195/55R17 vs 185/55R17
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -1.7 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 195/55R17 | 185/55R17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 25.4" | 25.0" | -1.7 % |
| Sidewall | 4.22" | 4.01" | -5.1 % |
| Section width | 195 mm | 185 mm | -5.1 % |
| Circumference | 79.9" | 78.6" | -1.7 % |
| Revs per mile | 793 | 806 | +1.7 % |
| Axle height | 12.72" | 12.51" | -5.5 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 195/55R17. Fit 185/55R17 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.5 mph | -0.5 |
| 50 mph | 49.1 mph | -0.9 |
| 70 mph | 68.8 mph | -1.2 |
| 90 mph | 88.5 mph | -1.5 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,830 on the road, so it over-counts by 170. At a true 70 mph the first turns 925 times a minute, the second 941.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 195/55R17. 185/55R17 carries 3.