CarSpecsHQ

215/70R16 vs 235/60R17

235/60R17 is a safe swap for 215/70R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.90%.

16" → 17"
215/70R16 27.85" · 235/60R17 28.10" · drawn to scale

Side by side

215/70R16235/60R17Difference
Overall diameter27.85"28.10"+0.25" (+0.90%)
Section width215 mm235 mm+20 mm
Sidewall5.93"5.55"-0.37"
Rim16"17"+1"
Circumference87.5"88.3"+0.8"
Revs per mile724718-6
Ride height——+0.13"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.5+0.5 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.5 mph

With 235/60R17 on a car calibrated for 215/70R16, the speedometer reads 59.5 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.9%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.3 mph
45 mph45.4 mph
60 mph60.5 mph
70 mph70.6 mph
80 mph80.7 mph

Other sizes close to 215/70R16

Questions

Can I replace 215/70R16 with 235/60R17?

235/60R17 is a safe swap for 215/70R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.90%.

What's the difference between 215/70R16 and 235/60R17?

235/60R17 is 0.25" taller and 20 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.37". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.5 mph.

Will 235/60R17 fit on 215/70R16 wheels?

No — 215/70R16 needs a 16" wheel and 235/60R17 a 17" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.