Why does plus sizing rims, make car look higher?

[CB7_OWNER]

Hi..

Just wondering if someone can explain to me... why a car sits higher off the ground when its running 17/18" rims compared to the stock 15". When theoretically, the diameter and circumference of both the 15"+tire is the same as 17"+tire?

Let me give you an example.

195/60/15 has circumference of 76.1 inches
205/45/17 has circumference of 76.2 inches

Although they are almost identical circle sizes... a 17" on the accord looks like its much higher then stock height..

[teaseR]

i think its because the tyre profile rather than the actual size.
lower tyres profile makes ur car look more like 4wd whereas the higher profile tyres make it look filled.

[bennjamin]

take a picture of a car with OEM sized rims. Photoshop the wheels so the "rim" part is bigger...but keep the external dimensions the same. It will look higher. Optical illusion.

Mind you , a car with larger rims WILL be a tiny bit higher. Why ? Because a car with smaller rims/larger tyres will deform slightly due to cars weight. (hence lower)