Simple:
205/55/16 is our stock size, at 53mm offset
205 is the width of the tire
55 is the ratio of height to wifth (think 55%)
16 is the diameter of the rim (so you have 16" rims)
53mm is how far off center the mounting edge of the rim is from the actual center of the rim. So, 0mm would mean that when you mount the wheel to the car, the rim has 50% of the rim sticking out towards the street, and 50% of the rim sticks in (over the brakes and hub for example).
In comparison to our 53mm rims, some people use a 48mm rim, which physically moves the tires closer to the car (and sometimes hits the strut depending on the width of the tires - like a 225/45/16). A 42mm rim would most likely hit the strut, because now the center of the rim is farther from the car, but that means the physical rim is closer to the car.
I think that's about how it works.
To prove me wrong, just go to www.Tirerack.com and they have it all, with pictures!
205/55/16 is our stock size, at 53mm offset
205 is the width of the tire
55 is the ratio of height to wifth (think 55%)
16 is the diameter of the rim (so you have 16" rims)
53mm is how far off center the mounting edge of the rim is from the actual center of the rim. So, 0mm would mean that when you mount the wheel to the car, the rim has 50% of the rim sticking out towards the street, and 50% of the rim sticks in (over the brakes and hub for example).
In comparison to our 53mm rims, some people use a 48mm rim, which physically moves the tires closer to the car (and sometimes hits the strut depending on the width of the tires - like a 225/45/16). A 42mm rim would most likely hit the strut, because now the center of the rim is farther from the car, but that means the physical rim is closer to the car.
I think that's about how it works.
To prove me wrong, just go to www.Tirerack.com and they have it all, with pictures!
