265/65R17 Vs 265/70R17 Tire Size: What’s The Difference?

Do you know what a tire size index is? The tire size index is a combination of numbers and letters indicating various aspects of the tire. If you are familiar with the tire size index, you can get an idea of this data just by looking at the sidewall. 

If you are not related to the term, reading this article will help you understand the meaning of it and how you find out the aspects related to tire size. But how can an article on the difference between 265/65R17 and 265/70R17 help you?

The answer is we are going to represent the comparison between 265/65R17 and 265/70R17 in an innovative way so that you can understand the whole picture.      

265/65R17 vs 265/70R17: 4 Biggest Differences You Need to Know

In case you don’t know, the 265 70R17 tire is the updated version of the 265 65R17 tires if you consider the aspect ratio along with a few things.

Before going any further, you should know the tire size index usually consists of 4 parts. For example, if we partition the tire size index 265 65R17, we will get – 

• 265 stands for – Tire width in meters
• 65 stands for – The aspect ratio of height/width
• R stands for – Construction type
• 17 stands for – Rim diameter in inches

As a result, we have decided to break down this comparison into 4 parts. So, let’s get started.

Width

When we analyze the first digits of both 265/65R17 and 265/70R17, we find the same number 265. It means, there is no difference in the width of the tires. Since the tire width is measured in millimeters, we can say – both tires are 265 millimeters wide.

The width of the tire is measured from one sidewall to another. It is usually done by the manufacturers. So, these measurements are very accurate. Since the width is the same for both 265/65R17 and 265/70R17, you can install any one of these if you are not bothered with the other aspects of the tire. And if that is not the case, then you need to read further.     

Aspect Ratio

We can find a significant change after comparing 265/65R17 and 265/70R17 in terms of aspect ratio. Aspect ratio is the second number of the tire size index. With that being said, the tire format 265/65R17 has an aspect ratio of 65 and the other one has an aspect ratio of 70. So, the aspect ratio of these tires differs by 5.

In the tire industry, the aspect ratio is distributed in percent. Hence, a tire having an aspect ratio of 65 indicates the height of the tire is 65% of the width. Typically, the vertical cross-section of the tire is divided by the width to calculate the aspect ratio. A change in this simple proportion has a major effect on the compatibility of the tire.  

Construction Type

The construction type of a tire can be determined by looking at the letter, which is located after the aspect ratio number. Usually, there can be seen 2 types of letters on the sidewalls of tires. These are –

• R – Indicates the tire is a radial type
• B – Indicates the tire is a bias ply (aka cross ply) type  

Here we can see, the letter ‘R’ is marked on the sidewalls of both 265/65R17 and 265/70R17. Therefore, both are radial type tires. Here ‘R’ stands for “Radial Construction”, representing the radial type. Hence, there is no difference in the construction of these two tires.

With square footprints, the radial type tires have sophisticated constructions. The tire cords of such tires extend from one bead to another bead at a 90 degree angle. While radial type tires may not be the best options for off roads, they deliver high grip to the road.      

Rim Diameter

The rim diameter is the wide opening of the tire where the rim adjusts. It is usually expressed in inches and is measured in the same direction from one open bead to the other. When considering the rim diameter of 265/65R17 and 265/70R17, we can see that both tires have the same rim diameter of 17 inches.

As there is no difference in the rim diameter of these tires, any one of them would easily adjust a 17-inch rim. If other concerns don’t bother you aside from rim diameter, you can comfortably switch 265/65R17 size tires with 265/70R17.  

Tire Size 265/65R17 vs 265/70R17 – A Detailed Comparison Table to Wrap Up

Okay! Now it’s time to wrap things up with a comparison table showing 265/65R17 vs 265/70R17. If you are short on time, this in-depth table will help you to have a quick outlook.

The 265 65R17 vs 265 70R17 comparison table shows there is a change in the ground clearance of 0.5 inches. It also shows the diameter changes to 3.4%. As a result, having a pair of 265 65R17 tires while the other pair is 265 70R17, can lead to a significant danger. 

The following 2 pictures will show a comparison of  265/65R17 and 265/70R17 from front and side.

Overall Verdict

There you have it! You know the difference between 265/65R17 and 265/70R17. Along with explaining the comparison in every possible way, we have given you an idea of ​​the important aspects of tire size.

So you better know what will happen if there is a slight change in the shape of the tire. Also, you are now confident enough to choose the right size tire for your car. Thank you for being with us, we will see you at the next one.

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