CarSpecsHQ

215/45R17 vs 245/45R16

245/45R16 is a safe swap for 215/45R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.26%.

17" → 16"
215/45R17 24.62" · 245/45R16 24.68" · drawn to scale

Side by side

215/45R17245/45R16Difference
Overall diameter24.62"24.68"+0.06" (+0.26%)
Section width215 mm245 mm+30 mm
Sidewall3.81"4.34"+0.53"
Rim17"16"-1"
Circumference77.3"77.5"+0.2"
Revs per mile819817-2
Ride height——+0.03"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.2+0.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.2 mph

With 245/45R16 on a car calibrated for 215/45R17, the speedometer reads 59.8 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.3%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.1 mph
45 mph45.1 mph
60 mph60.2 mph
70 mph70.2 mph
80 mph80.2 mph

Other sizes close to 215/45R17

Questions

Can I replace 215/45R17 with 245/45R16?

245/45R16 is a safe swap for 215/45R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.26%.

What's the difference between 215/45R17 and 245/45R16?

245/45R16 is 0.06" taller and 30 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.53". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.2 mph.

Will 245/45R16 fit on 215/45R17 wheels?

No — 215/45R17 needs a 17" wheel and 245/45R16 a 16" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.