155/85R14 vs 175/80R14
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by +2.7 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 155/85R14 | 175/80R14 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 24.4" | 25.0" | +2.7 % |
| Sidewall | 5.19" | 5.51" | +6.3 % |
| Section width | 155 mm | 175 mm | +12.9 % |
| Circumference | 76.6" | 78.6" | +2.7 % |
| Revs per mile | 827 | 806 | -2.7 % |
| Axle height | 12.19" | 12.51" | +8.3 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 155/85R14. Fit 175/80R14 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.8 mph | +0.8 |
| 50 mph | 51.3 mph | +1.3 |
| 70 mph | 71.9 mph | +1.9 |
| 90 mph | 92.4 mph | +2.4 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 10,267 on the road, so it under-counts by 267. At a true 70 mph the first turns 965 times a minute, the second 940.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 155/85R14. 175/80R14 carries 2.