In the case of replacing tires, the most crucial factor is the size, which can impact the overall riding quality. In comparison between 255 70r17 vs 265 70r17 tire size, you may notice a slight difference in the section width. But this slight difference changes so many other factors.
- Increase the overall diameter to around 0.55 inches.
- Additional width provides more grip but reduces the fuel economy.
- Surprisingly, the wider tire is more affordable here.
These are just a few. Read the whole article to learn more about the difference between 255/70 and 265/70 tires for 17-inch rims.
Comparison Table: 255 70r17 vs 265 70r17 tire size
Before you know the details of the differences between 255 70r17 vs 265 70r17 tires, here is a chart to quickly compare the main specs of these two sizes.
| Features | 255 55r16 | 265 60r16 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Diameter | 31.06 inches | 31.61 inches |
| Circumference | 97.56 inches | 99.29 inches |
| Section Width | 10.04 inches | 10.43 inches |
| Rim Diameter | 17 inches | 17 inches |
| Sidewall Height | 7.03 | 7.3 |
| Construction Type | Radial | Radial |
| Revs Per Mile | 649.43 | 638.1 |
| Aspect ratio | 70 | 70 |
| Approved Rim Width | 6.5-8.5 | 7-9 |
| Radius | 15.53 inches | 15.805 inches |
| Tire Pressure (PSI) | 36 | 36 |
| Speedometer Reading | 20 | 20.35 |
Detail comparison between 255 70r17 vs 265 70r17 tire size
You knew the main differentiator factors between the 255 70r17 and 265 70r17 tires. Here are the details of those factors.
Overall Diameter
- The overall diameter of a tire is the measurement of a tire from one sidewall to another, including the tread.
- The higher diameter means more control.
255 70r17 tire comes with 31.06-inch of overall diameter, where the 265 70r17 tire size has an overall diameter of 31.61-inches. It means 265 70r17 will give you 0.55-inch more diameter than 255/70 tires.
Circumference
- Circumference is the distance of the tire from one side to another.
- It depends on your wheel size and tire width.
Circumference for 255 70r17 tires is 97.56-inch, while 265/70 tires have a circumference of 99.29-inches, which is 1.73-inch more than 255 70r17 tires.
Section Width
- The section width is simply the width of the tire.
- Wide tires give more smooth riding and better grip.
The sectional width of 255 70r17 is 10.04, and the sectional width of 265 70r17 is 10.43-inch, which adds 0.39 inches wider than 255/70 tires. This slight difference impacts the tires’ grip on the roads.
Rim Diameter
- Rim size is the measurement of the wheel.
- Every tire comes in a particular wheel size.
The rim diameter of 255 70r17 is 17-inch, while the rim diameter of 265/70 tires is 17-inch as well. It means both sizes fit on the same wheel size, and you don’t need to change the rim.
Sidewall Height
- Sidewall height is the tire measurement from the wheel surface to the tread.
- More sidewall height means more cushioning and a smoother ride.
The sidewall height of 255 70r17 is 7.03-inch, and the sidewall height of 265/70 tires is 7.3-inch, which is 0.27-inch more than 255 70r17 tires.
Construction Type
- The tire’s construction type defines why it is made and how it will be used.
- Here the difference is notable on different terrine.
Both the 255 70r17 and 265/70 tires come in the same type of radial construction. However, the 255/70 tires are designed for highway use because of their lightweight and narrow profile. The 265/70 tire size is heavier and has a wider profile, which helps to provide better traction on off-road terrains.
Revs Per Mile (RPM)
- RPM means how many revolutions the tire will make after covering a mile.
- The more RPM can cause some issues in speedometer accuracy and fuel efficiency.
The 255 70r17 tires have revs per mile of 649.43, and 265/70 tires have revs per mile of 638.1, which is 11.33 revs less than 255/70 tires. Lower RPM means better fuel efficiency and speedometer accuracy.
Aspect Ratio
- Aspect ratio is the measuring comparison between the section width and the tire’s sidewall height.
- A tire’s aspect ratio affects your vehicle’s overall handling and performance.
Both the 255 70r17 and 265/70 tires come with an aspect ratio of 70. It means both tires give you a good balance between ride comfort and grip.
Approved Rim Width
- Approved rim width is the range of rim widths that fit a particular tire size.
- Every tire has its own range of approved rim widths for a safe installation.
The 255 70r17 tires require rims with a width between 6.5-8.5 inches, while the 265 70r17 tires need a rim width between 7-9 inches. It means 265/70 tires require 0.5-inch wider rims than 255/70 tires.
Radius
- Tire radius is the distance from the wheel’s centre to the tire’s outer edge.
- The radius of the tire is half of the overall diameter.
The 255 70r17 tires have a radius of 15.53 inches, and the 265 70r17 tires have 15.805 inches radius, which is 0.275 inches more than the other counterpart.
Tire pressure
- Tire pressure means the amount of air pressure in your tire.
- More tire pressure increases the tire’s contact patch with the ground, which provides more traction.
Here both the tire sizes (255 70r17 and 265 70r17 tires) require the same tire pressure of 36 PSI (pound per square inch). It means both tires need the same amount of air to operate safely.
Speedometer Reading
- Tire size has a great impact on the speedometer reading.
- Speedometer reading means how the speedometer will display your car’s actual speed.
