215/55R18 vs 235/55R18
235/55R18 is outside the ±3% rule as a replacement for 215/55R18: the diameter differs by +3.17%, so the speedometer, odometer and ABS calibration will be off and clearance needs checking.
Speedometer and odometer
With 235/55R18 on a car calibrated for 215/55R18, the speedometer reads 58.2 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 3.2%.
| Speedo shows | Actual speed |
|---|---|
| 30 mph | 31.0 mph |
| 45 mph | 46.4 mph |
| 60 mph | 61.9 mph |
| 70 mph | 72.2 mph |
| 80 mph | 82.5 mph |
Other sizes close to 215/55R18
- 215/55R18 vs 225/45R18-4.90%
- 215/55R18 vs 245/45R18-2.31%
- 215/55R18 vs 235/50R18-0.22%
- 215/55R18 vs 235/45R18-3.60%
- 215/55R18 vs 235/55R17-0.49%
- 215/55R18 vs 225/60R18+4.83%
- 215/55R18 vs 225/50R18-1.66%
- 215/55R18 vs 225/55R18+1.59%
- 215/55R18 vs 255/40R18-4.69%
- 215/55R18 vs 215/60R17-0.56%
- 215/55R18 vs 245/50R18+1.23%
- 215/55R18 vs 255/45R18-1.01%
Questions
Can I replace 215/55R18 with 235/55R18?
235/55R18 is outside the ±3% rule as a replacement for 215/55R18: the diameter differs by +3.17%, so the speedometer, odometer and ABS calibration will be off and clearance needs checking.
What's the difference between 215/55R18 and 235/55R18?
235/55R18 is 0.87" taller and 20 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.43". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.9 mph.
Will 235/55R18 fit on 215/55R18 wheels?
Both use a 18" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 235 mm tire and the fender clearance.