I looked and I need tires that are 195/55/16. I know that the wheel size is 16 and I need to keep that the same. I've also found out that here in Sioux City they are hard to come by. But what does the 195 and 55 mean? Can I buy ones that have 215/40 or 205/50? Thanks

 

Basically, the first number is the width of the tire in millimeters, and the second number is the height of the sidewall, shown as a percentage of the width.

So, a 195/55-16 is a tire for a sixteen-inch wheel, and has a width of 195mm, and a sidewall height of about 107mm (55% of 195mm)

If you want to keep the overall diameter of the tire the same, then if you go with a wider tire, you need to go with a shorter sidewall. If you go from 195 mm to 205mm, and lower the aspect ratio from 55% to 50%, you'll be in the right ballpark.

Do a google search for "tire size calculator", and you'll find a bunch of online calculators that will tell you how tall a certain size tire is, and what your speedometer error will be if you go from one tire size to a smaller or larger size.

Scott

 

From tirerack here is the basic information you want to read about-
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=EZ3&url=/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp&techid=46

195/55/16 = Section width /Side aspect ratio /rim size

For your MINI you can also use 205/50-16 and 205/55-16 for street use.
By using different sizes you gain access to different tires since not all tires are made in all sizes.

Since you local area may not have as good a selection of tires for your MINI you can always consider ordering from Tirerack.com.

For example if you want a really good non runflat performance tire in 205/50-16 from tirerack consider the Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position S-03 for $100 each (special closeout price). $128 each for 205/55-16.
see
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=EZ3&url=/tires/Sizes.jsp&make=Bridgestone&model=Potenza+S-03+Pole+Position&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1= yes&partnum=05WR6S03PP
You can get them shipped to you via ground UPS.

In 215/45-17 I paid almost $200 each plus shipping.