215/50R17 vs 215/55R17
215/55R17 is outside the ±3% rule as a replacement for 215/50R17: the diameter differs by +3.32%, so the speedometer, odometer and ABS calibration will be off and clearance needs checking.
Speedometer and odometer
With 215/55R17 on a car calibrated for 215/50R17, the speedometer reads 58.1 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 3.3%.
| Speedo shows | Actual speed |
|---|---|
| 30 mph | 31.0 mph |
| 45 mph | 46.5 mph |
| 60 mph | 62.0 mph |
| 70 mph | 72.3 mph |
| 80 mph | 82.7 mph |
Other sizes close to 215/50R17
- 215/50R17 vs 225/45R17-1.93%
- 215/50R17 vs 245/40R18+0.99%
- 215/50R17 vs 225/50R17+1.55%
- 215/50R17 vs 215/45R17-3.32%
- 215/50R17 vs 205/50R17-1.55%
- 215/50R17 vs 235/40R18-0.25%
- 215/50R17 vs 235/45R17-0.54%
- 215/50R17 vs 245/45R17+0.85%
- 215/50R17 vs 215/55R16-0.60%
- 215/50R17 vs 205/60R16+0.87%
- 215/50R17 vs 245/40R17-2.94%
- 215/50R17 vs 205/45R17-4.72%
Questions
Can I replace 215/50R17 with 215/55R17?
215/55R17 is outside the ±3% rule as a replacement for 215/50R17: the diameter differs by +3.32%, so the speedometer, odometer and ABS calibration will be off and clearance needs checking.
What's the difference between 215/50R17 and 215/55R17?
215/55R17 is 0.85" taller and 0 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.42". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 62.0 mph.
Will 215/55R17 fit on 215/50R17 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.