255/70R16 vs 215/85R16
215/85R16 is a safe swap for 255/70R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.11%.
Speedometer and odometer
With 215/85R16 on a car calibrated for 255/70R16, the speedometer reads 59.3 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.1%.
| Speedo shows | Actual speed |
|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.3 mph |
| 45 mph | 45.5 mph |
| 60 mph | 60.7 mph |
| 70 mph | 70.8 mph |
| 80 mph | 80.9 mph |
Other sizes close to 255/70R16
- 255/70R16 vs 245/75R16+1.38%
- 255/70R16 vs 225/75R16-2.55%
- 255/70R16 vs 265/70R16+1.83%
- 255/70R16 vs 235/70R16-3.67%
- 255/70R16 vs 245/70R16-1.83%
- 255/70R16 vs 255/65R17-0.01%
- 255/70R16 vs 30x9.50R15-0.18%
- 255/70R16 vs 235/70R17-0.34%
- 255/70R16 vs 235/75R16-0.59%
- 255/70R16 vs 255/65R16-3.34%
- 255/70R16 vs 275/70R16+3.67%
- 255/70R16 vs 225/75R17+0.77%
Questions
Can I replace 255/70R16 with 215/85R16?
215/85R16 is a safe swap for 255/70R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.11%.
What's the difference between 255/70R16 and 215/85R16?
215/85R16 is 0.33" taller and 40 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.17". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.7 mph.
Will 215/85R16 fit on 255/70R16 wheels?
Both use a 16" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 215 mm tire and the fender clearance.