215/60R19 vs 215/55R19
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -2.9 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 215/60R19 | 215/55R19 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 29.2" | 28.3" | -2.9 % |
| Sidewall | 5.08" | 4.66" | -8.3 % |
| Section width | 215 mm | 215 mm | 0.0 % |
| Circumference | 91.6" | 88.9" | -2.9 % |
| Revs per mile | 692 | 712 | +2.9 % |
| Axle height | 14.58" | 14.16" | -10.8 mm |
| Approved rim width | 6–8" | 6–8" | 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 215/60R19. Fit 215/55R19 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.1 mph | -0.9 |
| 50 mph | 48.5 mph | -1.5 |
| 70 mph | 68.0 mph | -2.0 |
| 90 mph | 87.4 mph | -2.6 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,710 on the road, so it over-counts by 290. At a true 70 mph the first turns 807 times a minute, the second 831.