225/85R20 vs 215/85R20
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 | 225/85R20 | 215/85R20 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 35.1" | 34.4" | -1.9 % |
| Sidewall | 7.53" | 7.19" | -4.4 % |
| Section width | 225 mm | 215 mm | -4.4 % |
| Circumference | 110.1" | 108.0" | -1.9 % |
| Revs per mile | 575 | 586 | +1.9 % |
| Axle height | 17.53" | 17.19" | -8.5 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 225/85R20. Fit 215/85R20 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 9,809 on the road, so it over-counts by 191. At a true 70 mph the first turns 671 times a minute, the second 684.