215/45R17 vs 205/55R17
205/55R17 is outside the ±3% rule as a replacement for 215/45R17: the diameter differs by +5.12%, so the speedometer, odometer and ABS calibration will be off and clearance needs checking.
Speedometer and odometer
With 205/55R17 on a car calibrated for 215/45R17, the speedometer reads 57.1 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 5.1%.
| 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 215/45R17
- 215/45R17 vs 225/45R17+1.44%
- 215/45R17 vs 205/50R17+1.84%
- 215/45R17 vs 215/50R17+3.44%
- 215/45R17 vs 235/45R17+2.88%
- 215/45R17 vs 245/45R17+4.32%
- 215/45R17 vs 245/40R17+0.40%
- 215/45R17 vs 205/45R17-1.44%
- 215/45R17 vs 255/40R17+1.68%
- 215/45R17 vs 195/55R16-0.70%
- 215/45R17 vs 245/35R18+0.54%
- 215/45R17 vs 225/50R16+0.98%
- 215/45R17 vs 275/40R17+4.24%
Questions
Can I replace 215/45R17 with 205/55R17?
205/55R17 is outside the ±3% rule as a replacement for 215/45R17: the diameter differs by +5.12%, so the speedometer, odometer and ABS calibration will be off and clearance needs checking.
What's the difference between 215/45R17 and 205/55R17?
205/55R17 is 1.26" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.63". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 63.1 mph.
Will 205/55R17 fit on 215/45R17 wheels?
Both use a 17" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 205 mm tire and the fender clearance.