175/80R15 vs 165/85R15
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by +0.1 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 175/80R15 | 165/85R15 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 26.0" | 26.0" | +0.1 % |
| Sidewall | 5.51" | 5.52" | +0.2 % |
| Section width | 175 mm | 165 mm | -5.7 % |
| Circumference | 81.8" | 81.8" | +0.1 % |
| Revs per mile | 775 | 774 | -0.1 % |
| Axle height | 13.01" | 13.02" | +0.3 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 175/80R15. Fit 165/85R15 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.0 mph | +0.0 |
| 50 mph | 50.0 mph | +0.0 |
| 70 mph | 70.1 mph | +0.1 |
| 90 mph | 90.1 mph | +0.1 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 10,008 on the road, so it under-counts by 8. At a true 70 mph the first turns 904 times a minute, the second 903.