155/65R17 vs 135/70R17
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -2.0 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 155/65R17 | 135/70R17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 24.9" | 24.4" | -2.0 % |
| Sidewall | 3.97" | 3.72" | -6.2 % |
| Section width | 155 mm | 135 mm | -12.9 % |
| Circumference | 78.3" | 76.8" | -2.0 % |
| Revs per mile | 809 | 825 | +2.0 % |
| Axle height | 12.47" | 12.22" | -6.3 mm |
| Approved rim width | 4–5.5" | 3.5–5" | overlap 4–5" |
Both are approved on a rim 4" to 5" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 155/65R17. Fit 135/70R17 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.4 mph | -0.6 |
| 50 mph | 49.0 mph | -1.0 |
| 70 mph | 68.6 mph | -1.4 |
| 90 mph | 88.2 mph | -1.8 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,803 on the road, so it over-counts by 197. At a true 70 mph the first turns 944 times a minute, the second 963.