CarSpecsHQ

195/55R15 vs 175/65R15

175/65R15 is a safe swap for 195/55R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.18%.

15" rim
195/55R15 23.44" · 175/65R15 23.96" · drawn to scale

Side by side

195/55R15175/65R15Difference
Overall diameter23.44"23.96"+0.51" (+2.18%)
Section width195 mm175 mm-20 mm
Sidewall4.22"4.48"+0.26"
Rim15"15"same
Circumference73.7"75.3"+1.6"
Revs per mile860842-18
Ride height——+0.26"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.3+1.3 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.3 mph

With 175/65R15 on a car calibrated for 195/55R15, the speedometer reads 58.7 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.2%.

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

Other sizes close to 195/55R15

Questions

Can I replace 195/55R15 with 175/65R15?

175/65R15 is a safe swap for 195/55R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.18%.

What's the difference between 195/55R15 and 175/65R15?

175/65R15 is 0.51" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.26". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.3 mph.

Will 175/65R15 fit on 195/55R15 wheels?

Both use a 15" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 175 mm tire and the fender clearance.