195/70R16 vs 215/60R16
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -2.2 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 195/70R16 | 215/60R16 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 26.7" | 26.2" | -2.2 % |
| Sidewall | 5.37" | 5.08" | -5.5 % |
| Section width | 195 mm | 215 mm | +10.3 % |
| Circumference | 84.0" | 82.2" | -2.2 % |
| Revs per mile | 754 | 771 | +2.2 % |
| Axle height | 13.37" | 13.08" | -7.5 mm |
| Approved rim width | 5.5–7" | 6–8" | overlap 6–7" |
Both are approved on a rim 6" to 7" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 195/70R16. Fit 215/60R16 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.3 mph | -0.7 |
| 50 mph | 48.9 mph | -1.1 |
| 70 mph | 68.5 mph | -1.5 |
| 90 mph | 88.0 mph | -2.0 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,779 on the road, so it over-counts by 221. At a true 70 mph the first turns 880 times a minute, the second 900.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 195/70R16. 215/60R16 carries 284.