CarSpecsHQ

225/45R17 vs 255/35R18

255/35R18 is a safe swap for 225/45R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.22%.

17" → 18"
225/45R17 24.97" · 255/35R18 25.03" · drawn to scale

Side by side

225/45R17255/35R18Difference
Overall diameter24.97"25.03"+0.06" (+0.22%)
Section width225 mm255 mm+30 mm
Sidewall3.99"3.51"-0.47"
Rim17"18"+1"
Circumference78.5"78.6"+0.2"
Revs per mile808806-2
Ride height——+0.03"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.1+0.1 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.1 mph

With 255/35R18 on a car calibrated for 225/45R17, the speedometer reads 59.9 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.2%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.1 mph
45 mph45.1 mph
60 mph60.1 mph
70 mph70.2 mph
80 mph80.2 mph

Other sizes close to 225/45R17

Questions

Can I replace 225/45R17 with 255/35R18?

255/35R18 is a safe swap for 225/45R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.22%.

What's the difference between 225/45R17 and 255/35R18?

255/35R18 is 0.06" taller and 30 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.47". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.1 mph.

Will 255/35R18 fit on 225/45R17 wheels?

No — 225/45R17 needs a 17" wheel and 255/35R18 a 18" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.