CarSpecsHQ

205/45R17 vs 245/40R17

245/40R17 is a safe swap for 205/45R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.87%.

17" rim
205/45R17 24.26" · 245/40R17 24.72" · drawn to scale

Side by side

205/45R17245/40R17Difference
Overall diameter24.26"24.72"+0.45" (+1.87%)
Section width205 mm245 mm+40 mm
Sidewall3.63"3.86"+0.23"
Rim17"17"same
Circumference76.2"77.6"+1.4"
Revs per mile831816-15
Ride height——+0.23"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.1+1.1 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.1 mph

With 245/40R17 on a car calibrated for 205/45R17, the speedometer reads 58.9 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.9%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.6 mph
45 mph45.8 mph
60 mph61.1 mph
70 mph71.3 mph
80 mph81.5 mph

Other sizes close to 205/45R17

Questions

Can I replace 205/45R17 with 245/40R17?

245/40R17 is a safe swap for 205/45R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.87%.

What's the difference between 205/45R17 and 245/40R17?

245/40R17 is 0.45" taller and 40 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.23". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.1 mph.

Will 245/40R17 fit on 205/45R17 wheels?

Both use a 17" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 245 mm tire and the fender clearance.