195/85R15 vs 215/75R15
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -1.3 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 195/85R15 | 215/75R15 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 28.1" | 27.7" | -1.3 % |
| Sidewall | 6.53" | 6.35" | -2.7 % |
| Section width | 195 mm | 215 mm | +10.3 % |
| Circumference | 88.1" | 87.0" | -1.3 % |
| Revs per mile | 719 | 728 | +1.3 % |
| Axle height | 14.03" | 13.85" | -4.5 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 195/85R15. Fit 215/75R15 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.6 mph | -0.4 |
| 50 mph | 49.4 mph | -0.6 |
| 70 mph | 69.1 mph | -0.9 |
| 90 mph | 88.9 mph | -1.1 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,874 on the road, so it over-counts by 126. At a true 70 mph the first turns 839 times a minute, the second 850.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 195/85R15. 215/75R15 carries 41.