155/70R16 vs 165/65R16
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -0.4 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 155/70R16 | 165/65R16 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 24.5" | 24.4" | -0.4 % |
| Sidewall | 4.27" | 4.22" | -1.2 % |
| Section width | 155 mm | 165 mm | +6.5 % |
| Circumference | 77.1" | 76.8" | -0.4 % |
| Revs per mile | 822 | 825 | +0.4 % |
| Axle height | 12.27" | 12.22" | -1.3 mm |
| Approved rim width | 4–5.5" | 4.5–6" | overlap 4.5–5.5" |
Both are approved on a rim 4.5" 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 155/70R16. Fit 165/65R16 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.9 mph | -0.1 |
| 50 mph | 49.8 mph | -0.2 |
| 70 mph | 69.7 mph | -0.3 |
| 90 mph | 89.6 mph | -0.4 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,960 on the road, so it over-counts by 40. At a true 70 mph the first turns 959 times a minute, the second 963.