Do you want to choose between the 235 60r17 and 225 65r17 tires and want to know about the key differences that these tires have? Then guess what this article is just for you.
You see, this guide is designed in such a way that you are going to learn not only just about the major differences between the two tires but also gain significant insight into the inherent qualities and characteristics of the two tires.
So what are you waiting for? If you really want to get all the major differences between the two tires in detail then read ahead and enlighten yourself with this special knowledge which has been prepared just for you.
235/60r17 vs 225/65r17 Tire – Detailed Comparison Chart
This comparison chart is full of details, both big and small, and it is designed in such a way that you will get all the little details on some of the major differences between the two tires in one place.
You will also be able to decide which tire type will be best suited for your vehicle only by looking at the comparison table once. If you want to learn every single detail about the two tires then go ahead and have a good look at them. Here is the chart:
| Key Points | 235 60r17 Tires | 225 65r17 Tires |
|---|---|---|
| Section Width | 9.25 inches | 8.86 inches |
| Sidewall Height | 5.55 inches | 5.76 inches |
| Overall Diameter | 28.10 inches | 28.52 inches |
| Circumference | 88.29 inches | 89.58 inches |
| Revs Per Mile | 717 kph/ 445 mph | 707 kph/ 439 mph |
| Radius | 14.05 inches | 14.26 inches |
| Typical Weight | 24 lbs/ 10.89 kg | 25lbs/ 11.34 kg |
| Rim Width Range | 6.5-9 inches | 6-8 inches |
| Foot Print Size | 175 mm | 165 mm |
| Max PSI | 44 psi | 44 psi |
| Rim Diameter | 17 inches | 17 inches |
| Tire Types | A-Radial Ply Tire | A-Radial Ply Tire |
| Load Range | Standard | Standard |
| Sidewall Letters | Black | Black |
| Tread Depth | 10/32 inches | 10/32 inches |
| Max Load | 1874 lbs/ 850 kg | 1764 lbs/ 800 kg |
| Max Speed | 118 mph | 118 mph |
235 60r17 vs 225 65r17 Tire – Major Differences Explained
As we can see there, that 235 60R17 tire has a larger contact patch than a 225 65R17 tire, so that tire comes with better traction. So, here we have to fix which type of tire we need. Now we will talk about the differences below.
Section Width
Cross section width or section width of a tire is one of the major things to consider while choosing a specific type of tire for your vehicle because if affects your vehicle’s traction, ride comfort, and steering response.
The 235 60r17 tires have a section width of 9.25 inches or 235 mm. Whereas, the 225 65r17 tires have a section width of 8.86 inches or 225 mm. The difference between the two is 0.39 inches or 10 mm.
Sidewall Height
To give you a more comfortable driving experience, your vehicle’s sidewall height plays a very crucial role. Moreover, it affects your vehicle’s handling as well. The sidewall height of the 235 60r17 tires is 5.55 inches or 141 mm. On the other hand, the sidewall height of the 225 65r17 tires is 5.76 inches or 146.25 mm. The difference between the two is 0.21 inches or 5.25 mm.
Overall Diameter
The overall diameter is very crucial because it affects your vehicle’s handling, fuel economy, and overall driving experience. The overall diameter of the 235 60r17 tires is 28.10 inches or 713.8 mm. On the contrary, the overall diameter of the 225 65r17 tires is 28.52 inches or 724.3 mm. The difference between the diameters is 0.41 inches or 10.5 mm.
Circumference
Circumference of a tire refers to the distance it travels in a single revolution. It’s crucial for getting an accurate speedometer reading. In the case of the 235 60r17 tires, the circumference is 88.29 inches or 2242.47 mm. Whereas, the 225 65r17 tires have a circumference of 89.58 inches or 2275.46 mm. The difference is 1.3 inches or 32.99 mm.
Revolutions Per Mile
It affects your vehicle’s fuel consumption rate. The RPM of the 235 60r17 tires is 717 kph. The RPM of the 225 65r17 tires is 707 kph. The difference is 10 kph only.
Tire Types
Both the 235 60r17 and 225 65r17 tires have a radial tire construction type. This means that the cord plies are arranged in such a way that the angle always remains at 90 degrees to the direction it travels.
