CarSpecsHQ

255/45R17 vs 245/50R17

245/50R17 is a safe swap for 255/45R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.34%.

17" rim
255/45R17 26.04" · 245/50R17 26.65" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/45R17245/50R17Difference
Overall diameter26.04"26.65"+0.61" (+2.34%)
Section width255 mm245 mm-10 mm
Sidewall4.52"4.82"+0.31"
Rim17"17"same
Circumference81.8"83.7"+1.9"
Revs per mile775757-18
Ride height——+0.31"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.4+1.4 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.4 mph

With 245/50R17 on a car calibrated for 255/45R17, the speedometer reads 58.6 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.3%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.7 mph
45 mph46.1 mph
60 mph61.4 mph
70 mph71.6 mph
80 mph81.9 mph

Other sizes close to 255/45R17

Questions

Can I replace 255/45R17 with 245/50R17?

245/50R17 is a safe swap for 255/45R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.34%.

What's the difference between 255/45R17 and 245/50R17?

245/50R17 is 0.61" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.31". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.4 mph.

Will 245/50R17 fit on 255/45R17 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.