245/80R16 vs 255/75R16
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -1.2 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 245/80R16 | 255/75R16 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 31.4" | 31.1" | -1.2 % |
| Sidewall | 7.72" | 7.53" | -2.4 % |
| Section width | 245 mm | 255 mm | +4.1 % |
| Circumference | 98.7" | 97.6" | -1.2 % |
| Revs per mile | 642 | 649 | +1.2 % |
| Axle height | 15.72" | 15.53" | -4.8 mm |
| Approved rim width | 7–9" | 7–9.5" | overlap 7–9" |
Both are approved on a rim 7" to 9" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 245/80R16. Fit 255/75R16 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 | 69.2 mph | -0.8 |
| 90 mph | 88.9 mph | -1.1 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,881 on the road, so it over-counts by 119. At a true 70 mph the first turns 749 times a minute, the second 758.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 245/80R16. 255/75R16 carries 4.