235/40R16 vs 215/40R16
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -2.7 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 235/40R16 | 215/40R16 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 23.4" | 22.8" | -2.7 % |
| Sidewall | 3.70" | 3.39" | -8.5 % |
| Section width | 235 mm | 215 mm | -8.5 % |
| Circumference | 73.5" | 71.5" | -2.7 % |
| Revs per mile | 862 | 886 | +2.7 % |
| Axle height | 11.70" | 11.39" | -8.0 mm |
| Approved rim width | 6.5–8.5" | 6–8" | overlap 6.5–8" |
Both are approved on a rim 6.5" to 8" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 235/40R16. Fit 215/40R16 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.2 mph | -0.8 |
| 50 mph | 48.7 mph | -1.3 |
| 70 mph | 68.1 mph | -1.9 |
| 90 mph | 87.6 mph | -2.4 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,731 on the road, so it over-counts by 269. At a true 70 mph the first turns 1005 times a minute, the second 1033.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 235/40R16. 215/40R16 carries 1.