CarSpecsHQ

185/65R15 vs 245/45R16

245/45R16 is a safe swap for 185/65R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.87%.

15" → 16"
185/65R15 24.47" · 245/45R16 24.68" · drawn to scale

Side by side

185/65R15245/45R16Difference
Overall diameter24.47"24.68"+0.21" (+0.87%)
Section width185 mm245 mm+60 mm
Sidewall4.73"4.34"-0.39"
Rim15"16"+1"
Circumference76.9"77.5"+0.7"
Revs per mile824817-7
Ride height——+0.11"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.5+0.5 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.5 mph

With 245/45R16 on a car calibrated for 185/65R15, the speedometer reads 59.5 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.9%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.3 mph
45 mph45.4 mph
60 mph60.5 mph
70 mph70.6 mph
80 mph80.7 mph

Other sizes close to 185/65R15

Questions

Can I replace 185/65R15 with 245/45R16?

245/45R16 is a safe swap for 185/65R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.87%.

What's the difference between 185/65R15 and 245/45R16?

245/45R16 is 0.21" taller and 60 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.39". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.5 mph.

Will 245/45R16 fit on 185/65R15 wheels?

No — 185/65R15 needs a 15" wheel and 245/45R16 a 16" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.