CarSpecsHQ

215/65R17 vs 235/65R16

235/65R16 is a safe swap for 215/65R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.08%.

17" → 16"
215/65R17 28.00" · 235/65R16 28.03" · drawn to scale

Side by side

215/65R17235/65R16Difference
Overall diameter28.00"28.03"+0.02" (+0.08%)
Section width215 mm235 mm+20 mm
Sidewall5.50"6.01"+0.51"
Rim17"16"-1"
Circumference88.0"88.1"+0.1"
Revs per mile720720-1
Ride height——+0.01"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.1+0.1 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.1 mph

With 235/65R16 on a car calibrated for 215/65R17, the speedometer reads 59.9 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 mph60.1 mph
70 mph70.1 mph
80 mph80.1 mph

Other sizes close to 215/65R17

Questions

Can I replace 215/65R17 with 235/65R16?

235/65R16 is a safe swap for 215/65R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.08%.

What's the difference between 215/65R17 and 235/65R16?

235/65R16 is 0.02" taller and 20 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.51". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.1 mph.

Will 235/65R16 fit on 215/65R17 wheels?

No — 215/65R17 needs a 17" wheel and 235/65R16 a 16" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.