215/85R17 vs 225/85R17
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by +2.1 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 215/85R17 | 225/85R17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 31.4" | 32.1" | +2.1 % |
| Sidewall | 7.19" | 7.53" | +4.7 % |
| Section width | 215 mm | 225 mm | +4.7 % |
| Circumference | 98.6" | 100.7" | +2.1 % |
| Revs per mile | 643 | 629 | -2.1 % |
| Axle height | 15.69" | 16.03" | +8.5 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 215/85R17. Fit 225/85R17 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.6 mph | +0.6 |
| 50 mph | 51.1 mph | +1.1 |
| 70 mph | 71.5 mph | +1.5 |
| 90 mph | 91.9 mph | +1.9 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 10,213 on the road, so it under-counts by 213. At a true 70 mph the first turns 750 times a minute, the second 734.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 215/85R17. 225/85R17 carries 1.