225/75R21 vs 215/75R21
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 | 225/75R21 | 215/75R21 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 34.3" | 33.7" | -1.7 % |
| Sidewall | 6.64" | 6.35" | -4.4 % |
| Section width | 225 mm | 215 mm | -4.4 % |
| Circumference | 107.7" | 105.9" | -1.7 % |
| Revs per mile | 588 | 599 | +1.7 % |
| Axle height | 17.14" | 16.85" | -7.5 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 225/75R21. Fit 215/75R21 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.5 mph | -0.5 |
| 50 mph | 49.1 mph | -0.9 |
| 70 mph | 68.8 mph | -1.2 |
| 90 mph | 88.4 mph | -1.6 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,828 on the road, so it over-counts by 172. At a true 70 mph the first turns 686 times a minute, the second 698.