195/85R17 vs 185/85R17
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 | 195/85R17 | 185/85R17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 30.1" | 29.4" | -2.2 % |
| Sidewall | 6.53" | 6.19" | -5.1 % |
| Section width | 195 mm | 185 mm | -5.1 % |
| Circumference | 94.4" | 92.3" | -2.2 % |
| Revs per mile | 671 | 686 | +2.2 % |
| Axle height | 15.03" | 14.69" | -8.5 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 195/85R17. Fit 185/85R17 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 | 68.4 mph | -1.6 |
| 90 mph | 88.0 mph | -2.0 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,777 on the road, so it over-counts by 223. At a true 70 mph the first turns 783 times a minute, the second 801.