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The 195 and 205 tires are used in many compact cars and SUVs. If you have a 195 factory-fitted tire, you may think, can I use 205 tires instead of 195? There are many reasons to use larger tires, and one of the primary reasons is to improve the car and SUV’s appearance.
The 195 and 205 tires come in different aspect ratios and rim sizes. Therefore all the tires are not matched your vehicle. So you have to choose the correct rim and aspect ratio.
In this post, I’ll discuss the 195 vs 205 tires specifications. Can I use 205 tires instead of 195 without changing the rim and much more?
In This Article:
Difference between 195 and 205 tires.
The main difference between 195 and 205 tires is the width, which is 195mm ( 7.7 inches) and 205 mm (8.1 inches), respectively. These two tires have a 10 mm (0.4inches) width difference. As the tire width changes, its diameter, sidewall, and circumference change slightly. These changes slightly change the car’s fuel consumption, comfort, braking distance, traction, speedometer speed, and actual speed. You can use our Tire size calculator to check the difference.
Parameter | 195 mm Tire. | 205 mm Tire. |
---|---|---|
Aquaplaning | Less prone to aquaplaning. | High tendency towards aquaplaning. |
Grip | Better grip in wet and snow conditions. | Better grip in dry conditions. |
Braking distance | Longer braking distance. | Shorter braking distance. |
Fuel Economy | Slightly better fuel economy. | Slightly lower fuel economy. |
Compatible rim | Ideal size 7.5-inch. But fit 5.5 to 7-inch wide alloys. | Fit 6 to 7.5-inch wide alloys. |
Noise | Less noise. | More noise. |
Price | Relatively cheaper. | More expensive. |
Can I use 205 tires instead of 195?
Yes, you can use 205 tires instead of 195 if you have 6.5 Inch width rim (this is the optimum rim size to interchange these two sizes). Also, these two tire sizes can fit rim sizes from 6.0 inches to 7.0 inches wide. You must lower the aspect ratio without changing the rim when increasing the tire size. Ensure that the new tires’ load and speed indexes equal or exceed the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended level.
Wider tires have wider contact patches. Therefore 205 has better braking distance, wet handling performance, better grip, traction, and shorter revolutions per mile. However, wider contact patch tires it has slightly higher fuel consumption, slower acceleration, speedometer error (which can correct), and slightly increased wearing. 195 front and rear 205 is an excellent choice for staged tire arrangement. (True stagged arrangement rim size should change)
Click the following button to use our free tire size calculator to check tire diameter, width, sidewall, circumference, and revolutions per mile.
Can I use 195 tires instead of 205
Yes, you can use 195 tires instead of 205 if you have a 6.5-inch width rim (this is the optimum rim size for interchange 195 to 205). However, we can further fit it to a wide range of rims from 6.0 to 7.0 inches wide. Ensure the new tires meet or exceed your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended load and speed ratings.
Narrower SUVs and car tires have a taller contact patch. Therefore 195 tires have longer braking distance, better dry handling, better fuel consumption, faster acceleration, and lower tire wearing. You can use 195 front, and 205 wider tires rear for better performance. Lower the aspect ratio to match the rim size when using a staged arrangement (actual stagged arrangement rim size should change).

What are the advantages of 205 tires?
- Better traction in dry conditions.
- Better handling.
- Better appearance.
- Shorter braking distance
- Better acceleration.
- Lower revolutions per mile.
What are the advantages of 195 tires?
- Better traction in dry conditions.
- Better fuel economy.
- Less noise.
- Relatively cheaper.
What size rim for 205 tires?
The ideal rim sizes for the 205 tires are 6.5 or 7 inches wide rims, and this is the optimum width range. However, 205 tires can fit 6-inch to 7.5-wider rims. When you put different tire sizes on the same rim, you must ensure your new tire fits correctly. If the rim is too wide, air can escape; If the rim is too narrow, the sidewall tends to distort unnecessarily.
What size rim for 195 tires?
Ideal rim sizes for the 195 tires are 6-inch and 6.5-inch wide rims. However, you can fit 195 tires for 5.5 to 7 inches wider rims, but if the rim is too narrow, the sidewall tends to distort unnecessarily. The rim is too wide; the air can easily escape.
Can I use 205/55R16 instead of 195/55R16?
Yes, You can use 205/55R16 instead of 195/55R16. These two sizes’ diameter difference is 11 mm, which is 2%, and the clearance change is 6 mm. When using wider tires, it has a wider contact patch, improving the tire’s wet driving performance, grip, traction, and more attractive look.
What is the difference between 205/55R16 instead of 195/55R16?
Parameter | 195/65R16 | 205/65R16 | Difference |
---|---|---|---|
Overall diameter | 621 mm | 632 mm | +11 mm (+2%) |
Section width | 195 mm | 205 mm | +10 mm (+5%) |
Circumference | 1,951 mm | 1,985 mm | +35 mm (+2%) |
Sidewall height | 107 mm | 113 mm | +5 mm (+5%) |
Revs per mile | 825.04 | 810.68 | 2.05% |
Radius/Ground Clearance | 310 mm | 316 mm | +6 mm (+1.8%) |
Actual Speed | 60 | 61.06 | Actual speed 1.06 MPH higher than the speedometer |
Can I use 205/65R15 instead of 195/65R15?
Yes. You can use 205/65R15 instead of 195/65R15. These two tires’ diameters are 648 mm and 635 mm, respectively, and the difference is 13 mm (-2%). The 205 tires are wider and have wider contact patches. So per inch pressure is low. Therefore wider tires have better-wet driving performance, grip, traction, and shorter revolutions per mile.
What is the difference between 205/65R16 instead of 195/65R16?
Parameter | 195/65R15 | 205/65R15 | Difference |
---|---|---|---|
Overall diameter | 635 mm | 648 mm | +13 mm (+2%) |
Section width | 195 mm | 205 mm | +10 mm (+5%) |
Circumference | 1,993 mm | 2,034 mm | +41 mm (+2%) |
Sidewall height | 127 mm | 133 mm | +6 mm (+5%) |
Revs per mile | 807.36 | 791.15 | 2.05% |
Radius/Ground Clearance | 317mm | 324 mm | +7 mm (+2.1%) |
Actual Speed | 60 | 61.23 | Actual speed 1.23 MPH higher than the speedometer |
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