215/55R18 vs 225/50R18
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 | 215/55R18 | 225/50R18 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 27.3" | 26.9" | -1.7 % |
| Sidewall | 4.66" | 4.43" | -4.9 % |
| Section width | 215 mm | 225 mm | +4.7 % |
| Circumference | 85.8" | 84.4" | -1.7 % |
| Revs per mile | 738 | 751 | +1.7 % |
| Axle height | 13.66" | 13.43" | -5.8 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 215/55R18. Fit 225/50R18 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 9,834 on the road, so it over-counts by 166. At a true 70 mph the first turns 862 times a minute, the second 876.