155/65R16 vs 175/55R16
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -1.5 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 155/65R16 | 175/55R16 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 23.9" | 23.6" | -1.5 % |
| Sidewall | 3.97" | 3.79" | -4.5 % |
| Section width | 155 mm | 175 mm | +12.9 % |
| Circumference | 75.2" | 74.1" | -1.5 % |
| Revs per mile | 843 | 855 | +1.5 % |
| Axle height | 11.97" | 11.79" | -4.5 mm |
| Approved rim width | 4–5.5" | 5–6" | overlap 5–5.5" |
Both are approved on a rim 5" 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 155/65R16. Fit 175/55R16 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.6 mph | -0.4 |
| 50 mph | 49.3 mph | -0.7 |
| 70 mph | 69.0 mph | -1.0 |
| 90 mph | 88.7 mph | -1.3 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,852 on the road, so it over-counts by 148. At a true 70 mph the first turns 983 times a minute, the second 998.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 155/65R16. 175/55R16 carries 1.