185/80R16 vs 205/70R16
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -1.3 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 185/80R16 | 205/70R16 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 27.7" | 27.3" | -1.3 % |
| Sidewall | 5.83" | 5.65" | -3.0 % |
| Section width | 185 mm | 205 mm | +10.8 % |
| Circumference | 86.9" | 85.8" | -1.3 % |
| Revs per mile | 729 | 739 | +1.3 % |
| Axle height | 13.83" | 13.65" | -4.5 mm |
| Approved rim width | 5–6.5" | 5.5–7.5" | overlap 5.5–6.5" |
Both are approved on a rim 5.5" 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 185/80R16. Fit 205/70R16 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.6 mph | -0.4 |
| 50 mph | 49.4 mph | -0.6 |
| 70 mph | 69.1 mph | -0.9 |
| 90 mph | 88.8 mph | -1.2 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,872 on the road, so it over-counts by 128. At a true 70 mph the first turns 851 times a minute, the second 862.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 185/80R16. 205/70R16 carries 8.