195/80R15 vs 215/70R15
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 | 195/80R15 | 215/70R15 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 27.3" | 26.9" | -1.6 % |
| Sidewall | 6.14" | 5.93" | -3.5 % |
| Section width | 195 mm | 215 mm | +10.3 % |
| Circumference | 85.7" | 84.4" | -1.6 % |
| Revs per mile | 739 | 751 | +1.6 % |
| Axle height | 13.64" | 13.43" | -5.5 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 195/80R15. Fit 215/70R15 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.5 mph | -0.5 |
| 50 mph | 49.2 mph | -0.8 |
| 70 mph | 68.9 mph | -1.1 |
| 90 mph | 88.6 mph | -1.4 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,841 on the road, so it over-counts by 159. At a true 70 mph the first turns 862 times a minute, the second 876.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 195/80R15. 215/70R15 carries 129.