Rim Diameter
In the case of the 235 60r17 tires, they have a rim diameter of 17 inches. Again, the 225 65r17 tires have a rim diameter of 17 inches. There is no difference here.
235 60r17 vs 225 65r17 Tire – Others Differences Explained?
When it comes to pinpointing the differences, there are some significant differences between the two tires. Both the tires are really good and offer great service to the owners. Yet there are some key points that you must take into consideration before choosing between the two tires for your vehicle. Here are some of the main differences:
Load Capacity
The 235 60r17 tires are more suitable for bigger and heavier vehicles since they are much bigger and wider than the 225 65r17 tires. So, it is quite evident that the 235 60r17 tires can withstand a heavy amount of load without putting any real pressure on themselves.
On the other hand, the 225 65r17 tires are usually suitable for light to mid-range vehicles. Since the 225 65r17 tires are somewhat narrower compared to the 235 60r17 tires, it is best if you burden it with a slightly less amount of luggage that is lighter in weight.
Or else there is a strong possibility that your 225 65r17 tires will rupture while driving because the heavy load will create great pressure on the tires.
Warranty
The tires that are narrower in nature usually provide low rolling resistance. On the other hand, tires that are bigger and wider come with a higher rolling resistance because they cover more ground area while running.
Since 225 65r17 tires have a low rolling resistance, they come with a longer tread wear warranty which is 70,000 miles. On the contrary, as 235 60r17 tires have a higher rolling resistance, they come with a slightly less tread wear warranty which is 60,000 miles.
Weight & Speed
Normally, the weight of the tires doesn’t matter much when it comes to the overall performance of the vehicle. But it is both wise and advisable to use heavier tires for heavier vehicles and lighter tires for smaller and lighter vehicles.
The 225 65r17 tires are slightly less in weight compared to the 235 60r17 tires. So, if you use 235 60r17 tires for small vehicles then it may put higher pressure on the engine and your vehicle will run slowly. The opposite is true for the 225 65r17 tires as well.
When it comes to the question of offering the top speed, the 225 65r17 tires are a little bit slower compared to the 235 60r17 tires. So, 235 60r17 tires run a bit faster on the highways compared to 225 65r17 tires.
While going offroad, the 235 60r17 tires offer slightly better traction than the 225 65r17 tires. So, there is slightly less chance of your tires being punctured when it comes in contact with a rock or something if you are using the 235 60r17 tires.
Fuel Mileage
Tires having lower rolling resistance offer better fuel mileage because they have narrow width and come in contact with less ground area while running. Whereas, tires that are bigger and wider offer higher rolling resistance and which means that their fuel economy is not that good.
The 225 65r17 tires are narrower in size and have low rolling resistance. That’s why they offer a better fuel economy compared to the 235 60r17 tires because, unlike the 225 65r17 tires, their rolling resistance is slightly on the higher side.
Width of the Rim and Tire
In the case of the 225 65r17 tires, the tire width stands at 225 mm and the rim width is 8.86 inches which makes it suitable for light and small vehicles.
On the other hand, the tire size for the 235 60r17 tires is 235 mm and their rim width is 9.25 inches which are perfectly suitable for large and heavy vehicles.
While running, the 235 60r17 tires offer slightly improved handling and better grip because they have a large tire surface touching the road.
On the contrary, the 225 65r17 tires offer slightly less handling and gripping compared to the 235 60r17 tires, because they have a smaller tire surface touching the road while running.
Performance on Wet Pavement
It is quite difficult for the large and wide tires to remove water from under the wheel. That’s why they find it really hard to brake effectively on wet pavements.
On the other hand, small tires have the ability to remove water quite easily. Thus perform a lot better on wet pavements.
The 235 60r17 tires are quite large compared to the 225 65r17 tires. So, it becomes slightly difficult for the 235 60r17 tires to perform on wet surfaces.
On the contrary, the 225 65r17 tires are smaller and narrower compared to the 235 60r17 tires and have the ability to remove water from under the wheel better. That’s why they perform a lot better on wet surfaces.
Performance on Dry Pavement
Larger tires have increased contact patches and increased traction. That’s why it becomes a lot easier for those tires to perform on dry pavements compared to the tires that are smaller.
