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When upgrading your vehicle’s tires, you may wonder if you can put larger tires on your existing rims. Specifically, you may be curious if it’s possible to change 175-width tires to 185 without changing the rim. While it may seem like a straightforward answer, there are several factors to consider before making any modifications.
Changing your tire size can affect your vehicle’s handling, braking, and fuel efficiency. Moreover, you must consider the rim width and height when replacing different size tires.
This article will discuss the relationship between tire and rim sizes. Can I put 175 tires on 185 rims? Comparisons of 175 tires vs 185 tires.
In This Article:
175 Tires Specifications.
The 175 of the tire is the width from sidewall to sidewall in millimeters. Different tires are available in various aspect ratios, diameters, weights, and speed ratings, and therefore we can find different sizes for 175 tires on the market.
The aspect ratio affects handling and ride comfort, while the load index indicates the maximum weight the tire can support, and the speed rating indicates the maximum speed the tire can handle.
185 Tires Specifications.
The 185 number of the tire is the width from sidewall to sidewall in millimeters. These size tires are available in different aspect ratios, diameters, load indexes, and speed ratings, and these specifications are crucial in determining a tire’s performance and safety.
Can I Use 185 Tires Instead Of 175 Tires?
Yes. You can use 185 tires instead of 175 without changing the rim if you have a 5.5 or 6 inches wider rim. If your vehicle’s factory-fitted tire is 175, your new 185 tire aspect ratio should change to meet the overall diameter difference below 3%. More than a 3% overall diameter difference is considered dangerous.
The 185 tire has many benefits like a wider contact patch, better braking distance and grip, a sporty look,
Can I Use 175 Tires Instead Of 185 Tires?
Yes. You can use 175 tires instead of 185 tires if you have 5.5 and 6 inches wider rims. These two tire sizes are safely interchangeable. However, the aspect ratio of new tires should change to match the stock tire heights. For instance, if your old tires are 185/65R15, the new tires should be 175/70R16. This will maintain the overall diameter difference below 3%. The 175 is a broader tire compared with the 185.
Different Between 175 Vs 185 Tires.
The primary distinction between 175 and 185 tires is their width. The width difference between these two tires is 10 millimeters. The 185 is wider than the 175, and the wider tire has a larger contact patch than narrow tires.
A larger contact patch provides better grip, handling, stability, and braking. However, a wider tire can be more expensive, have higher rolling resistance, and be more prone to hydroplaning on wet roads. Also, decrease fuel efficiency, and generate more noise. Smaller contact patch reduces rolling resistance and increases fuel efficiency, but they may lead to reduced traction and braking performance. These are the wider tires vs narrow tires pros and cons.
Click the following button to use our free tire size calculator to check tire diameter, width, sidewall, circumference, and revolutions per mile.
The 185 tires typically have lower fuel efficiency than the 175 tires due to their wider section width, which increases rolling resistance and air resistance.
Low-profile tires may compromise ride comfort due to increased stiffness and decreased sidewall height. High-profile tires may provide better ride comfort due to increased sidewall height and more flexible construction. 185 has a larger sidewall than 175, giving better comfort, but this is subject to the aspect ratio.
The 175 tires may provide a more aggressive and sporty appearance, but this is subjective, and the 185 tires may provide a more sleek and elegant appearance,
| Aspect | 175 Tires | 185 Tires |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 175mm | 185mm |
| Contact Patch | Smaller. This will help to improve gas milage. | Larger. This will improve grip |
| Handling | May offer less grip and handling | Better grip and handling |
| Fuel efficiency | May have better fuel efficiency | May have lower fuel efficiency due to increased rolling resistance |
| Ride comfort | May offer a smoother ride. Narrow tires can absorb more shocks. | May provide a less comfortable ride due to larger contact patch with the road |
| Noise | Less Noise. Narrow tires generate less noise. | More noise. Wider tires generate more noise. |
| Appearance | More sleek and elegant appearance | Aggressive and sporty appearance |
| Price | Typically less expensive | Typically more expensive |
Can I Use 175 tires front and 185 Rear?
Yes. You can use 175 tires front and 185 tires rear—this staggered tire setup. When using narrow tires in front and wider tires rear axle improves performance and handling and provides an aggressive and sporty appearance. However, it requires a rear-wheel-driving vehicle to use a staggered tire setup.
FAQ.
185/60R15 vs 175/65R15.
The difference between 185/60R15 and 175/65R15 tires is the width and aspect ratio. Due to these differences, overall diameter, section width, circumference, sidewall height, and Revs per mile change. 185/60R15 and 175/65R15 are not interchangeable. You can see a summary of the differences between these two tires in the table below.
| Parameter | 185/60R15 | 175/65R15 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter: | 603 mm | 609 mm | +5.5 mm (+0.9%) |
| Section width | 185 mm | 175 mm | -10 mm (-5.4%) |
| Circumference | 1,894 mm | 1,912 mm | +17.3 mm (+0.9%) |
| Sidewall height | 111 mm | 114 mm | +2.8 mm (+2.5%) |
| Revs per mile: | 849.5 | 841.9 | -7.7 (-0.9%) |
| Ground Clearance | 301.5 mm | 304.3 mm | +2.8 mm (+0.9%) |
185/55R16 vs 175/50R16.
