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Tires & Wheels

225 vs 265 Tires: What’s Better for Your Car?

225 vs 265 Tires
Last Updated on Aug 16, 2023 By Lillian Kazmierczak

When it comes to replacing or upgrading your car tire, finding the right one can be confusing. If you’re wondering about the differences between 225 and 265 tires, we’re here to help.

Both tire types differ primarily in size; external dimensions, wheel clearance, and sidewall thickness are among the other differences.

Let’s dig deeper and see how the two are fundamentally different.

225 tires: Pros & cons

225 tires Pros and cons

Pros

  • Maintain an exceptional grip while going less distance
  • A slightly better overall quality than the 265
  • Much more grippy and traction-efficient all-weather tires
  • Work beautifully on icy, dry, wet, and other surfaces
  • Stability and durability
  • The ability to reduce noise
  • Tread grooves that wrap around to prevent hydroplaning
  • limited warranty up to 65,000 miles

Cons

  • Quality is not as good
  • Too narrow

265 tires: Pros & cons

265 tires Pros and cons

Pros

  • Interlocking shoulders help prevent wear due to high torque and provide added stability
  • Increased traction in wet and dry conditions
  • Improved cornering and turning grip
  • More attractive designs
  • Gravel and debris can’t do any damage

Cons

  • The ‘P’ designation means they are designed primarily for passenger transport

225 vs 265 Tires: How Do They Differ?

what's the difference between 225 and 265 tires

1. Tire Width

225 tires

These have a width size of 225mm

265 tire

The tire width size is 265mm

Winner

The 265 tire has a bigger tire width that allows for more grip on the road, adding more safety to your drive as a result.

2. Rim Diameter

225 tires

8.5 inches rim diameter

265 tires

10.5 inches rim diameter

Winner

The 265 tires have a bigger diameter at 10.5 inches. Wheels with a bigger diameter contribute to better handling and cornering.

3. Sidewall height

225 tires

The sidewall height on these tires is 157.5 mm

265 tires

The sidewall height measurement is 198.12 mm

Winner

When these two are compared, the 265 tire has the bigger sidewall height. Having more sidewall height means there is more cushion between the road and your vehicle.

4. Grip

225 tires

The 225 has a lesser grip and handling due to the smaller size.

265 tires

The 265 makes turns and corners easier with enhanced grip with improved traction on both dry and wet roads.

Winner

It is evident that the 265 provides the best grip of the two in this comparison.

5. Carload

 225 tires

A 225/70R19 tires can carry 3,970 lbs at air pressures of 110 psi in a single position.

265 tires

The load capacity of a 265/75R16 10ply tire is 3,085 pounds at 80 psi.

Winner

It is safe to conclude from this sequence that the 265 tire is the least suitable for this comparison since it carries the heaviest load.

6. Comfort

225 tires

The narrower the tire, the less grip it has, and the more prone it is to get stuck in bumps, dips, and cracks on the road.

265 tires

Wider tires are a better choice than narrow tires since you can have more grip and are less likely to feel the damage from small holes.

Winner

The narrower one becomes softer than the wide one and brings driving comfort.

7. Braking Distance

225 tires

These tires take longer to stop, which can be dangerous.

265 tires

Shorter stopping distance for improved safety

Winner

The 265 is the safest tire to use as it has the shortest stopping distance, making it safer during an accident or a close call.

8. Price

225 tires

A 225-size tire is the least expensive of the two. The price isn’t too high, but the quality is not lacking.

265 tires

The 225 tire is the most affordable among the three. It isn’t too expensive, yet it doesn’t fall short of quality.

Winner

If you’re on a budget, then go for the 225 tires. They are cheaper but still have decent quality.

Are 225 and 265 tires Interchangeable?

There is a significant size difference between the 225 and the 265 tires. The difference is about 40mm. Although these tires have different aspect ratios and rim sizes, they can still be interchanged since they have the same dimensions.

FAQs

1. Can 265 tires fit 225?

Ans. The tread section width of the 265 tires is 40 millimeters wider than the 225 tires. Yes, they can as they have the same dimensions.

2. How Much Bigger Is A 265 Tire Than A 225?

Ans. There is a 40 mm difference in tire width between the 225 and the 265. The tire’s diameter must be the same as another tire of the same size, so be careful

About the author

Lillian Kazmierczak

As far as I can remember, I would say I have been a car nut for my whole life. My father was a car dealer who used to change and repair his cars himself. This gave me the opportunity to get around all sorts of cars and get my hands dirty repairing vehicles from an early age.

A great fan of Japanese quality and German preciosity, my deep passion lies in older models that I believe have a flair that takes me back to my childhood! I also love their extraordinary durability and reliability when compared to today’s modern models.

When not out taking a ride, I enjoy socializing with fellow motorheads online and consuming any car facts and figures I can get my mind on!

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