Question 1

Which tire is taller, 165/70 R14 or 185/55 R15?

Accepted Answer

165/70 R14 is taller by 2.1 mm (0.36%) compared with 185/55 R15.

Question 2

What is the diameter difference between 165/70 R14 and 185/55 R15?

Accepted Answer

165/70 R14 measures 587 mm overall diameter, 185/55 R15 measures 585 mm — a difference of 2.1 mm (0.36%).

Question 3

How much speedometer error does this change create?

Accepted Answer

Switching from 165/70 R14 to 185/55 R15 changes the speedometer reading by -0.36%. At an indicated 100 km/h, your true speed becomes about 99.6 km/h.

Question 4

Is 185/55 R15 a safe replacement for 165/70 R14?

Accepted Answer

Within ±3% diameter — generally considered a safe replacement from a speedometer-error standpoint, provided wheel offset, rim width and clearance also match your vehicle.

Question 5

What else should I check before changing tire size?

Accepted Answer

Beyond diameter and speedometer error, verify wheel offset (ET), rim width, hub bore, load index, brake and suspension clearance, and your vehicle's manufacturer specification. Local regulations may also limit how far you can deviate from OEM.

Metric	165/70 R14	185/55 R15	Difference
Overall diameter	586.6 mm	584.5 mm	-2.1 mm (-0.36%)
Sidewall height	115.5 mm	101.8 mm	-13.8 mm
Circumference	1.843 m	1.836 m	-6.6 mm
Revs / km	542.6	544.6	+1.9
Ground clearance	reference	-1.0 mm	-1.0 mm
Speedometer @ 100 km/h	100.0 km/h	99.6 km/h	-0.36 km/h

165/70 R14 vs 185/55 R15

Detailed comparison

Verdict: excellent

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