CarSpecsHQ

235/70R16 vs 235/65R17

235/65R17 is a safe swap for 235/70R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.26%.

16" → 17"
235/70R16 28.95" · 235/65R17 29.03" · drawn to scale

Side by side

235/70R16235/65R17Difference
Overall diameter28.95"29.03"+0.07" (+0.26%)
Section width235 mm235 mm0 mm
Sidewall6.48"6.01"-0.46"
Rim16"17"+1"
Circumference91.0"91.2"+0.2"
Revs per mile697695-2
Ride height——+0.04"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.2+0.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.2 mph

With 235/65R17 on a car calibrated for 235/70R16, the speedometer reads 59.8 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.3%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.1 mph
45 mph45.1 mph
60 mph60.2 mph
70 mph70.2 mph
80 mph80.2 mph

Other sizes close to 235/70R16

Questions

Can I replace 235/70R16 with 235/65R17?

235/65R17 is a safe swap for 235/70R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.26%.

What's the difference between 235/70R16 and 235/65R17?

235/65R17 is 0.07" taller and 0 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.46". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.2 mph.

Will 235/65R17 fit on 235/70R16 wheels?

No — 235/70R16 needs a 16" wheel and 235/65R17 a 17" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.