-1.30%Safe swap — speedometer error is minor
Speedometer error
With a speedometer calibrated to 235/40R18, fitting 205/50R17 makes it read as follows:
| Speedo shows | True speed | Speedo shows | True speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 km/h | 39.5 km/h | 25 mph | 25 mph |
| 60 km/h | 59.2 km/h | 37 mph | 37 mph |
| 80 km/h | 79.0 km/h | 50 mph | 49 mph |
| 100 km/h | 98.7 km/h | 62 mph | 61 mph |
| 120 km/h | 118.4 km/h | 75 mph | 74 mph |
Full comparison
235/40R18
Overall diameter645.2 mm · 25.40 in
Section width235 mm · 9.25 in
Sidewall height94.0 mm · 3.70 in
Circumference2027.0 mm · 79.8 in
Revolutions per mile794
Revolutions per km493
205/50R17
Overall diameter636.8 mm · 25.07 in
Section width205 mm · 8.07 in
Sidewall height102.5 mm · 4.04 in
Circumference2000.6 mm · 78.8 in
Revolutions per mile804
Revolutions per km500
-1.3%Safe swap — speedometer error is minor
Original
Overall diameter645.2 mm · 25.4 in
Sidewall height94 mm
Circumference2,027 mm
Revolutions / mile794
New
Overall diameter636.8 mm · 25.07 in
Sidewall height102.5 mm
Circumference2,000.6 mm
Revolutions / mile804.4
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 | 39.5 km/h | 25 mph | 25 mph |
| 60 km/h | 59.2 km/h | 37 mph | 37 mph |
| 80 km/h | 79 km/h | 50 mph | 49 mph |
| 100 km/h | 98.7 km/h | 62 mph | 61 mph |
| 120 km/h | 118.4 km/h | 75 mph | 74 mph |
See individual specs: 235/40R18 · 205/50R17. A change this size can affect ABS/speed calibration — see wheel-speed codes if a light appears.