195/80R18 vs 215/70R18
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -1.4 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 195/80R18 | 215/70R18 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 30.3" | 29.9" | -1.4 % |
| Sidewall | 6.14" | 5.93" | -3.5 % |
| Section width | 195 mm | 215 mm | +10.3 % |
| Circumference | 95.1" | 93.8" | -1.4 % |
| Revs per mile | 666 | 676 | +1.4 % |
| Axle height | 15.14" | 14.93" | -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 195/80R18. Fit 215/70R18 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.6 mph | -0.4 |
| 50 mph | 49.3 mph | -0.7 |
| 70 mph | 69.0 mph | -1.0 |
| 90 mph | 88.7 mph | -1.3 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,857 on the road, so it over-counts by 143. At a true 70 mph the first turns 777 times a minute, the second 788.