3 numbers on a tire 2xx/40/17 what does the 1st # mean?

and whats the largest 2xx- that a civic sedan 2005 can house?

oh yeah check this place out http://www.hubcap-tire-wheel.com/cus...eels/index.htm

 

the first is teh width in mm, the second is the percent of the first number that shows the sidewall. so if its 200/50/15, then the 200 is mm wide, 50 means the sidewall is 50% of the width of the tread, in this case, 100mm, and finally, the last is wheel diameter.


205s or 215 should fit, but it depends on lowering, wheel height, and rim offset. also, if you go too wide, they will rub on the inside. or maybe even the outside. 205 is a pretty safe number though.

 

Just to add to sacicons answer, the last number is in inches. (I don't know why they've mixed metric measurement with standard measurement)

 

oh, good point. that could get confusing