Explanation of Tire Rim Width

One of the measurments of a rims size is width

There are two main measurements of a rims size. The diameter, which is essentially the height of the rim, and the width. The width of the rim will determine how wide of a tire you can install.

Bead Seats

Bead seats, which are the edges of the wheel that come in contact and seal a tire, determine the width of the wheel. The width of a rim is the distance between the two bead seats in inches.

Tire Width

The width of the tire is measured in millimeters and is the distance from one sidewall of the tire to the other.

Increased Performance

Wider tire and rim combinations give higher performance than smaller combinations. This is because wider tires have more tread on the ground which in turn increases traction.

Lower Gas Mileage

Unfortunately, wider tire and rim combination decrease the gas mileage of the car for much of the same reasons that it increases performance. The additional contact with the ground increases the friction between the road and the tire.

Price of Wide Rims and Tires

Wider rims and tires tend to be much more expensive than thinner ones. Wider tires use more rubber in the manufacturing process while wider rims contain more metal.

References

• Gemplers: How to Measure Tires and Rims