165/70R14 vs 185/60R14
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 | 165/70R14 | 185/60R14 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 23.1" | 22.7" | -1.5 % |
| Sidewall | 4.55" | 4.37" | -3.9 % |
| Section width | 165 mm | 185 mm | +12.1 % |
| Circumference | 72.6" | 71.4" | -1.5 % |
| Revs per mile | 873 | 887 | +1.5 % |
| Axle height | 11.55" | 11.37" | -4.5 mm |
| Approved rim width | 4.5–6" | 5–6.5" | overlap 5–6" |
Both are approved on a rim 5" to 6" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 165/70R14. Fit 185/60R14 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.5 mph | -0.5 |
| 50 mph | 49.2 mph | -0.8 |
| 70 mph | 68.9 mph | -1.1 |
| 90 mph | 88.6 mph | -1.4 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,847 on the road, so it over-counts by 153. At a true 70 mph the first turns 1019 times a minute, the second 1035.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 165/70R14. 185/60R14 carries 10.