215/70R17.5 vs 205/70R17.5
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -1.9 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 215/70R17.5 | 205/70R17.5 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 29.4" | 28.8" | -1.9 % |
| Sidewall | 5.93" | 5.65" | -4.7 % |
| Section width | 215 mm | 205 mm | -4.7 % |
| Circumference | 92.2" | 90.5" | -1.9 % |
| Revs per mile | 687 | 700 | +1.9 % |
| Axle height | 14.68" | 14.40" | -7.0 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 215/70R17.5. Fit 205/70R17.5 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.4 mph | -0.6 |
| 50 mph | 49.1 mph | -0.9 |
| 70 mph | 68.7 mph | -1.3 |
| 90 mph | 88.3 mph | -1.7 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,812 on the road, so it over-counts by 188. At a true 70 mph the first turns 802 times a minute, the second 817.