CarSpecsHQ

235/40R17 vs 225/45R17

225/45R17 is a safe swap for 235/40R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.34%.

17" rim
235/40R17 24.40" · 225/45R17 24.97" · drawn to scale

Side by side

235/40R17225/45R17Difference
Overall diameter24.40"24.97"+0.57" (+2.34%)
Section width235 mm225 mm-10 mm
Sidewall3.70"3.99"+0.29"
Rim17"17"same
Circumference76.7"78.5"+1.8"
Revs per mile827808-19
Ride height——+0.29"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.4+1.4 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.4 mph

With 225/45R17 on a car calibrated for 235/40R17, the speedometer reads 58.6 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.3%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.7 mph
45 mph46.1 mph
60 mph61.4 mph
70 mph71.6 mph
80 mph81.9 mph

Other sizes close to 235/40R17

Questions

Can I replace 235/40R17 with 225/45R17?

225/45R17 is a safe swap for 235/40R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.34%.

What's the difference between 235/40R17 and 225/45R17?

225/45R17 is 0.57" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.29". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.4 mph.

Will 225/45R17 fit on 235/40R17 wheels?

Both use a 17" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 225 mm tire and the fender clearance.