215/50R15 vs 225/50R15
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 | 225/50R15 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 23.5" | 23.9" | +1.7 % |
| Sidewall | 4.23" | 4.43" | +4.7 % |
| Section width | 215 mm | 225 mm | +4.7 % |
| Circumference | 73.7" | 75.0" | +1.7 % |
| Revs per mile | 860 | 845 | -1.7 % |
| Axle height | 11.73" | 11.93" | +5.0 mm |
| Approved rim width | 6–8" | 6–8.5" | overlap 6–8" |
Both are approved on a rim 6" to 8" 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 225/50R15 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.5 mph | +0.5 |
| 50 mph | 50.8 mph | +0.8 |
| 70 mph | 71.2 mph | +1.2 |
| 90 mph | 91.5 mph | +1.5 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 10,168 on the road, so it under-counts by 168. At a true 70 mph the first turns 1003 times a minute, the second 986.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 215/50R15. 225/50R15 carries 1.