205/50R16 vs 215/55R16
215/55R16 is outside the ±3% rule as a replacement for 205/50R16: the diameter differs by +5.15%, so the speedometer, odometer and ABS calibration will be off and clearance needs checking.
Speedometer and odometer
With 215/55R16 on a car calibrated for 205/50R16, the speedometer reads 57.1 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 5.2%.
| Speedo shows | Actual speed |
|---|---|
| 30 mph | 31.5 mph |
| 45 mph | 47.3 mph |
| 60 mph | 63.1 mph |
| 70 mph | 73.6 mph |
| 80 mph | 84.1 mph |
Other sizes close to 205/50R16
- 205/50R16 vs 205/55R16+3.35%
- 205/50R16 vs 205/45R17+0.80%
- 205/50R16 vs 195/60R15+0.59%
- 205/50R16 vs 195/55R16+1.55%
- 205/50R16 vs 225/50R16+3.27%
- 205/50R16 vs 175/65R15-0.47%
- 205/50R16 vs 195/50R16-1.64%
- 205/50R16 vs 185/55R16-0.25%
- 205/50R16 vs 205/45R16-3.35%
- 205/50R16 vs 225/50R15-0.88%
- 205/50R16 vs 245/45R16+2.54%
Questions
Can I replace 205/50R16 with 215/55R16?
215/55R16 is outside the ±3% rule as a replacement for 205/50R16: the diameter differs by +5.15%, so the speedometer, odometer and ABS calibration will be off and clearance needs checking.
What's the difference between 205/50R16 and 215/55R16?
215/55R16 is 1.24" taller and 10 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.62". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 63.1 mph.
Will 215/55R16 fit on 205/50R16 wheels?
Both use a 16" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 215 mm tire and the fender clearance.