215/45R18 vs 205/45R18
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -1.4 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 215/45R18 | 205/45R18 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 25.6" | 25.3" | -1.4 % |
| Sidewall | 3.81" | 3.63" | -4.7 % |
| Section width | 215 mm | 205 mm | -4.7 % |
| Circumference | 80.5" | 79.4" | -1.4 % |
| Revs per mile | 787 | 798 | +1.4 % |
| Axle height | 12.81" | 12.63" | -4.5 mm |
| Approved rim width | 6–8" | 5.5–7.5" | overlap 6–7.5" |
Both are approved on a rim 6" to 7.5" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 215/45R18. Fit 205/45R18 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.6 mph | -0.4 |
| 50 mph | 49.3 mph | -0.7 |
| 70 mph | 69.0 mph | -1.0 |
| 90 mph | 88.8 mph | -1.2 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,862 on the road, so it over-counts by 138. At a true 70 mph the first turns 918 times a minute, the second 931.
What drivers reported
215/45R18 carries 5 complaints. Nobody has filed one naming 205/45R18.