Skip to main content
Tire Size Comparison

245/45R18 vs 215/55R17

Switching from 245/45R18 to 215/55R17 changes overall diameter by -1.39% (26.68 in → 26.31 in).

-1.39%Safe swap — speedometer error is minor

Speedometer error

With a speedometer calibrated to 245/45R18, fitting 215/55R17 makes it read as follows:

Speedo showsTrue speedSpeedo showsTrue speed
40 km/h39.4 km/h25 mph25 mph
60 km/h59.2 km/h37 mph37 mph
80 km/h78.9 km/h50 mph49 mph
100 km/h98.6 km/h62 mph61 mph
120 km/h118.3 km/h75 mph74 mph

Full comparison

245/45R18
Overall diameter677.7 mm · 26.68 in
Section width245 mm · 9.65 in
Sidewall height110.3 mm · 4.34 in
Circumference2129.1 mm · 83.8 in
Revolutions per mile756
Revolutions per km470
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
-1.39%Safe swap — speedometer error is minor
26.726.3
Original
Overall diameter677.7 mm · 26.68 in
Sidewall height110.3 mm
Circumference2,129.1 mm
Revolutions / mile755.9
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 -1.39%. 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/h39.4 km/h25 mph25 mph
60 km/h59.2 km/h37 mph37 mph
80 km/h78.9 km/h50 mph49 mph
100 km/h98.6 km/h62 mph61 mph
120 km/h118.3 km/h75 mph74 mph

See individual specs: 245/45R18 · 215/55R17. A change this size can affect ABS/speed calibration — see wheel-speed codes if a light appears.