CarSpecsHQ

205/45R17 vs 215/45R17

215/45R17 is a safe swap for 205/45R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.46%.

17" rim
205/45R17 24.26" · 215/45R17 24.62" · drawn to scale

Side by side

205/45R17215/45R17Difference
Overall diameter24.26"24.62"+0.35" (+1.46%)
Section width205 mm215 mm+10 mm
Sidewall3.63"3.81"+0.18"
Rim17"17"same
Circumference76.2"77.3"+1.1"
Revs per mile831819-12
Ride height——+0.18"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.9+0.9 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.9 mph

With 215/45R17 on a car calibrated for 205/45R17, the speedometer reads 59.1 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.5%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.4 mph
45 mph45.7 mph
60 mph60.9 mph
70 mph71.0 mph
80 mph81.2 mph

Other sizes close to 205/45R17

Questions

Can I replace 205/45R17 with 215/45R17?

215/45R17 is a safe swap for 205/45R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.46%.

What's the difference between 205/45R17 and 215/45R17?

215/45R17 is 0.35" taller and 10 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.18". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.9 mph.

Will 215/45R17 fit on 205/45R17 wheels?

Both use a 17" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 215 mm tire and the fender clearance.