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Tire Size Comparison

235/55R18 vs 225/65R17

Switching from 235/55R18 to 225/65R17 changes overall diameter by +1.20% (28.18 in → 28.52 in).

+1.20%Safe swap — speedometer error is minor

Speedometer error

With a speedometer calibrated to 235/55R18, fitting 225/65R17 makes it read as follows:

Speedo showsTrue speedSpeedo showsTrue speed
40 km/h40.5 km/h25 mph25 mph
60 km/h60.7 km/h37 mph38 mph
80 km/h81.0 km/h50 mph50 mph
100 km/h101.2 km/h62 mph63 mph
120 km/h121.4 km/h75 mph75 mph

Full comparison

235/55R18
Overall diameter715.7 mm · 28.18 in
Section width235 mm · 9.25 in
Sidewall height129.3 mm · 5.09 in
Circumference2248.4 mm · 88.5 in
Revolutions per mile716
Revolutions per km445
225/65R17
Overall diameter724.3 mm · 28.52 in
Section width225 mm · 8.86 in
Sidewall height146.3 mm · 5.76 in
Circumference2275.5 mm · 89.6 in
Revolutions per mile707
Revolutions per km439
Original tire
New tire
+1.2%Safe swap — speedometer error is minor
28.228.5
Original
Overall diameter715.7 mm · 28.18 in
Sidewall height129.3 mm
Circumference2,248.4 mm
Revolutions / mile715.8
New
Overall diameter724.3 mm · 28.52 in
Sidewall height146.3 mm
Circumference2,275.5 mm
Revolutions / mile707.3
Speedometer & odometer error

The new tire changes overall diameter by +1.2%. 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/h40.5 km/h25 mph25 mph
60 km/h60.7 km/h37 mph38 mph
80 km/h81 km/h50 mph50 mph
100 km/h101.2 km/h62 mph63 mph
120 km/h121.4 km/h75 mph75 mph

See individual specs: 235/55R18 · 225/65R17. A change this size can affect ABS/speed calibration — see wheel-speed codes if a light appears.