CarSpecsHQ

245/45R16 vs 215/55R16

215/55R16 is a safe swap for 245/45R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.55%.

16" rim
245/45R16 24.68" · 215/55R16 25.31" · drawn to scale

Side by side

245/45R16215/55R16Difference
Overall diameter24.68"25.31"+0.63" (+2.55%)
Section width245 mm215 mm-30 mm
Sidewall4.34"4.66"+0.31"
Rim16"16"same
Circumference77.5"79.5"+2.0"
Revs per mile817797-20
Ride height——+0.31"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.5+1.5 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.5 mph

With 215/55R16 on a car calibrated for 245/45R16, the speedometer reads 58.5 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.6%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.8 mph
45 mph46.1 mph
60 mph61.5 mph
70 mph71.8 mph
80 mph82.0 mph

Other sizes close to 245/45R16

Questions

Can I replace 245/45R16 with 215/55R16?

215/55R16 is a safe swap for 245/45R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.55%.

What's the difference between 245/45R16 and 215/55R16?

215/55R16 is 0.63" taller and 30 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.31". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.5 mph.

Will 215/55R16 fit on 245/45R16 wheels?

Both use a 16" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 215 mm tire and the fender clearance.