tire sizes, explain please Options

[Cormudgen]

can someone explain to me what each part of a tire size is?

for example i found a good deal on some 17" rims that have tires included with the size of 215/45/17. i understand that the last number is the rim size they will fit but that is the extent of my knolwedge. one of my fiends just ordered rims for 300zx and the tires included have a really thick(high) sidewall. I don't want my tires to be almost as big as my rims. i understand the more lo profile the tire is the worse ride quality but i am willing to sacrifice that. so can you explain what each number means and recomend a good tire size in both 18" and 17" where my sidewalll wont' be to high.

thanks
cormudgen

[PowellCelica]

K..... 17 is the diameter/rim size, you know that much right?

The 215 stands for how wide the tire will be...

The 45 is the percentage of the sidewall that will show...the smaller the number the smaller amount of sidewall you will see. Like the 235/35/18 tires are really small and the 215/45/17 tires and the 215/40/17 tires are what most people use around here for the celi. My person pref. is the 215/45/17 because you still have enough sidwall for comfort and I LOVE wider tires.