CarSpecsHQ

215/55R16 vs 235/45R17

235/45R17 is a safe swap for 215/55R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.06%.

16" → 17"
215/55R16 25.31" · 235/45R17 25.33" · drawn to scale

Side by side

215/55R16235/45R17Difference
Overall diameter25.31"25.33"+0.02" (+0.06%)
Section width215 mm235 mm+20 mm
Sidewall4.66"4.16"-0.49"
Rim16"17"+1"
Circumference79.5"79.6"+0.0"
Revs per mile797796-0
Ride height——+0.01"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.0+0.0 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.0 mph

With 235/45R17 on a car calibrated for 215/55R16, the speedometer reads 60.0 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.1%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.0 mph
45 mph45.0 mph
60 mph60.0 mph
70 mph70.0 mph
80 mph80.0 mph

Other sizes close to 215/55R16

Questions

Can I replace 215/55R16 with 235/45R17?

235/45R17 is a safe swap for 215/55R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.06%.

What's the difference between 215/55R16 and 235/45R17?

235/45R17 is 0.02" taller and 20 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.49". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.0 mph.

Will 235/45R17 fit on 215/55R16 wheels?

No — 215/55R16 needs a 16" wheel and 235/45R17 a 17" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.