+1.30%Safe swap — speedometer error is minor
Speedometer error
With a speedometer calibrated to 225/45R18, fitting 215/55R17 makes it read as follows:
| Speedo shows | True speed | Speedo shows | True speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 km/h | 40.5 km/h | 25 mph | 25 mph |
| 60 km/h | 60.8 km/h | 37 mph | 38 mph |
| 80 km/h | 81.0 km/h | 50 mph | 50 mph |
| 100 km/h | 101.3 km/h | 62 mph | 63 mph |
| 120 km/h | 121.6 km/h | 75 mph | 76 mph |
Full comparison
225/45R18
Overall diameter659.7 mm · 25.97 in
Section width225 mm · 8.86 in
Sidewall height101.3 mm · 3.99 in
Circumference2072.5 mm · 81.6 in
Revolutions per mile777
Revolutions per km483
215/55R17
Overall diameter668.3 mm · 26.31 in
Section width215 mm · 8.46 in
Sidewall height118.3 mm · 4.66 in
Circumference2099.5 mm · 82.7 in
Revolutions per mile767
Revolutions per km476
+1.3%Safe swap — speedometer error is minor
Original
Overall diameter659.7 mm · 25.97 in
Sidewall height101.3 mm
Circumference2,072.5 mm
Revolutions / mile776.5
New
Overall diameter668.3 mm · 26.31 in
Sidewall height118.3 mm
Circumference2,099.5 mm
Revolutions / mile766.5
Speedometer & odometer error
The new tire changes overall diameter by +1.3%. 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 | 40.5 km/h | 25 mph | 25 mph |
| 60 km/h | 60.8 km/h | 37 mph | 38 mph |
| 80 km/h | 81 km/h | 50 mph | 50 mph |
| 100 km/h | 101.3 km/h | 62 mph | 63 mph |
| 120 km/h | 121.6 km/h | 75 mph | 76 mph |
See individual specs: 225/45R18 · 215/55R17. A change this size can affect ABS/speed calibration — see wheel-speed codes if a light appears.