225/55R14 vs 215/60R14
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 | 225/55R14 | 215/60R14 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 23.7" | 24.2" | +1.7 % |
| Sidewall | 4.87" | 5.08" | +4.2 % |
| Section width | 225 mm | 215 mm | -4.4 % |
| Circumference | 74.6" | 75.9" | +1.7 % |
| Revs per mile | 849 | 835 | -1.7 % |
| Axle height | 11.87" | 12.08" | +5.3 mm |
| Approved rim width | 6–8.5" | 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 225/55R14. Fit 215/60R14 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.5 mph | +0.5 |
| 50 mph | 50.9 mph | +0.9 |
| 70 mph | 71.2 mph | +1.2 |
| 90 mph | 91.6 mph | +1.6 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 10,174 on the road, so it under-counts by 174. At a true 70 mph the first turns 991 times a minute, the second 974.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 225/55R14. 215/60R14 carries 3.