CarSpecsHQ

245/40R15 vs 225/45R15

225/45R15 is a safe swap for 245/40R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.13%.

15" rim
245/40R15 22.72" · 225/45R15 22.97" · drawn to scale

Side by side

245/40R15225/45R15Difference
Overall diameter22.72"22.97"+0.26" (+1.13%)
Section width245 mm225 mm-20 mm
Sidewall3.86"3.99"+0.13"
Rim15"15"same
Circumference71.4"72.2"+0.8"
Revs per mile888878-10
Ride height——+0.13"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.7+0.7 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.7 mph

With 225/45R15 on a car calibrated for 245/40R15, the speedometer reads 59.3 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.1%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.3 mph
45 mph45.5 mph
60 mph60.7 mph
70 mph70.8 mph
80 mph80.9 mph

Other sizes close to 245/40R15

Questions

Can I replace 245/40R15 with 225/45R15?

225/45R15 is a safe swap for 245/40R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.13%.

What's the difference between 245/40R15 and 225/45R15?

225/45R15 is 0.26" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.13". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.7 mph.

Will 225/45R15 fit on 245/40R15 wheels?

Both use a 15" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 225 mm tire and the fender clearance.