will fit a 17in wheel not your 16. Also I am pretty sure that you can not fit a 275 tire on the stock 16s. But some one else clarify that one for me.

Adam

 

the last number is the rim size. Sso 255/40/17 will fit on a 17 inch rim. If it was 255/40/16 then it would fit on a 16 inch rim. Hope that clears it up.

 

Go here:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/general/size.htm

 

If he stated both are 40, the sidewall should be the same height.




If you do this, you won't be able to rotate your tires.

 

Actually no, the 40 is a percentage of the first number. Thus 40 % of 255 is going to net you a smaller sidewall than 40% of 275.


So, Vettes have 17s in front and 18s in back. They cant rotate them either.