CarSpecsHQ

175/65R15 vs 185/65R15

185/65R15 is a safe swap for 175/65R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.14%.

15" rim
175/65R15 23.96" · 185/65R15 24.47" · drawn to scale

Side by side

175/65R15185/65R15Difference
Overall diameter23.96"24.47"+0.51" (+2.14%)
Section width175 mm185 mm+10 mm
Sidewall4.48"4.73"+0.26"
Rim15"15"same
Circumference75.3"76.9"+1.6"
Revs per mile842824-18
Ride height——+0.26"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.3+1.3 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.3 mph

With 185/65R15 on a car calibrated for 175/65R15, the speedometer reads 58.7 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.1%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.6 mph
45 mph46.0 mph
60 mph61.3 mph
70 mph71.5 mph
80 mph81.7 mph

Other sizes close to 175/65R15

Questions

Can I replace 175/65R15 with 185/65R15?

185/65R15 is a safe swap for 175/65R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.14%.

What's the difference between 175/65R15 and 185/65R15?

185/65R15 is 0.51" taller and 10 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.26". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.3 mph.

Will 185/65R15 fit on 175/65R15 wheels?

Both use a 15" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 185 mm tire and the fender clearance.