The 255 70r17 tires accurately read a 17-inch rim, so you don’t need to adjust the speedometer. The 265/70 tires give a 1.75% faster reading than the actual speed since they are wider and turn fewer revolutions per mile than their counterparts. Thus, you will need to adjust your speedometer for more accurate readings.
Comparison chart: 255 70r17 vs 265 70r17 tire size
Time to know more comparison between the 255 70r17 and 265 70r17 tires. Here is our second chart on those factors.
| Features | 255 70r17 | 265 70r17 |
|---|---|---|
| Load Capacity | 2469 lbs | 2679 lbs |
| Tread Depth | 12mm | 14.1mm |
| Grip on road | Good | Slightly more |
| Speed rating | T – 118 mph (190 kph) | S – 112 mph (180 kph) |
| Clearance | Basic | +7 mm |
| Tire Price | $140-$250 | $125-230 |
Other detail comparisons of 255 70r17 vs 265 70r17 tire size
Here are the details of other comparisons between 255 70r17 and 265/70 tires.
Load capacity
- Tire load capacity means the amount of weight a tire can carry at a given pressure.
- Consider the load capacity when replacing your tires.
The 255 70r17 tires have a load capacity of 2,469 lbs, while 265/70 tires have a higher load capacity of 2,679 lbs. So the 265/70 tires can carry more load than their counterparts.
Tread Depth
- Tread depth is the measurement of the grooves in your tire.
- It shows how much tread life is remaining in your tire.
The 255 70r17 tires have a tread depth of 12/32 inches, while the 265 70r17 tires also have a tread depth of 14.1/32 inches. The extra 2.1 mm tread depth of the 265 tires makes them suitable for off-road driving.
Grip on Road
- Tires’ grip on the road is one of the most crucial factors when choosing tires for your vehicle.
- Having a better grip on the road ensures safety and improves driving performance.
Both the 255 70r17 and 265/70 tires provide a good grip on the road, but the extra width of the 265/70 tires gives them an advantage in this aspect. The extra width means more contact with the road surface, resulting in better grip and traction.
Speed rating
- Speed rating tells you the maximum speed a tire can handle.
- It’s represented by a letter, and each speed rating has its limits.
The 255 70r17 tires have a speed rating of T, which means the maximum speed is 118 mph (190 km/h). The 265/70 tires have a slightly lower S speed rating, allowing them to go up to 112 mph (180 km/h). That means that the 255/70 tires can withstand higher speeds than their counterparts.
Clearance
- Ground clearance means the space between the tires and the ground.
- Lower ground clearance gives the vehicles an appealing look, whereas higher clearance saves the vehicle from obstacles on the road.
If you replace the 255 70r17 tire with the 265 70r17 tire, you will get 7 mm additional clearance. That means the additional 7 mm provides better protection from road obstacles, and you won’t have to worry about driving over rocks or bumps.
Tire price
- Tire price is an important factor when replacing your tires.
- It shows how affordable the tire is.
You might be wrong if you assume that the 255/70r17 tires are more affordable than their 265/70r17 counterparts. Here, 255 tires begin at around $140, while 265 tires start from $125, making them significantly more economical.
Can you replace the 255 70r17 tire with the 265 70r17?
Can you put 265 tires on 255? Yes, you can replace the 255 70r17 tire with the 265 70r17 tire. The 265/70 tires provide more traction due to the extra width, allow for higher load capacity, and have a better grip on the road than their counterparts.
It also provides more clearance. On top of that, 265 is more fuel efficient and affordable, making them an ideal choice for someone looking for a tire upgrade.
However, in this replacement, you may have a lower speed rating. That is because wider tires are slower, whereas narrower tires are more speedy.
Overall, if you want to replace 255 70r17 with 265 70r17, go for it without hesitation. It would give you the best performance and safety on the roads, especially on wet and bumpy roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 265 70R17 equivalent to?
A 265/70R17 tire is equivalent to a 31.6×10.4R17 tire, which is 31.6 inches (803mm) in diameter and 10.4 inches in width (265mm).
This size tire is commonly used on light trucks and SUVs because it delivers an excellent blend of handling, grip, and braking ability in wet or off-road conditions.
The 265/70R17 size has more ground clearance for improved navigation over rocky terrain. On the highway, these tires save gasoline because of their low rolling resistance and lower noise levels when compared to larger all-terrain tires.
What size rim do I need for 255 70R17?
The 255/70R17 tire size requires a rim size of 17 inches, which is the standard size for most light truck and SUV tires.
Some higher-performance vehicles may require a larger rim size to accommodate wider tires.
The 255/70R17 tire can also be used on 18-inch rims but with reduced performance since it adds so much pressure to the sidewalls of the tires.
Is 265 the width of a tire?
Yes, 265 is the width of a tire. The tire size is typically expressed in three-digit numbers, such as 255/70R17, where the first number (255) represents the tire’s width in millimetres, and the second number (70) represents the aspect ratio or height of the sidewall compared to its width.
The letter (R) stands for radial construction. And finally, 17 means the rim’s diameter.
Conclusion
According to us, replacing 255/70R17 tires with 265/70R17 tires is a great choice. The new tire provides better traction, higher load capacity, and improved ground clearance for off-road navigation.
It also offers superior fuel efficiency, noise reduction, and affordability – making it an ideal upgrade for anyone looking to improve their ride.
