225/60R14 vs 215/60R14
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 | 225/60R14 | 215/60R14 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 24.6" | 24.2" | -1.9 % |
| Sidewall | 5.31" | 5.08" | -4.4 % |
| Section width | 225 mm | 215 mm | -4.4 % |
| Circumference | 77.4" | 75.9" | -1.9 % |
| Revs per mile | 819 | 835 | +1.9 % |
| Axle height | 12.31" | 12.08" | -6.0 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 225/60R14. Fit 215/60R14 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.4 mph | -0.6 |
| 50 mph | 49.0 mph | -1.0 |
| 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 9,808 on the road, so it over-counts by 192. At a true 70 mph the first turns 955 times a minute, the second 974.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 225/60R14. 215/60R14 carries 3.