CarSpecsHQ

255/65R16 vs 245/70R16

245/70R16 is a safe swap for 255/65R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.56%.

16" rim
255/65R16 29.05" · 245/70R16 29.50" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/65R16245/70R16Difference
Overall diameter29.05"29.50"+0.45" (+1.56%)
Section width255 mm245 mm-10 mm
Sidewall6.53"6.75"+0.23"
Rim16"16"same
Circumference91.3"92.7"+1.4"
Revs per mile694684-11
Ride height——+0.23"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.9+0.9 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.9 mph

With 245/70R16 on a car calibrated for 255/65R16, the speedometer reads 59.1 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.6%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.5 mph
45 mph45.7 mph
60 mph60.9 mph
70 mph71.1 mph
80 mph81.2 mph

Other sizes close to 255/65R16

Questions

Can I replace 255/65R16 with 245/70R16?

245/70R16 is a safe swap for 255/65R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.56%.

What's the difference between 255/65R16 and 245/70R16?

245/70R16 is 0.45" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.23". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.9 mph.

Will 245/70R16 fit on 255/65R16 wheels?

Both use a 16" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 245 mm tire and the fender clearance.