215/55R20 vs 225/55R20
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by +1.5 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 215/55R20 | 225/55R20 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 29.3" | 29.7" | +1.5 % |
| Sidewall | 4.66" | 4.87" | +4.7 % |
| Section width | 215 mm | 225 mm | +4.7 % |
| Circumference | 92.1" | 93.4" | +1.5 % |
| Revs per mile | 688 | 678 | -1.5 % |
| Axle height | 14.66" | 14.87" | +5.5 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 215/55R20. Fit 225/55R20 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.4 mph | +0.4 |
| 50 mph | 50.7 mph | +0.7 |
| 70 mph | 71.0 mph | +1.0 |
| 90 mph | 91.3 mph | +1.3 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 10,148 on the road, so it under-counts by 148. At a true 70 mph the first turns 803 times a minute, the second 791.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 215/55R20. 225/55R20 carries 2.