175/55R17 vs 175/60R17
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by +2.8 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 175/55R17 | 175/60R17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 24.6" | 25.3" | +2.8 % |
| Sidewall | 3.79" | 4.13" | +9.1 % |
| Section width | 175 mm | 175 mm | 0.0 % |
| Circumference | 77.2" | 79.4" | +2.8 % |
| Revs per mile | 821 | 798 | -2.8 % |
| Axle height | 12.29" | 12.63" | +8.8 mm |
| Approved rim width | 5–6" | 5–6" | overlap 5–6" |
Both are approved on a rim 5" to 6" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 175/55R17. Fit 175/60R17 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.8 mph | +0.8 |
| 50 mph | 51.4 mph | +1.4 |
| 70 mph | 72.0 mph | +2.0 |
| 90 mph | 92.5 mph | +2.5 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 10,280 on the road, so it under-counts by 280. At a true 70 mph the first turns 957 times a minute, the second 931.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 175/55R17. 175/60R17 carries 2.