CarSpecsHQ

255/40R17 vs 245/45R17

245/45R17 is a safe swap for 255/40R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.60%.

17" rim
255/40R17 25.03" · 245/45R17 25.68" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/40R17245/45R17Difference
Overall diameter25.03"25.68"+0.65" (+2.60%)
Section width255 mm245 mm-10 mm
Sidewall4.02"4.34"+0.32"
Rim17"17"same
Circumference78.6"80.7"+2.0"
Revs per mile806785-20
Ride height——+0.32"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.6+1.6 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.6 mph

With 245/45R17 on a car calibrated for 255/40R17, 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 mph46.2 mph
60 mph61.6 mph
70 mph71.8 mph
80 mph82.1 mph

Other sizes close to 255/40R17

Questions

Can I replace 255/40R17 with 245/45R17?

245/45R17 is a safe swap for 255/40R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.60%.

What's the difference between 255/40R17 and 245/45R17?

245/45R17 is 0.65" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.32". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.6 mph.

Will 245/45R17 fit on 255/40R17 wheels?

Both use a 17" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 245 mm tire and the fender clearance.