165/80R14 vs 185/70R14
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -0.8 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 165/80R14 | 185/70R14 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 24.4" | 24.2" | -0.8 % |
| Sidewall | 5.20" | 5.10" | -1.9 % |
| Section width | 165 mm | 185 mm | +12.1 % |
| Circumference | 76.6" | 76.0" | -0.8 % |
| Revs per mile | 827 | 834 | +0.8 % |
| Axle height | 12.20" | 12.10" | -2.5 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 165/80R14. Fit 185/70R14 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.8 mph | -0.2 |
| 50 mph | 49.6 mph | -0.4 |
| 70 mph | 69.4 mph | -0.6 |
| 90 mph | 89.3 mph | -0.7 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,919 on the road, so it over-counts by 81. At a true 70 mph the first turns 965 times a minute, the second 972.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 165/80R14. 185/70R14 carries 37.