CarSpecsHQ

255/40R17 vs 235/45R17

235/45R17 is a safe swap for 255/40R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.18%.

17" rim
255/40R17 25.03" · 235/45R17 25.33" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/40R17235/45R17Difference
Overall diameter25.03"25.33"+0.30" (+1.18%)
Section width255 mm235 mm-20 mm
Sidewall4.02"4.16"+0.15"
Rim17"17"same
Circumference78.6"79.6"+0.9"
Revs per mile806796-9
Ride height——+0.15"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.7+0.7 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.7 mph

With 235/45R17 on a car calibrated for 255/40R17, the speedometer reads 59.3 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.2%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.4 mph
45 mph45.5 mph
60 mph60.7 mph
70 mph70.8 mph
80 mph80.9 mph

Other sizes close to 255/40R17

Questions

Can I replace 255/40R17 with 235/45R17?

235/45R17 is a safe swap for 255/40R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.18%.

What's the difference between 255/40R17 and 235/45R17?

235/45R17 is 0.30" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.15". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.7 mph.

Will 235/45R17 fit on 255/40R17 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.