265/70R16 vs 265/75R16 Comparison - Metric & Inches

Thinking about changing your tyres to a different size?

The mere thought of dealing with all of the unfamiliar tyre dimensions and their impact on your vehicle can be overwhelming at times.

But, no need to stress any longer. We’re here to help!

Diameter

The 265/70R16 tyre has a diameter of 777.7mm (30.6 inches), while the 265/75R16 boasts a larger diameter of 804.9mm (30.6 inches). The 3.4% variation affects the ground clearance and overall appearance of the vehicle.

If your vehicle has a stock size of 265/70R16 (and is a 4WD), you can legally upgrade to the 265/75R16 size, as the diameter difference is less than 50mm.

With the larger diameter of the 265/70R16 tyre, you can expect an improvement in the vehicle’s ground clearance, which can be beneficial for off-road driving or when navigating obstacles.

However, bear in mind that the increase in diameter also leads to decreased acceleration. Your engine will have to exert more effort to rotate these larger tyres, affecting your vehicle’s speed.

Sidewall

The sidewall of the 265/70R16 tyre measures 185.5mm, whereas the 265/75R16 features a taller sidewall of 198.8mm. This accounts for 7.1% difference in height, which profoundly influences various aspects of your driving experience.

The increased sidewall height of the 265/75R16 provides enhanced cushioning and flexibility, significantly improving comfort while driving.The additional shock absorption capability comes in handy when dealing with road bumps and vibrations.

Moreover, the 265/75R16 taller sidewall improves traction and off-road capability.

Circumference

The 265/70R16 tyre size has a circumference of 2,442mm, while the 265/75R16 measures 2,526mm. The 3.4% difference implies that the 265/75R16 tyre covers a slightly longer distance with each revolution compared to the 265/70R16 size.

With the 265/75R16 covering more ground in one revolution, it will cause the speedometer to read slightly lower than the actual speed. It’s important to be aware of this discrepancy to ensure compliance with speed limits and accurate speed monitoring.

Revs Per Kilometre & Speedometer Correction

The 265/70R16 has an RPK value of 409.5, while the 265/75R16 has 396.0 revs per kilometre. This indicates that the 265/70R16 requires more revolutions to travel a kilometre compared to the 265/75R16 tyre.

The -3.3% difference in revolutions per kilometre between the two sizes can affect the accuracy of speedometer readings.

When transitioning between the 285/75R16 and 265/75R16 tyre sizes, it is necessary to calibrate the speedometer. This is because differences in tyre dimensions can lead to inaccurate speedometer readings.

Switching tyres between the 285/75R16 and 265/75R16 sizes is possible, but it’s important to consider factors like fitment, clearance, and potential effects on speedometer and odometer accuracy.

The impact on performance and driving experience should also be taken into account before making the switch.

Note: If your vehicle is a Hilux, Amarok or Prado 150, check out our vehicle specific guides on the largest legal tyre size for your ride.