215/50R19 vs 205/50R19
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 | 215/50R19 | 205/50R19 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 27.5" | 27.1" | -1.4 % |
| Sidewall | 4.23" | 4.04" | -4.7 % |
| Section width | 215 mm | 205 mm | -4.7 % |
| Circumference | 86.3" | 85.0" | -1.4 % |
| Revs per mile | 734 | 745 | +1.4 % |
| Axle height | 13.73" | 13.54" | -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 215/50R19. Fit 205/50R19 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 | 88.7 mph | -1.3 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,857 on the road, so it over-counts by 143. At a true 70 mph the first turns 857 times a minute, the second 869.