215/45R17 vs 215/55R16
New overall diameter
25.31″
was 24.62″
True speed at an indicated 60
61.7 mph
your speedo reads low
Revolutions per mile
797
was 819, −22
| Measurement | 215/45R17 | 215/55R16 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 24.62″ | 25.31″ | +0.69″ (+2.8%) |
| Sidewall height | 3.81″ (96.8 mm) | 4.66″ (118.3 mm) | +21.5 mm |
| Tread width | 215 mm | 215 mm | +0 mm |
| Circumference | 77.34″ | 79.52″ | +2.18″ |
| Revs per mile | 819 | 797 | −22 |
| Speedometer error | baseline | +2.8% | reads low |
Diameter overlay
215/45R17 215/55R16
Speedometer check
With 215/55R16 fitted, when the speedometer shows the indicated speed, your actual speed is:
25 mph shown
25.7 mph actual
35 mph shown
36.0 mph actual
45 mph shown
46.3 mph actual
55 mph shown
56.5 mph actual
65 mph shown
66.8 mph actual
75 mph shown
77.1 mph actual
Common questions
- Will 215/55R16 fit instead of 215/45R17?
- Diameter moves 2.8%, comfortably inside the 3% rule. Your speedometer, ABS, traction control and gearing all stay in the range they were calibrated for. Your speedometer will read low, so you are going faster than it says. Overall diameter goes from 24.62″ to 25.31″, a change of +2.8%. The rule of thumb most shops use: under 3% is fine, 3 to 5% needs a clearance check, over 5% needs recalibration.
- How far off will my speedometer read on 215/55R16?
- At an indicated 60 mph you are really doing about 61.7 mph, a +2.8% error. The speedometer reads low, so you are going faster than it shows.
- What is the difference in revolutions per mile between 215/45R17 and 215/55R16?
- 215/45R17 turns about 819 times per mile and 215/55R16 turns about 797, a difference of −22. Your speedometer and odometer both count rotations, so this number is what throws them off.