CarSpecsHQ

215/60R17 vs 235/55R17

235/55R17 is a safe swap for 215/60R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.07%.

17" rim
215/60R17 27.16" · 235/55R17 27.18" · drawn to scale

Side by side

215/60R17235/55R17Difference
Overall diameter27.16"27.18"+0.02" (+0.07%)
Section width215 mm235 mm+20 mm
Sidewall5.08"5.09"+0.01"
Rim17"17"same
Circumference85.3"85.4"+0.1"
Revs per mile743742-1
Ride height——+0.01"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.0+0.0 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.0 mph

With 235/55R17 on a car calibrated for 215/60R17, 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 mph70.1 mph
80 mph80.1 mph

Other sizes close to 215/60R17

Questions

Can I replace 215/60R17 with 235/55R17?

235/55R17 is a safe swap for 215/60R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.07%.

What's the difference between 215/60R17 and 235/55R17?

235/55R17 is 0.02" taller and 20 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.01". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.0 mph.

Will 235/55R17 fit on 215/60R17 wheels?

Both use a 17" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 235 mm tire and the fender clearance.