HDClown

Everyone knows the S03's run wide. So I started looking at sectional width's on 225/40/18 tires. The S03 was the widest at 9.2"

Then you have a few at 8.9 like the Dunlop SP8000 and the PZero Rosso, Pilot Sport. The Kumho 712 runs in at 9.1.

Now is the sectional width the accurate measurement to consider when you figure how an S03 will rub in many situations where as another tire won't? Or is there another measurement to consider?

CraigB

For example, tread width could be wider than sectional width if the tire is mounted on the minimum width rim recommended for that tire size. Of course, if you are running an 8.5" wide rim, you might want to go with a tire that has a narrower section width anyway.

Eddie@Tirerack

Each mfr measures their own tire & provides the specs, but the measurement is the standard mounted & loaded at the centermost point of the sidewall.

A variance of .3..3" should not make a difference.

Call me with any questions or if you should need!

ex-quattro PETE

When you compare tire specs like the sectional width, make sure it's been measured when the tires were mounted on the same width rim, because the same tire will have a different sectional width if mounted on a 7"-wide rim vs. 8"-wide rim.

But you probably knew that already.

Anyway, yes, assuming the rim width stays the same, I'd look at sectional width and try to have it as small as possible to minimize any rubbing issues from the sides. The rim protectors on some tires can stick out further than on others. I assume that accounts for part of the difference in sectional width...

And like Eddie mentioned, the differences are relatively small anyway. But if you're really tight on space, I guess every millimeter matters :-)

HPH

Man, I just love those bananas.