205/75R16 vs 215/70R16
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -0.9 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 205/75R16 | 215/70R16 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 28.1" | 27.9" | -0.9 % |
| Sidewall | 6.05" | 5.93" | -2.1 % |
| Section width | 205 mm | 215 mm | +4.9 % |
| Circumference | 88.3" | 87.5" | -0.9 % |
| Revs per mile | 718 | 724 | +0.9 % |
| Axle height | 14.05" | 13.93" | -3.3 mm |
| Approved rim width | 5.5–7.5" | 6–8" | overlap 6–7.5" |
Both are approved on a rim 6" to 7.5" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 205/75R16. Fit 215/70R16 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.7 mph | -0.3 |
| 50 mph | 49.5 mph | -0.5 |
| 70 mph | 69.4 mph | -0.6 |
| 90 mph | 89.2 mph | -0.8 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,909 on the road, so it over-counts by 91. At a true 70 mph the first turns 837 times a minute, the second 845.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 205/75R16. 215/70R16 carries 30.