CarSpecsHQ

245/40R17 vs 235/45R17

235/45R17 is a safe swap for 245/40R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.47%.

17" rim
245/40R17 24.72" · 235/45R17 25.33" · drawn to scale

Side by side

245/40R17235/45R17Difference
Overall diameter24.72"25.33"+0.61" (+2.47%)
Section width245 mm235 mm-10 mm
Sidewall3.86"4.16"+0.31"
Rim17"17"same
Circumference77.6"79.6"+1.9"
Revs per mile816796-20
Ride height——+0.31"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.5+1.5 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.5 mph

With 235/45R17 on a car calibrated for 245/40R17, the speedometer reads 58.6 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.5%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.7 mph
45 mph46.1 mph
60 mph61.5 mph
70 mph71.7 mph
80 mph82.0 mph

Other sizes close to 245/40R17

Questions

Can I replace 245/40R17 with 235/45R17?

235/45R17 is a safe swap for 245/40R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.47%.

What's the difference between 245/40R17 and 235/45R17?

235/45R17 is 0.61" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.31". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.5 mph.

Will 235/45R17 fit on 245/40R17 wheels?

Both use a 17" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 235 mm tire and the fender clearance.