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Tire Size Comparison

255/70R18 vs 265/65R17

Switching from 255/70R18 to 265/65R17 changes overall diameter by -4.65% (32.06 in → 30.56 in).

-4.65%Borderline — noticeable speedometer/odometer error

Speedometer error

With a speedometer calibrated to 255/70R18, fitting 265/65R17 makes it read as follows:

Speedo showsTrue speedSpeedo showsTrue speed
40 km/h38.1 km/h25 mph24 mph
60 km/h57.2 km/h37 mph36 mph
80 km/h76.3 km/h50 mph47 mph
100 km/h95.3 km/h62 mph59 mph
120 km/h114.4 km/h75 mph71 mph

Full comparison

255/70R18
Overall diameter814.2 mm · 32.06 in
Section width255 mm · 10.04 in
Sidewall height178.5 mm · 7.03 in
Circumference2557.9 mm · 100.7 in
Revolutions per mile629
Revolutions per km391
265/65R17
Overall diameter776.3 mm · 30.56 in
Section width265 mm · 10.43 in
Sidewall height172.3 mm · 6.78 in
Circumference2438.8 mm · 96.0 in
Revolutions per mile660
Revolutions per km410
Original tire
New tire
-4.65%Borderline — noticeable speedometer/odometer error
32.130.6
Original
Overall diameter814.2 mm · 32.06 in
Sidewall height178.5 mm
Circumference2,557.9 mm
Revolutions / mile629.2
New
Overall diameter776.3 mm · 30.56 in
Sidewall height172.3 mm
Circumference2,438.8 mm
Revolutions / mile659.9
Speedometer & odometer error

The new tire changes overall diameter by -4.65%. With a speedometer calibrated to the original tire, that same percentage is how far the speedometer and odometer read off — a taller tire means your true speed is higher than indicated and the odometer under-counts distance.

Speedo showsTrue speedSpeedo showsTrue speed
40 km/h38.1 km/h25 mph24 mph
60 km/h57.2 km/h37 mph36 mph
80 km/h76.3 km/h50 mph47 mph
100 km/h95.3 km/h62 mph59 mph
120 km/h114.4 km/h75 mph71 mph

See individual specs: 255/70R18 · 265/65R17. A change this size can affect ABS/speed calibration — see wheel-speed codes if a light appears.