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Tire Size Comparison

235/45R18 vs 215/55R17

Switching from 235/45R18 to 215/55R17 changes overall diameter by -0.06% (26.33 in → 26.31 in).

-0.06%Safe swap — speedometer error is minor

Speedometer error

With a speedometer calibrated to 235/45R18, fitting 215/55R17 makes it read as follows:

Speedo showsTrue speedSpeedo showsTrue speed
40 km/h40.0 km/h25 mph25 mph
60 km/h60.0 km/h37 mph37 mph
80 km/h80.0 km/h50 mph50 mph
100 km/h99.9 km/h62 mph62 mph
120 km/h119.9 km/h75 mph75 mph

Full comparison

235/45R18
Overall diameter668.7 mm · 26.33 in
Section width235 mm · 9.25 in
Sidewall height105.8 mm · 4.16 in
Circumference2100.8 mm · 82.7 in
Revolutions per mile766
Revolutions per km476
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
Original tire
New tire
-0.06%Safe swap — speedometer error is minor
26.326.3
Original
Overall diameter668.7 mm · 26.33 in
Sidewall height105.8 mm
Circumference2,100.8 mm
Revolutions / mile766.1
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 -0.06%. 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/h40 km/h25 mph25 mph
60 km/h60 km/h37 mph37 mph
80 km/h80 km/h50 mph50 mph
100 km/h99.9 km/h62 mph62 mph
120 km/h119.9 km/h75 mph75 mph

See individual specs: 235/45R18 · 215/55R17. A change this size can affect ABS/speed calibration — see wheel-speed codes if a light appears.