CarSpecsHQ

245/50R17 vs 235/55R17

235/55R17 is a safe swap for 245/50R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.99%.

17" rim
245/50R17 26.65" · 235/55R17 27.18" · drawn to scale

Side by side

245/50R17235/55R17Difference
Overall diameter26.65"27.18"+0.53" (+1.99%)
Section width245 mm235 mm-10 mm
Sidewall4.82"5.09"+0.27"
Rim17"17"same
Circumference83.7"85.4"+1.7"
Revs per mile757742-15
Ride height——+0.27"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.2+1.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.2 mph

With 235/55R17 on a car calibrated for 245/50R17, the speedometer reads 58.8 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.0%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.6 mph
45 mph45.9 mph
60 mph61.2 mph
70 mph71.4 mph
80 mph81.6 mph

Other sizes close to 245/50R17

Questions

Can I replace 245/50R17 with 235/55R17?

235/55R17 is a safe swap for 245/50R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.99%.

What's the difference between 245/50R17 and 235/55R17?

235/55R17 is 0.53" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.27". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.2 mph.

Will 235/55R17 fit on 245/50R17 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.