175/65R16 vs 195/55R16
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -2.1 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 175/65R16 | 195/55R16 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 25.0" | 24.4" | -2.1 % |
| Sidewall | 4.48" | 4.22" | -5.7 % |
| Section width | 175 mm | 195 mm | +11.4 % |
| Circumference | 78.4" | 76.8" | -2.1 % |
| Revs per mile | 808 | 825 | +2.1 % |
| Axle height | 12.48" | 12.22" | -6.5 mm |
| Approved rim width | 5–6" | 5.5–7" | overlap 5.5–6" |
Both are approved on a rim 5.5" 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 195/55R16 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.4 mph | -0.6 |
| 50 mph | 49.0 mph | -1.0 |
| 70 mph | 68.6 mph | -1.4 |
| 90 mph | 88.2 mph | -1.8 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,795 on the road, so it over-counts by 205. At a true 70 mph the first turns 943 times a minute, the second 963.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 175/65R16. 195/55R16 carries 19.