145/80R17 vs 155/70R17
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -2.3 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 145/80R17 | 155/70R17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 26.1" | 25.5" | -2.3 % |
| Sidewall | 4.57" | 4.27" | -6.5 % |
| Section width | 145 mm | 155 mm | +6.9 % |
| Circumference | 82.1" | 80.2" | -2.3 % |
| Revs per mile | 772 | 790 | +2.3 % |
| Axle height | 13.07" | 12.77" | -7.5 mm |
| Approved rim width | 4–5.5" | 4–5.5" | overlap 4–5.5" |
Both are approved on a rim 4" to 5.5" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 145/80R17. Fit 155/70R17 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.3 mph | -0.7 |
| 50 mph | 48.9 mph | -1.1 |
| 70 mph | 68.4 mph | -1.6 |
| 90 mph | 88.0 mph | -2.0 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,774 on the road, so it over-counts by 226. At a true 70 mph the first turns 900 times a minute, the second 921.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 145/80R17. 155/70R17 carries 2.