Tire Size 195/65r15 vs 195/60r15

Thinking of switching from 196/65r15 to 195/60r15 tires on your vehicle? This article will explain the impact of changing tire sizes and help you decide if making the switch is right for you.

• Slightly firmer ride and more responsive steering due to shorter sidewall
• Minor improvement in fuel economy due to reduced rolling resistance
• Subtly sportier appearance with fenders sitting higher over the tires
• 0.41 inch reduction in ground clearance for off-road driving
• Potential for increased sidewall damage off-road due to shorter, stiffer sidewall
• Slightly lower gearing resulting in more torque at the wheels off-road

Fitment Guide

The new tires should be within 3% of the original tire’s diameter. In this case, the 195/60r15 is 3.3% smaller than the 196/65r15, slightly exceeding the recommended 3% range.

Switching to this smaller size may require minor modifications to prevent rubbing or clearance issues.

On-Road Impact

Changing tire sizes, even by a small amount, can noticeably affect on-road performance and feel. Here’s what you might experience switching to the shorter 195/60r15:

• Speedometer Accuracy: The 3.3% smaller diameter means the tires will rotate about 27 more times per mile. This will cause your speedometer to read about 3.4% higher than your actual speed. When your speedometer shows 20 mph, you’ll really be going about 19.35 mph.
• Ride Comfort: The shorter sidewall of the 195/60r15 means there is less cushioning between the wheel and the road. This will result in a slightly firmer, bumpier ride. Steering may also feel more responsive due to the stiffer sidewall.
• Gas Mileage: All else being equal, the smaller 195/60r15 should very slightly improve fuel economy since the engine will be turning slightly faster at a given speed. However, the difference will likely be negligible in real-world driving.
• Aesthetics: Going to a shorter sidewall will subtly change the look of your vehicle. The fenders will appear to sit slightly higher over the tires. Some people prefer the sportier look of a shorter tire sidewall.

Off-Road Impact

If you drive your vehicle off-road, there are some other factors to consider when changing tire sizes:

• Ground Clearance: The smaller overall diameter of the 195/60r15 will reduce ground clearance by about 0.41 inches. This is a relatively minor change, but if you frequently drive over large obstacles it could result in more scrapes and impacts to the underside of your vehicle.
• Durability: With a shorter and stiffer sidewall, the 195/60r15 may be somewhat more susceptible to sidewall damage from sharp rocks and impacts when driving off-road at low tire pressures. However, modern tire designs are very resilient so this difference in durability is likely to be minimal.
• Gearing: The smaller tire diameter will effectively make your gearing about 3.4% lower. This means more torque at the wheels, which is usually advantageous for off-road driving. The engine will also rev slightly higher in each gear.

195/65r15 vs 195/60r15 Table

This table highlights the differences between 195/60R15 and 195/65R15 tire sizes in terms of diameter, width, circumference, sidewall height, revolutions per mile, and speedometer reading.

Feature	195/60R15	195/65R15	Difference
Diameter inches (mm)	24.21 (615)	24.98 (634.5)	0.77 (19.5) +3.2%
Width inches (mm)	7.68 (195)	7.68 (195)	0 (0) 0%
Circumference inches (mm)	76.07 (1932.08)	78.48 (1993.34)	2.41 (61.26) +3.2%
Sidewall Height inches (mm)	4.61 (117)	4.99 (126.75)	0.38 (9.75) +8.3%
Revolutions per mile (km)	832.96 (517.58)	807.36 (501.67)	-25.6 (-15.91) -3.1%
Speedo Reading	20 mph	20.63 mph	+0.63 mph

What is the Difference Between 195/65R15 and 195/60R15?

The main difference between 195/65R15 and 195/60R15 tires is their sidewall height and overall diameter.

The 195/60R15 tire has a shorter sidewall by about 0.39 inches (9.75 mm) and an overall diameter that’s approximately 0.98 inches (24.9 mm) smaller than the 195/65R15.

Can I Use 195/60R15 Instead of 195/65R15?

Using 195/60R15 tires instead of 195/65R15 is not recommended. The overall diameter difference is around 3%, which is at the maximum acceptable limit.

Exceeding this can affect vehicle handling, speedometer accuracy, and fuel efficiency. Always consult a professional before changing tire sizes.

How Much Taller Is a 196/65r15 Tire Than a 195/60r15?

A 196/65r15 tire is 0.82 inches (20.8 mm) taller than a 195/60r15 tire. The overall diameter of a 196/65r15 tire is 25.03 inches (635.8 mm), while a 195/60r15 tire has a diameter of 24.21 inches (615 mm).

How Much Wider is a 196/65r15 Tire Than a 195/60r15?

A 196/65r15 tire is 0.04 inches (1 mm) wider than a 195/60r15 tire. The width of a 196/65r15 tire is 7.72 inches (196 mm), whereas a 195/60r15 tire has a width of 7.68 inches (195 mm).

Our Observation

After analyzing the differences between 196/65r15 and 195/60r15 tires, our overall assessment is that switching to the smaller 195/60r15 size should not dramatically impact performance for most drivers. The 3.3% difference in diameter is right on the edge of the generally recommended 3% fitment range.

The smaller tire will add a small amount of understeer and make the ride slightly firmer, but will also marginally improve acceleration and fuel economy. Aesthetically, the shorter sidewall will give the vehicle a subtly more aggressive stance.

For off-road use, the 0.41 inch reduction in ground clearance is not huge but could result in more underbody contact over large obstacles. The shorter, stiffer sidewall may also be a bit more damage-prone. However, the lower effective gearing is a positive for off-road use.

In conclusion, our view is that both on-road and off-road impacts of switching to 195/60r15 are quite minor and unlikely to hugely affect the driving experience for most users.

That said, we would advise that 195/60r15 is on the borderline of acceptable fitment. We recommend checking your vehicle’s specific clearances to ensure sufficient space for this smaller tire size before committing to the change.

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