175/70R17 vs 185/70R17
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 | 175/70R17 | 185/70R17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 26.6" | 27.2" | +2.1 % |
| Sidewall | 4.82" | 5.10" | +5.7 % |
| Section width | 175 mm | 185 mm | +5.7 % |
| Circumference | 83.7" | 85.4" | +2.1 % |
| Revs per mile | 757 | 742 | -2.1 % |
| Axle height | 13.32" | 13.60" | +7.0 mm |
| Approved rim width | 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 175/70R17. Fit 185/70R17 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.6 mph | +0.6 |
| 50 mph | 51.0 mph | +1.0 |
| 70 mph | 71.4 mph | +1.4 |
| 90 mph | 91.9 mph | +1.9 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 10,207 on the road, so it under-counts by 207. At a true 70 mph the first turns 883 times a minute, the second 865.