CarSpecsHQ

315/35R17 vs 255/45R17

255/45R17 is a safe swap for 315/35R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.38%.

17" rim
315/35R17 25.68" · 255/45R17 26.04" · drawn to scale

Side by side

315/35R17255/45R17Difference
Overall diameter25.68"26.04"+0.35" (+1.38%)
Section width315 mm255 mm-60 mm
Sidewall4.34"4.52"+0.18"
Rim17"17"same
Circumference80.7"81.8"+1.1"
Revs per mile785775-11
Ride height——+0.18"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.8+0.8 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.8 mph

With 255/45R17 on a car calibrated for 315/35R17, the speedometer reads 59.2 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.4%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.4 mph
45 mph45.6 mph
60 mph60.8 mph
70 mph71.0 mph
80 mph81.1 mph

Other sizes close to 315/35R17

Questions

Can I replace 315/35R17 with 255/45R17?

255/45R17 is a safe swap for 315/35R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.38%.

What's the difference between 315/35R17 and 255/45R17?

255/45R17 is 0.35" taller and 60 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.18". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.8 mph.

Will 255/45R17 fit on 315/35R17 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.