CarSpecsHQ

215/70R16 vs 215/65R17

215/65R17 is a safe swap for 215/70R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.55%.

16" → 17"
215/70R16 27.85" · 215/65R17 28.00" · drawn to scale

Side by side

215/70R16215/65R17Difference
Overall diameter27.85"28.00"+0.15" (+0.55%)
Section width215 mm215 mm0 mm
Sidewall5.93"5.50"-0.42"
Rim16"17"+1"
Circumference87.5"88.0"+0.5"
Revs per mile724720-4
Ride height——+0.08"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.3+0.3 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.3 mph

With 215/65R17 on a car calibrated for 215/70R16, the speedometer reads 59.7 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.6%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.2 mph
45 mph45.2 mph
60 mph60.3 mph
70 mph70.4 mph
80 mph80.4 mph

Other sizes close to 215/70R16

Questions

Can I replace 215/70R16 with 215/65R17?

215/65R17 is a safe swap for 215/70R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.55%.

What's the difference between 215/70R16 and 215/65R17?

215/65R17 is 0.15" taller and 0 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.42". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.3 mph.

Will 215/65R17 fit on 215/70R16 wheels?

No — 215/70R16 needs a 16" wheel and 215/65R17 a 17" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.