CarSpecsHQ

245/40R17 vs 225/50R17

225/50R17 is outside the ±3% rule as a replacement for 245/40R17: the diameter differs by +4.62%, so the speedometer, odometer and ABS calibration will be off and clearance needs checking.

17" rim
245/40R17 24.72" · 225/50R17 25.86" · drawn to scale

Side by side

245/40R17225/50R17Difference
Overall diameter24.72"25.86"+1.14" (+4.62%)
Section width245 mm225 mm-20 mm
Sidewall3.86"4.43"+0.57"
Rim17"17"same
Circumference77.6"81.2"+3.6"
Revs per mile816780-36
Ride height——+0.57"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.062.8+2.8 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 62.8 mph

With 225/50R17 on a car calibrated for 245/40R17, the speedometer reads 57.4 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 4.6%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph31.4 mph
45 mph47.1 mph
60 mph62.8 mph
70 mph73.2 mph
80 mph83.7 mph

Other sizes close to 245/40R17

Questions

Can I replace 245/40R17 with 225/50R17?

225/50R17 is outside the ±3% rule as a replacement for 245/40R17: the diameter differs by +4.62%, so the speedometer, odometer and ABS calibration will be off and clearance needs checking.

What's the difference between 245/40R17 and 225/50R17?

225/50R17 is 1.14" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.57". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 62.8 mph.

Will 225/50R17 fit on 245/40R17 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.