185/55R14 vs 165/65R14
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by +2.0 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 185/55R14 | 165/65R14 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 22.0" | 22.4" | +2.0 % |
| Sidewall | 4.01" | 4.22" | +5.4 % |
| Section width | 185 mm | 165 mm | -10.8 % |
| Circumference | 69.2" | 70.5" | +2.0 % |
| Revs per mile | 916 | 899 | -2.0 % |
| Axle height | 11.01" | 11.22" | +5.5 mm |
| Approved rim width | 5–6.5" | 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 185/55R14. Fit 165/65R14 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 | 91.8 mph | +1.8 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 10,197 on the road, so it under-counts by 197. At a true 70 mph the first turns 1069 times a minute, the second 1048.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 185/55R14. 165/65R14 carries 1.