215 55r17 vs 225 55r17 Tire Size
Looking to buy a new set of tires for your car? You may wonder if the switch to a 215 55r17 or 225 55r17 tire size is right for you. Both sizes have pros and cons, so it can be tough to decide which is best. In this blog post, we will compare the two sizes and help you decide which one is right for you!
215/55r17 vs 225/55r17 Table
This comparison table will help you understand the differences between the two sizes at a glance.
225/55r17 | 215/55r17 |
Overall Diameter 26.74 inches | Overall Diameter 26.31 inches |
Width 8.86 inches | Width 8.46 inches |
Sidewall Height 4.87 inches | Sidewall Height 4.66 inches |
Radial Tire (A Radial-Ply Tire) | Radial Tire (A Radial-Ply Tire) |
Rim Size 17 inches | Rim Size 17 inches |
Circumference 84.02 inches | Circumference 82.66 inches |
Revs Per Mile 754 | Revs Per Mile 766 |
Overall Diameter
The first thing to note is the overall diameter. The 225 55r17 has a diameter of 26.74 inches, while the 215 55r17 has a diameter of 26.31 inches. This means that the 225 55r17 is slightly larger overall. The difference in overall diameter is around 0.43 inches or about 1.6%.
This can be important for a few reasons. First, a larger overall diameter means that the tires will be able to grip the road better. This can provide better handling, especially in wet or icy conditions. Additionally, the larger size can also provide a smoother ride since there will be more contact with the road.
Section Width
The section width is the second number in the tire size and is measured in millimeters. The section width of the 225 55r17 is 225mm, while the section width of the 215 55r17 is 215mm. This means that the 225 55r17 is wider than the 215 55r17 by about 0.39 inches or around 4.7%.
Circumference
Another important difference to note is the circumference. The circumference of the 225 55r17 is 84.02 inches, while the circumference of the 215 55r17 is 82.66inches. This means that the 225 55r17 has a circumference of about 1.36 inches or around 1.6% larger.
First, a larger circumference means that the car will cover more ground in one revolution of the tires. This can be important for highway driving, where you want to cover as much ground as possible. Additionally, a larger circumference can also mean that the car will have better acceleration since it takes less time to cover the same distance.
Revolutions Per Mile
The final difference to note is the revolutions per mile. The 225 55r17 has revolutions per mile of 754, while the 215 55r17 has revolutions per mile of 766. This means the 215 55r17 will make about 12 more revolutions in one mile than the 225 55r17.
This difference may not seem like much, but it can add up over time. If you do a lot of highway driving, the 225 55r17 may be the better choice since you will have to replace your tires less often.
Sidewall Height
The sidewall height is the last number in the tire size and is measured in millimeters. The sidewall height of the 225 55r17 is 123.75 mm, while the sidewall height of the 215 55r17 is 118.25 mm. This means that the 225 55r17 has a taller sidewall than the 215 55r17 by about 5.5 mm or around 4.7%.
First, a taller sidewall can provide a smoother ride since it will act as a cushion between the road and the car. Additionally, a taller sidewall can also provide better handling since it will give the tires a larger contact patch with the road.
Wheel Size
The final difference to consider is the wheel size. The 225 55r17 requires a 17-inch wheel, while the 215 55r17 also can be used with a 17-inch wheel. This means that both can be used with the same sized wheels.
Construction Type
The final difference to consider is the construction type. The 225 55r17 is a radial tire, while the 215 55r17 can be either a radial or a bias ply tire. This means that the 225 55r17 is the better choice if you are looking for a radial tire.
Our Observation
The main difference between 215 55r17 and 225 55r17 tire size is in the overall diameter, section width, and circumference. The 225 55r17 is slightly larger overall with a wider section width and larger circumference. Additionally, the 225 55r17 is a radial tire, while the 215 55r17 can be either a radial or bias ply tire.
If you are looking for the best tire size for your car, the 225 55r17 is the better choice. However, if you are looking for a cheaper tire or one that can be used with a bias ply tire, the 215 55r17 may be a better choice. Ultimately, the best tire size for you.
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