155/85R15 vs 165/80R15
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by +0.1 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 155/85R15 | 165/80R15 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 25.4" | 25.4" | +0.1 % |
| Sidewall | 5.19" | 5.20" | +0.2 % |
| Section width | 155 mm | 165 mm | +6.5 % |
| Circumference | 79.7" | 79.8" | +0.1 % |
| Revs per mile | 795 | 794 | -0.1 % |
| Axle height | 12.69" | 12.70" | +0.3 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 155/85R15. Fit 165/80R15 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.0 mph | +0.0 |
| 50 mph | 50.0 mph | +0.0 |
| 70 mph | 70.1 mph | +0.1 |
| 90 mph | 90.1 mph | +0.1 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 10,008 on the road, so it under-counts by 8. At a true 70 mph the first turns 927 times a minute, the second 927.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 155/85R15. 165/80R15 carries 4.