195/45R15 vs 205/45R15
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by +1.6 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 195/45R15 | 205/45R15 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 21.9" | 22.3" | +1.6 % |
| Sidewall | 3.45" | 3.63" | +5.1 % |
| Section width | 195 mm | 205 mm | +5.1 % |
| Circumference | 68.8" | 69.9" | +1.6 % |
| Revs per mile | 921 | 906 | -1.6 % |
| Axle height | 10.95" | 11.13" | +4.5 mm |
| Approved rim width | 5.5–7" | 5.5–7.5" | overlap 5.5–7" |
Both are approved on a rim 5.5" to 7" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 195/45R15. Fit 205/45R15 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.5 mph | +0.5 |
| 50 mph | 50.8 mph | +0.8 |
| 70 mph | 71.1 mph | +1.1 |
| 90 mph | 91.5 mph | +1.5 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 10,162 on the road, so it under-counts by 162. At a true 70 mph the first turns 1074 times a minute, the second 1057.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 195/45R15. 205/45R15 carries 2.