195/80R18 vs 185/80R18
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -2.1 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 195/80R18 | 185/80R18 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 30.3" | 29.7" | -2.1 % |
| Sidewall | 6.14" | 5.83" | -5.1 % |
| Section width | 195 mm | 185 mm | -5.1 % |
| Circumference | 95.1" | 93.2" | -2.1 % |
| Revs per mile | 666 | 680 | +2.1 % |
| Axle height | 15.14" | 14.83" | -8.0 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 195/80R18. Fit 185/80R18 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.4 mph | -0.6 |
| 50 mph | 49.0 mph | -1.0 |
| 70 mph | 68.5 mph | -1.5 |
| 90 mph | 88.1 mph | -1.9 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,792 on the road, so it over-counts by 208. At a true 70 mph the first turns 777 times a minute, the second 793.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 195/80R18. 185/80R18 carries 2.