http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2465103728

I have these wheels there 17x8 with 275/17 tires, will my car handle better with some 17x9 or 9.5 with same tires, but your adding weight right? thanks...

 

Almost all manufacturers recommend at least a 9" wide wheel for a 275/40-17. Dunlop is the exception... they allow use of an 8.5" wheel. Too wide a tire on too narrow a wheel will stress the tire and cause temperature increase as the sidewall and tread flex bend to accomodate the incorrect mounting width. Might never notice it, but it will probably shorten carcass life and tread life. Might reduce contact patch and reduce stability... who knows?

Well maybe the tire "injuneers" who design the tires to fit on specific wheels widths might.

 

I've wondered that too. Eagle has those nice 17" wheels but only 8" wide instead of our usual 9.5". I've seen tons of people put just a normal 275/40 on there with no problem. Wondered if it made a difference though. Also if it was noticable visually. Those rims are pretty cheap and still look good, it's tempting.


Edit: haha I didn't even look at the link you posted before I typed what I said. Then I went back and looked at it. Ended up being the exact same wheel I was talking about....wierd.

 

Yea , i want to know too. Does anybody esle have ideas, look like have more wheel would cuase less flex on the tire duruing load...

 

beyond what is mentioned here, the handling of the car will be worse on a 8" rim.

Wider wheel is much better(to a point). I ran 245/16s on a 16x10.. they were WAY better than a 245 on a 16x8

 

Hes right....
IF you put to whide a tire on the wheel then the sidewalls can moce, giving you less traction.
They can move to the point tha the rim of the tire will hit the groundand after that its only badness.
When I had my grand am I had 275 on a rim made for 235s, they were great sticky tires, but when I turned real hard the lip the the wheel would toutch the ground, and it really chewed up my wheels.

 

17x9 is better but still the minimum for a 275/40/17. You'd probably be best off with a 10" wheel or as close to it as you can get. For 17x8's you may want to switch to a 245 series tire.

 

I agree, go with atleast a 9" wide wheel.