175/65R16 vs 165/70R16
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by +0.6 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 175/65R16 | 165/70R16 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 25.0" | 25.1" | +0.6 % |
| Sidewall | 4.48" | 4.55" | +1.5 % |
| Section width | 175 mm | 165 mm | -5.7 % |
| Circumference | 78.4" | 78.8" | +0.6 % |
| Revs per mile | 808 | 804 | -0.6 % |
| Axle height | 12.48" | 12.55" | +1.8 mm |
| Approved rim width | 5–6" | 4.5–6" | 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 175/65R16. Fit 165/70R16 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.2 mph | +0.2 |
| 50 mph | 50.3 mph | +0.3 |
| 70 mph | 70.4 mph | +0.4 |
| 90 mph | 90.5 mph | +0.5 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 10,055 on the road, so it under-counts by 55. At a true 70 mph the first turns 943 times a minute, the second 938.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 175/65R16. 165/70R16 carries 2.