185/70R17 vs 185/65R17
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -2.7 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 185/70R17 | 185/65R17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 27.2" | 26.5" | -2.7 % |
| Sidewall | 5.10" | 4.73" | -7.1 % |
| Section width | 185 mm | 185 mm | 0.0 % |
| Circumference | 85.4" | 83.2" | -2.7 % |
| Revs per mile | 742 | 762 | +2.7 % |
| Axle height | 13.60" | 13.23" | -9.3 mm |
| Approved rim width | 5–6.5" | 5–6.5" | overlap 5–6.5" |
Both are approved on a rim 5" to 6.5" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 185/70R17. Fit 185/65R17 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.2 mph | -0.8 |
| 50 mph | 48.7 mph | -1.3 |
| 70 mph | 68.1 mph | -1.9 |
| 90 mph | 87.6 mph | -2.4 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,732 on the road, so it over-counts by 268. At a true 70 mph the first turns 865 times a minute, the second 889.