215/85R16 vs 265/65R17
265/65R17 is a safe swap for 215/85R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.57%.
Speedometer and odometer
With 265/65R17 on a car calibrated for 215/85R16, the speedometer reads 59.7 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.6%.
| Speedo shows | Actual speed |
|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.2 mph |
| 45 mph | 45.3 mph |
| 60 mph | 60.3 mph |
| 70 mph | 70.4 mph |
| 80 mph | 80.5 mph |
Other sizes close to 215/85R16
- 215/85R16 vs 265/75R16+4.15%
- 215/85R16 vs 245/70R17+0.38%
- 215/85R16 vs 245/75R16+0.26%
- 215/85R16 vs 225/75R16-3.63%
- 215/85R16 vs 265/70R16+0.71%
- 215/85R16 vs 235/70R16-4.73%
- 215/85R16 vs 235/85R16+4.40%
- 215/85R16 vs 245/70R16-2.91%
- 215/85R16 vs 255/70R16-1.10%
- 215/85R16 vs 235/75R16-1.68%
- 215/85R16 vs 255/65R16-4.40%
- 215/85R16 vs 275/70R16+2.53%
Questions
Can I replace 215/85R16 with 265/65R17?
265/65R17 is a safe swap for 215/85R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.57%.
What's the difference between 215/85R16 and 265/65R17?
265/65R17 is 0.17" taller and 50 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.41". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.3 mph.
Will 265/65R17 fit on 215/85R16 wheels?
No — 215/85R16 needs a 16" wheel and 265/65R17 a 17" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.