285/60R17 vs 265/65R17
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by +0.3 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 285/60R17 | 265/65R17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 30.5" | 30.6" | +0.3 % |
| Sidewall | 6.73" | 6.78" | +0.7 % |
| Section width | 285 mm | 265 mm | -7.0 % |
| Circumference | 95.7" | 96.0" | +0.3 % |
| Revs per mile | 662 | 660 | -0.3 % |
| Axle height | 15.23" | 15.28" | +1.3 mm |
| Approved rim width | 8–10.5" | 7.5–9.5" | overlap 8–9.5" |
Both are approved on a rim 8" to 9.5" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 285/60R17. Fit 265/65R17 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.1 mph | +0.1 |
| 50 mph | 50.2 mph | +0.2 |
| 70 mph | 70.2 mph | +0.2 |
| 90 mph | 90.3 mph | +0.3 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 10,032 on the road, so it under-counts by 32. At a true 70 mph the first turns 772 times a minute, the second 770.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 285/60R17. 265/65R17 carries 45.