The 235 60r17 tires are bigger in size and have increased traction and increased contact patches. That’s why they can perform much better on dry pavements and surfaces.
On the other hand, the 225 65r17 tires are smaller compared to the 235 60r17 tires. This means they perform slightly less on dry pavements and surfaces.
Ride Comfort & Noise
Large tires capture more air inside them. So, they make increased noise and make riding uncomfortable. Whereas, small tires capture less air and thus make less noise as well.
The 225 65r17 tires are smaller compared to the 235 60r17 tires. That is why they don’t capture much air inside them and thus make less noise and make your riding experience better and more comfortable.
On the contrary, the 235 60r17 tires are larger and wider and they always capture more air inside them. Thus they produce more noise which may seem a bit harsh to the ear.
235 60r17 vs 225 65r17 Tires – What Is Letters and Numbers?
If you have a close look at the body of the tires, you will see a bunch of letters and numbers inscribed on them. So, what do those letters and members actually mean, have you ever wondered? Today we are going to give a clear answer to that question. Let’s dissect those letters and numbers into different small parts and try to learn what they actually mean. Here it goes
235 vs 225: The number 225 on a tire means that it has a width of 225 millimeters. Similarly, the number 235 on a tire means that it has a width of 235 millimeters.
The width of the tire is important because it tells a lot about the tire. The 235 60r17 tires have more width than the 225 65r17 tires. Having more width means that the tire has a higher capacity of offering better grip and handling while running.
R: The letter “R” on a tire usually means that it has a radial tire construction type. This indicates that the spokes are usually coming out right from the center of the inner tire. Both the 225 65r17 and the 235 60r17 tires contain the letter R. This means that both of them have radial tire construction types.
60 vs 65: Do you want to know how to tell the width of a tire easily? Yes, you can do it by looking at the number given on the dash. If the given number is 60, it usually means that the cross-section height of the tire is equal to 60% of its width.
In the case of the 225 65r17 tires, the given number is 65. So, it means that the cross-section height of the tire is equal to 65% of its width Similarly, In the case of the 235 60r17 tires, the given number is 60. So, it means that the cross-section height of the tire is equal to 60% of its width.
17: This number represents the size of the tire. This means that the measurement of the wheel’s diameter is 17 inches. It also indicates that you can fit this type of tire only on a 17- inch wheel. The wheel sizes for both 235 60r17 and 225 65r17 tires are 17 inches. This means that you have to fit this tire on a 17-inches wheel or bigger.
P: Sometimes you will notice a special letter printed on the side of a tire which actually tells you what kind of a tire it actually is. If the letter that is printed on the side of the tire is “p”, then it means that this tire is suitable for a passenger car only. There are some other letters such as T, LT, C, or ST. All these letters tell you a lot of different things about the tire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the main frequently asked questions regarding these two tire types are given below just for you:
Which Tire Type Is Better: Bigger or Smaller?
If you want to improve your vehicle’s traction then bigger tires will serve your purpose well. But bigger tires mean you will have to spend more money. So, you should always consider your budget first before going for bigger tires.
What Tire Size Offers the Smoothest Ride: Bigger or Smaller?
Smaller tires offer the smoothest ride undoubtedly. Smaller tires offer perfect handling, good stability, and very little road noise as well.
Does Tire Size Have the Ability to Affect Gas Mileage?
Yes, definitely. Smaller tires consume less gas whereas wider and larger tires need more gas to run.
Will It Be a Problem If I Use Different Tires Both Front and Back?
For the best performance, it is advisable to use the same tire both front and back. Not only that you should use the same size as well as the same brand while choosing the best tires for your vehicle.
Which Tire Is Better for Driving in the Rain?
Wider tires are definitely better for driving in the rain or in wet conditions. It is because wider tires have more sipes which are helpful for removing water from the contact surface. On the other hand, small tires have fewer sipes, that’s why they are not as effective as wider tires for driving in the rain.
Final Thoughts
Both 225 65r17 and 235 60r17 tires are very competitive and have a very good reputation in the marketplace. Performance wise both the tires are performing really well. So, it’s up to you really to choose the best one that would go well with your vehicle and also serve your purpose well. Only because a tire is perfect in all respect, it doesn’t mean that it will also be the best for your vehicle as well. So, choose wisely and invest carefully.
