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Tire Size Comparison

225/45R18 vs 225/50R17

Switching from 225/45R18 to 225/50R17 changes overall diameter by -0.44% (25.97 in → 25.86 in).

-0.44%Safe swap — speedometer error is minor

Speedometer error

With a speedometer calibrated to 225/45R18, fitting 225/50R17 makes it read as follows:

Speedo showsTrue speedSpeedo showsTrue speed
40 km/h39.8 km/h25 mph25 mph
60 km/h59.7 km/h37 mph37 mph
80 km/h79.6 km/h50 mph49 mph
100 km/h99.6 km/h62 mph62 mph
120 km/h119.5 km/h75 mph74 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
225/50R17
Overall diameter656.8 mm · 25.86 in
Section width225 mm · 8.86 in
Sidewall height112.5 mm · 4.43 in
Circumference2063.4 mm · 81.2 in
Revolutions per mile780
Revolutions per km485
Original tire
New tire
-0.44%Safe swap — speedometer error is minor
2625.9
Original
Overall diameter659.7 mm · 25.97 in
Sidewall height101.3 mm
Circumference2,072.5 mm
Revolutions / mile776.5
New
Overall diameter656.8 mm · 25.86 in
Sidewall height112.5 mm
Circumference2,063.4 mm
Revolutions / mile779.9
Speedometer & odometer error

The new tire changes overall diameter by -0.44%. 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 showsTrue speedSpeedo showsTrue speed
40 km/h39.8 km/h25 mph25 mph
60 km/h59.7 km/h37 mph37 mph
80 km/h79.6 km/h50 mph49 mph
100 km/h99.6 km/h62 mph62 mph
120 km/h119.5 km/h75 mph74 mph

See individual specs: 225/45R18 · 225/50R17. A change this size can affect ABS/speed calibration — see wheel-speed codes if a light appears.