-3.76%Borderline — noticeable speedometer/odometer error
Speedometer error
With a speedometer calibrated to 205/70R15, fitting 215/55R16 makes it read as follows:
| Speedo shows | True speed | Speedo shows | True speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 km/h | 38.5 km/h | 25 mph | 24 mph |
| 60 km/h | 57.7 km/h | 37 mph | 36 mph |
| 80 km/h | 77.0 km/h | 50 mph | 48 mph |
| 100 km/h | 96.2 km/h | 62 mph | 60 mph |
| 120 km/h | 115.5 km/h | 75 mph | 72 mph |
Full comparison
205/70R15
Overall diameter668.0 mm · 26.30 in
Section width205 mm · 8.07 in
Sidewall height143.5 mm · 5.65 in
Circumference2098.6 mm · 82.6 in
Revolutions per mile767
Revolutions per km477
215/55R16
Overall diameter642.9 mm · 25.31 in
Section width215 mm · 8.46 in
Sidewall height118.3 mm · 4.66 in
Circumference2019.7 mm · 79.5 in
Revolutions per mile797
Revolutions per km495
-3.76%Borderline — noticeable speedometer/odometer error
Original
Overall diameter668 mm · 26.3 in
Sidewall height143.5 mm
Circumference2,098.6 mm
Revolutions / mile766.9
New
Overall diameter642.9 mm · 25.31 in
Sidewall height118.3 mm
Circumference2,019.7 mm
Revolutions / mile796.8
Speedometer & odometer error
The new tire changes overall diameter by -3.76%. With a speedometer calibrated to the original tire, that same percentage is how far the speedometer and odometer read off — a taller tire means your true speed is higher than indicated and the odometer under-counts distance.
| Speedo shows | True speed | Speedo shows | True speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 km/h | 38.5 km/h | 25 mph | 24 mph |
| 60 km/h | 57.7 km/h | 37 mph | 36 mph |
| 80 km/h | 77 km/h | 50 mph | 48 mph |
| 100 km/h | 96.2 km/h | 62 mph | 60 mph |
| 120 km/h | 115.5 km/h | 75 mph | 72 mph |
See individual specs: 205/70R15 · 215/55R16. A change this size can affect ABS/speed calibration — see wheel-speed codes if a light appears.