The difference between 185/55R16 and 175/50R16 is the width and aspect ratio. The first number (185 or 175) indicates the tire’s width in millimeters. The second number (55 or 50) is the aspect ratio, which is the height of the tire’s sidewall as a percentage of its width. The last number (16) is the diameter of the wheel in inches.
These two tires’ overall diameter difference is below 3%. Therefore 185/55R16 and 175/50R16 tires are interchangeable. You can see a summary of the differences between these two tires in the table below.
| Parameter | 185/55R16 | 175/50R16 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter: | 610 mm | 581 mm | -29 mm (-5%) |
| Section width | 185 mm | 175 mm | -10 mm (-5%) |
| Circumference | 1916 mm | 1827 mm | -90 mm (-5%) |
| Sidewall height | 102 mm | 88 mm | -14 mm (-14%) |
| Revs per mile: | 839.9 | 881.1 | +41.2 (+4.9%) |
| Ground clearance | 304.9mm | 290.7 mm | -14 mm (-5%) |
185/65R15 vs 175/55R16.
The 185/65R15 is a narrow tire, and the 175/55R16 is a wider tire. These two tires’ width difference is 15mm. The 185/65R15 tires’ rim size is 15, and the 175/55R16 tires rim size is 16. These tires’ overall diameter difference is 10.4mm (1.7%). Therefore 185/65R15 and 175/55R16 are interchangeable. Below the table, you can see these two wheels’ differences.
| Parameter | 185/65R15 | 175/65R15 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter: | 622 mm | 609 mm | -13 mm (-2%) |
| Section width | 185 mm | 175 mm | -10 mm (-5.4%) |
| Circumference | 1952 mm | 1912 mm | -41 mm (-2%) |
| Sidewall height | 120 mm | 114 mm | -6 mm (-5%) |
| Revs per mile: | 824.2 | 841.9 | +17.6 (+2.1%) |
| Ground Clearance | 310.8mm | 304.3mm | -6.5mm (-2.1%) |
Difference Between 175/70R14 And 185/65R14.
The difference between these two tires lies in their width, aspect ratio, and overall diameter. These two tires are interchangeable.
Width: The 185/65R14 is wider than the 175/70R14 by 10 mm.
Aspect Ratio: The 175/70R14 has a higher aspect ratio than the 185/65R14, meaning its sidewall is taller than the 185/65R14.
Overall Diameter: The 185/65R14 has a smaller overall diameter than the 175/70R14, which means that the 175/70R14 will have a slightly higher ground clearance and a somewhat larger circumference, resulting in a slightly higher speedometer reading compared to the actual speed.
Handling and Performance: Due to its wider footprint, the 185/65R14 tire will offer slightly better handling and steering response. The 175/70R14 will provide a more comfortable ride due to its taller sidewall.
| Parameter | 175/70R14 | 185/65R14 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter: | 601 mm | 596 mm | -5 mm (-1%) |
| Section width | 175 mm | 185 mm | +10 mm (+6%) |
| Circumference | 1887 mm | 1873 mm | -14 mm (-1%) |
| Sidewall height | 123 mm | 120 mm | -2 mm (-2%) |
| Revs per mile: | 852.9 | 859.4 | +6.4 (+0.8%) |
| Ground Clearance | 300.3 mm | 298.1 mm | -2.2 mm(-0.7%) |
Difference Between 175/65 R15 And 185/60 R15.
The following points summarize the difference between 175/65 R15 And 185/60 R15.
Width: The 185/60R15 is wider than the 175/65R15 by 10 mm.
Aspect Ratio: The 175/65R15 has a higher aspect ratio than the 185/60R15, meaning its sidewall is taller than the 185/60R15. So it gives better comfort.
Overall Diameter: The 185/65R14 tire’s overall diameter is smaller than the 175/65R15 tire. Due to this diameter difference, the 185/65R14 has slightly higher ground clearance and circumference. Therefore, the speedometer of the 175/65R15 would display a higher reading than the actual speed.
Handling and Performance: The 185/65R14 tire offers slightly better handling and steering response because of its wider contact patch. The 175/70R14 will provide a more comfortable ride due to its taller sidewall.
| Parameter | 175/65 R15 | 185/60 R15 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter: | 609 mm | 603 mm | -6 mm (-1%) |
| Section width | 175 mm | 185 mm | +10 mm (+6%) |
| Circumference | 1912 mm | 1894 mm | -17 mm (-1%) |
| Sidewall height | 114 mm | 111 mm | -3 mm (-2%) |
| Revs per km: | 523 | 528 | +5 (+1%) |
| Ground Clearance | 304.3 mm | 301.5 mm | 2.8 mm (-0.9%) |
Can I Use 185/65R15 Instead Of 175/65R15?
Yes. You can use 185/65R15 Instead Of 175/65R15. The 185/65R15 tire’s overall diameter is smaller than the 175/65R15 tire, and therefore 185/65R15 tire has slightly higher ground clearance and circumference. Hence, the speedometer of the 175/65R15 tire would display a slightly lower reading than the actual speed.
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