How do I get wider tires?

[workinmanfred]

My 95 CV is in need of tires. I would like to maybe try a wider tire. Currently it has 215/70-15's on it. How do I buy a wider tire? Do I go up to a 225/70-15 or does it go up to 215/80-15's. Is that a stupid question? I know the 15 is the rim size..what are the other numbers?...Will going up one size affect mileage that much? or handling?

Thanks for the info

[way2old]

Changing the tire size will cause the PCM to change shift points, fuel consumption, possible ABS problems. I do not think changing the size will gain you anything.

[Stick462]

Here is a nice tool you can play with to find a wider tire that wont upset your speedo.You could switch to 225-60.15 for 1/2 inch wider or 225-60-16 for 1 inch wider.Read the information below this tool as you change tire sizes for speedo changes to see the different. Try this tool and judge for your self http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by workinmanfred

I know the 15 is the rim size..what are the other numbers?...

for 225/60 R15..... the '225' is the tire carcass width (not tread width) in millimeters.

The '60' is the "aspect ratio" In this case, it means the tire height is 60% of the carcass width.

The 'R' means its a radial tire construction (and not a bias-ply).