245 vs 265 Tires: What Is The Difference? | Pros and Cons

When it’s time to change tires, you can choose from different tire sizes under various brands. You have to be more careful when choosing a tire of a different size than the size specified by the vehicle manufacturer. One of the standard tire sizes is 245 and 265. When comparing 245 vs 265 tires, you must consider many technical factors.

When the tire size increases, it affects fuel consumption, control & handling. Using the wrong size can damage the vehicle and cause accidents. When choosing the different tire sizes, you must consider the rim size, new tire diameter, width, sidewall, circumference, and revolutions per mile of any tire.

This article will discuss everything about the 245 vs. 265 tires. Can I replace a 245 tire with a 265 tire? Performance difference 245 and 265 tires and driving comfort.

Can I replace 245 tires with 265?

Yes. You can replace 265 tires with 245. The 265 and 245 tires are interchangeable if you have 9 or 9.5 inches wider rims. The main difference is the width. You must use same-width tires on the same axle to maintain the same rolling radius. Using a different size for the same axle reduces performance and causes long-term problems. But you can use slightly different size tires, front and rear axles, for improving the overall grip, traction, slightly longer braking distance, and steering. The main cons of wider tires are lower fuel economy, more notice, and a high tendency to hydroplane.

What is the difference between 245 and 265 tires?

245 and 265 are the ISO metric tire codes used in the tire manufacturing industry. The main difference between 245 and 265 tires is the width. The 245 tire width is 245 mm (9.6inch), and the 265 tire width is 265 mm (10inch). Therefore the difference between the two tires is 0.8 inches (20 mm). Comparing these two tires, the 265 is wider than the 245 tires.

When the tire size changes, it also slightly changes the diameter, sidewall, and circumference. This size difference affects fuel consumption, driving comfort, traction, price, and actual speed.

The 246 and 265 tires are manufactured same or different aspect ratios and wheel diameters. For example, 245/75-R16, 245/70-R16, 265/75-R16, and 265/70-R16.

The second number after the slash is the tire aspect ratio (profile), and the rim diameter is right after the “R.”

We can categorize 245 vs 265 tire differences based on braking distance, fuel economy, speed difference, wet conditions performance, snow conditions performance, driving comfort, prices, and tire wear. Use our free tire size calculator comparison tool to measure more details.

Click the following button to use our free tire size calculator to check tire diameter, width, sidewall, circumference, and revolutions per mile.

245 vs 265 Tires Comparisons.

Width difference.

The main difference is that 245 and 265 tires are 0.8 inches (20mm) in width. This width difference also slightly changes the aspect ratio and overall wheel diameter.

The tables below show that even if you only change the tire width (245 to 265), the aspect ratio and rim diameter remain the same, but the tire height (overall diameter) and sidewall width (profile) change by a minimal amount.

245/75-16 vs 265/75-16 Tires Measurements.

245/70-16 vs 265/70-16 Tires Measurements.

Fuel Consumption (Rolling resistance and fuel usage).

Rolling resistance and fuel consumption has a close relationship. Wider tires touch a larger surface area and, as a result, increase friction with the surface. This results in a higher rolling resistance than the narrow tire. An engine will have to use more power and fuel to maintain speed in such a situation.

When comparing 245 vs 265 gas mileage, 245 tires have slightly more fuel economy than 265. Because 245 is narrower than the 265 tires.

Speed difference.

Taller tires have more speed than smaller tires. There is a slight diameter difference between 265 tires and 245 tires; because of this diameter difference, the actual running speed is higher than the speedometer.

For example, if the speedometer shows 50mph, the actual speed would be 51.9mph, and at 90mph, the actual speed would be 93.4mph.

Speed difference when replacing the 265 / 70 R16 tire for the 245 / 70 R16.

Wet condition driving.

265 tire is wider than 245. Wide tires are better for wet weather driving because they have more grip and help trap and remove water from the contact surface. Narrow tires also have a better grip but a smaller surface area, so they perform less.

Snow driving traction.

Narrow tires put more pressure per square inch of the surface than wide tires. This higher pressure improves the tire traction on snow.
When comparing 245 vs 265 in snow conditions, 245 is narrower, which means 245 tires are better in snow-driving conditions.

Driving comfort.

Driving comfort depends on the air on the tire, and there is better driving comfort on bad roads with a higher tire profile. The second number in the tire code is the aspect ratio in percentage, and the bigger the tire aspect ratio, the higher the tire profile (if the aspect ratio does not change).

When you change the tire from 245 to 265 or vice versa, it changes the tire profile. This means the 265 tires have a higher driving comfort than the 245 (Other aspects being equal, for example, a “265 / 70 R16” replacement for the “245 / 70 R16” tire).

Price.

When comparing 245 vs. 265 prices, wider tires are more expensive. This is one of the most critical factors when replacing car tires, and price variation is not the quality difference.

Wearing.

Tire wearing depends on friction, material, composition, and technology. More friction, more wearing. However, if we consider all other conditions are constant, 245 wider tires put more weight on squire inch than 265 tires, and therefore 245 tires can wear faster than 265.

245 has a narrow contact patch that puts more pressure on the surface than the wheels 265. This high pressure generates more heat and causes the tires to wear.

Pros and cons of 245 tires vs 265 tires.

This is a relative comparison between the 245 and 265 tires. We can summarize the pros and cons of these two tires as follows.

Conclusion.

We can replace 245 tires with 265 tires. The only significant difference is 20mm in width; however, the overall diameter and circumference change slightly. You have to use the exact size tire for a single axle. When using wider tires reduces fuel economy.

Car manufacturers recommend tires based on car weight, chassis, suspension, etc. Therefore always use the car manufacturer’s recommended size range. You can further read my wider and narrow tire posts for more details.