CarSpecsHQ

275/40R17 vs 255/45R17

255/45R17 is a safe swap for 275/40R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.46%.

17" rim
275/40R17 25.66" · 255/45R17 26.04" · drawn to scale

Side by side

275/40R17255/45R17Difference
Overall diameter25.66"26.04"+0.37" (+1.46%)
Section width275 mm255 mm-20 mm
Sidewall4.33"4.52"+0.19"
Rim17"17"same
Circumference80.6"81.8"+1.2"
Revs per mile786775-11
Ride height——+0.19"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.9+0.9 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.9 mph

With 255/45R17 on a car calibrated for 275/40R17, the speedometer reads 59.1 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.5%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.4 mph
45 mph45.7 mph
60 mph60.9 mph
70 mph71.0 mph
80 mph81.2 mph

Other sizes close to 275/40R17

Questions

Can I replace 275/40R17 with 255/45R17?

255/45R17 is a safe swap for 275/40R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.46%.

What's the difference between 275/40R17 and 255/45R17?

255/45R17 is 0.37" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.19". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.9 mph.

Will 255/45R17 fit on 275/40R17 wheels?

Both use a 17" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 255 mm tire and the fender clearance.