2003 Lincoln LS Tire Question

I have a 2003 Lincoln LS V8. The stock tire size for this car is 235/50/R17. Would I be able to put 215/55/R17s on this car? The tire calculator at http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html says that there is a 0.2% difference between them so I know they aren't much taller they would just be much narrower.

What I am wondering is would there be a risk of the tire coming off of the rim? Or any adverse differences in handling. I want to put Winterforce snow tires on the car but the don't make them in the stock size and this is the closest I have found. I have also heard that narrower tires are better in the snow.

Thanks in advance.

That would be going down in load carrying capacity, which increases the risk of a load related tire failure, which sometimes has tragic results.

The difference between the stock tire load capacity doesn't seem too large. Stock is 1521 lbs. while the smaller tires is 1477 lbs. a difference of 44 lbs. Curb weight seems to be 3755 lbs. which would be 938.75 lbs. per tire divided evenly. Would that make a difference at all?

I would say all the differences would be negligible. the 235s are 26.25" tall whereas the 215s are 26.3" tall. As far as load goes, just keep an eye on it. It sounds like you shouldn't have any problem with the 215s though.