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Tire Size Comparison

255/65R17 vs 245/70R16

Switching from 255/65R17 to 245/70R16 changes overall diameter by -1.82% (30.05 in → 29.50 in).

-1.82%Safe swap — speedometer error is minor

Speedometer error

With a speedometer calibrated to 255/65R17, fitting 245/70R16 makes it read as follows:

Speedo showsTrue speedSpeedo showsTrue speed
40 km/h39.3 km/h25 mph24 mph
60 km/h58.9 km/h37 mph37 mph
80 km/h78.5 km/h50 mph49 mph
100 km/h98.2 km/h62 mph61 mph
120 km/h117.8 km/h75 mph73 mph

Full comparison

255/65R17
Overall diameter763.3 mm · 30.05 in
Section width255 mm · 10.04 in
Sidewall height165.8 mm · 6.53 in
Circumference2398.0 mm · 94.4 in
Revolutions per mile671
Revolutions per km417
245/70R16
Overall diameter749.4 mm · 29.50 in
Section width245 mm · 9.65 in
Sidewall height171.5 mm · 6.75 in
Circumference2354.3 mm · 92.7 in
Revolutions per mile684
Revolutions per km425
Original tire
New tire
-1.82%Safe swap — speedometer error is minor
30.129.5
Original
Overall diameter763.3 mm · 30.05 in
Sidewall height165.8 mm
Circumference2,398 mm
Revolutions / mile671.1
New
Overall diameter749.4 mm · 29.5 in
Sidewall height171.5 mm
Circumference2,354.3 mm
Revolutions / mile683.6
Speedometer & odometer error

The new tire changes overall diameter by -1.82%. 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/h39.3 km/h25 mph24 mph
60 km/h58.9 km/h37 mph37 mph
80 km/h78.5 km/h50 mph49 mph
100 km/h98.2 km/h62 mph61 mph
120 km/h117.8 km/h75 mph73 mph

See individual specs: 255/65R17 · 245/70R16. A change this size can affect ABS/speed calibration — see wheel-speed codes if a light appears.