215 55r17 vs 215 50r17 Tire Size
Different vehicles require different tire sizes. And even within the exact vehicle, there can be different requirements depending on the driving conditions. We will compare 215 55r17 and 215 50r17 tire sizes to help you decide which is suitable for your vehicle.
215/55r17 vs 215/50r17 Table
This table chart will help you compare the two tire sizes at a glance.
215/55r17 | 215/50r17 |
Overall Diameter 26.31 inches | Overall Diameter 25.46 inches |
Width 8.46 inches | Width 8.46 inches |
Sidewall Height 4.66 inches | Sidewall Height 4.23 inches |
Radial Tire (A Radial-Ply Tire) | Radial Tire (A Radial-Ply Tire) |
Rim Size 17 inches | Rim Size 17 inches |
Circumference 82.66 inches | Circumference 80 inches |
Revs Per Mile 766 | Revs Per Mile 792 |
Overall Diameter
Tire diameter is important because it affects the circumference of the tire and, in turn, the vehicle’s rolling resistance and fuel economy. A larger diameter tire will have a larger circumference, which means it will roll further with each revolution.
This can improve fuel economy because the engine does not have to work as hard to move the vehicle. On the other hand, a smaller diameter tire will have a smaller circumference, which means it will roll less distance with each revolution.
This can lead to reduced fuel economy because the engine has to work harder to move the vehicle. In short, the overall diameter of the 215 55r17 tire size is 26.31 inches, and 25.46 is the overall diameter of the 215 50r17 tire size.
Section Width
Another important metric to consider is the section width of the tire. This is the tire’s width from sidewall to sidewall, and it affects the tire’s contact patch. In this comparison, Both tire size has the same section width of 215 millimeters.
Circumference
The circumference of a tire is the distance around the outside of the tire. This is important because it affects the gear ratio of the vehicle and in turn, the fuel economy and acceleration. A larger circumference tire will have a higher gear ratio, which means the engine will not have to work as hard to move the vehicle.
The circumference of the 215 55r17 tire size is 82.66 inches, and the 215 50r17 tire size is 80 inches. As you can see, the difference in circumference is not very large. However, it can still affect the vehicle’s gear ratio and fuel economy.
Revolutions Per Mile
The number of revolutions per mile (RPM) is a measure of how far the tire will travel in one mile. This is important because it affects the fuel economy of the vehicle.
A tire with a higher RPM will travel further in one mile, which means the engine will not have to work as hard to move the vehicle. The RPM of the 215 55r17 tire size is 766, and the 215 50r17 tire size is 792. The difference between those two tire sizes is 25.48 RPM or 3.3%.
Sidewall Height
The sidewall height of a tire is the distance from the tread’s edge to the wheel’s rim. This is important because it affects the vehicle’s height and, in turn, the aerodynamics and fuel economy.
The sidewall height of the 215 55r17 tire size is 4.66 inches, and the 215 50r17 tire size is 4.23 inches. The difference in sidewall height is not very large. However, it can still have an effect on the aerodynamics and fuel economy of the vehicle.
Wheel Size
The wheel size is the diameter of the wheel that the tire is mounted on. This is important because it affects the contact patch of the tire and the overall diameter of the tire. The wheel size of the 215 55r17 tire size is 17 inches, and the 215 50r17 tire size is also 17 inches.
Construction Type
The construction type of a tire is the way the layers of the tire are put together. This is important because it affects the tire’s durability and rides quality. The 215 55r17 tire size is a radial tire, and the 215 50r17 tire size is also a radial tire.
Our Observation
After discussing all the technical aspects, we think that the 215 50r17 tire size is a better option because it has a slightly smaller diameter, which can lead to improved fuel economy. It also has a higher RPM, which means the engine will not have to work as hard to move the vehicle.
However, the sidewall height is slightly smaller, which could affect the aerodynamics and fuel economy of the vehicle. Overall, we think the 215 50r17 tire size is the better option.
Conclusion
The main difference between the 215 55r17 and the 215 50r17 tire size is the tire’s sidewall height. The 215 55r17 tire size is 0.42 inches or 9.1% taller sidewall than the 215 50r17 tire size. The 215 55r17 tire size is a better option for those who are looking for improved fuel economy. The 215 50r17 tire size is a better option for those looking for a slightly smoother ride. Thank you for reading!
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