smaller series tire

i have 215/40/17
im also having some tire rubbing problems....i think going to a not so wide tire will solve my problem....i thin 205 will work but some of my friends say it wont cause my wheels wont accomadate them...is this true?

how wide are your wheels?

they are 17x7....i should be able to put 205 series on there despite the fact im running on 215 right?....215 is more like a truck tire size it seems like....i ordered my tires off of tirerack.com ...and i ordered each tire individualy and each time they called me back to comfirm the tire size...they said they were too wide for my can and i told them thats the size that was on it when i bought it.....i knew zero about then so i just ordered the size that was already on my car....i should get 205's shouldnt i?

i have a 99 civic cpe with 17x7 and i have 205/40/17 and they dont rub you should be fine with a 205 series tire