215/50R15 vs 205/50R15
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -1.7 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 215/50R15 | 205/50R15 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 23.5" | 23.1" | -1.7 % |
| Sidewall | 4.23" | 4.04" | -4.7 % |
| Section width | 215 mm | 205 mm | -4.7 % |
| Circumference | 73.7" | 72.5" | -1.7 % |
| Revs per mile | 860 | 874 | +1.7 % |
| Axle height | 11.73" | 11.54" | -5.0 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 215/50R15. Fit 205/50R15 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.5 mph | -0.5 |
| 50 mph | 49.2 mph | -0.8 |
| 70 mph | 68.8 mph | -1.2 |
| 90 mph | 88.5 mph | -1.5 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,832 on the road, so it over-counts by 168. At a true 70 mph the first turns 1003 times a minute, the second 1020.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 215/50R15. 205/50R15 carries 4.