195/50R18 vs 185/55R18
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 | 195/50R18 | 185/55R18 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 25.7" | 26.0" | +1.3 % |
| Sidewall | 3.84" | 4.01" | +4.4 % |
| Section width | 195 mm | 185 mm | -5.1 % |
| Circumference | 80.7" | 81.7" | +1.3 % |
| Revs per mile | 785 | 775 | -1.3 % |
| Axle height | 12.84" | 13.01" | +4.3 mm |
| Approved rim width | 5.5–7" | 5–6.5" | 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 195/50R18. Fit 185/55R18 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.4 mph | +0.4 |
| 50 mph | 50.7 mph | +0.7 |
| 70 mph | 70.9 mph | +0.9 |
| 90 mph | 91.2 mph | +1.2 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 10,130 on the road, so it under-counts by 130. At a true 70 mph the first turns 916 times a minute, the second 905.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 195/50R18. 185/55R18 carries 1.