In this article, we will conduct an in-depth comparison of 225 vs. 245 vs. 265 tires, analyzing their features and determining which one excels in various aspects.
So let’s get started.
225 vs. 245 vs. 265 Tires: What Are The Differences?
Below we have provided you with a table that shows the strengths and weaknesses of the tires in comparison. Let’s have a quick look before moving on to the detailed comparison.
Tire Height
As a vehicle owner, you know a little of the perks of higher tires. Among the three tires in comparison, the 265 is the highest. Thanks to its height, it has a higher ground clearance. A higher ground clearance allows you to navigate easily on uneven terrain.
Following closely is the 245 tire. With a 30mm less difference in diameter than the 265, this tire outplays the 225 in tire height. While the 225 tire is a high tire itself, for this comparison, it takes last place.
Tire Width
With an increase in tire height comes an increase in its width. With a broader contact area, the 265 tire is the widest of the three. This broad contact area allows for more sipes (grooves), making it better for wet roads.
The difference in tire width between the 265 and 245 is 20mm, making the 245 a close contender for the widest tire. Featuring a higher contact pressure per square inch, the 245 can quickly move through puddles than the 225, which has the least tire width.
Sidewall Height
Once more, the 265 outplays its competitors with a sidewall height of 198.75mm. When compared to the 245, there is an 8.2% difference in sidewall height. A higher sidewall reduces cornering stiffness, making it easier to take corners without losing traction.
Coming at last place is the 225 tire. With a sidewall height less than both the 245 and 265, it does not hold up in this comparison.
Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance refers to your tire’s ability to reduce the energy lost while moving. This decreases the rolling effort required and helps economize fuel. That being said, the tire with the highest rolling resistance is the 265 tire.
However, for this comparison, higher isn’t better. The 225 tire takes the win with the best rolling resistance. Why? This is because a lower resistance tire helps conserve energy, thus, saving fuel. Higher resistance tires like the 245 and 265 requires more propelling power to get going implying that they will need more energy and burn more fuel.
Carload
A larger tire will have a higher maximum weight rating. It’s not rocket science. Just the way a bigger built man can carry heavier loads than a smaller man, the same goes for tires. We’ve already established the fact that the 265 tire is the biggest among the three. The 265 can carry the heaviest of loads, followed by the 245 and then the 225.
Following this sequence, it is safe to say that the 225 tire takes last for this comparison as it can carry the lightest weights.
Comfort
When you hear the word “off-road tires,” you picture bigger tires. Unfortunately, these larger tires aren’t designed for their comfort as they are meant for harsh terrains. Smaller tires, on the other hand, are designed with their comfort level being a priority.
With the above statements in mind, we can clearly see that the 225 tire is the most comfortable among the three. This tire offers more flexibility, maneuverability, and smoother rides. Larger tires also increase noise levels which reduces comfort.
Braking Distance
As the phrase “braking distance” suggests, it refers to the distance required for your vehicle to come to a complete stop after hitting the brakes. The more tread you have on the road, the better grip your tires will have.
A bigger tire assists braking. How? When you hit your brakes, it’s natural for your car to take some time before reaching a complete stop because of your speed. However, with a bigger tire, you have more tread, which enables you to resist your vehicle’s forward motion even better. Being the highest and widest among the three tires, the 265 has the shortest braking distance, followed by the 245 with a slightly longer braking distance. The tire with the longest braking distance is the 225 tire.
Grip & Handling
The grip and handling of a tire are something you should not overlook. With more tread/grooves, a tire comes more grip. With more grip, you have better handling.
The lower in tire size you go, the less tread you have. Larger tires such as the 265 will have more complex tread patterns, increasing its grip and handling by large. This implies that the 225 tire has a lesser grip and handling than the 245 and 265 tires. For this comparison, the 265 tire wins as it has the best grip among the three.
Cost
The cost of a tire is another essential factor to consider when getting a tire. While you shouldn’t go for cheap dirt tires of the lowest quality, getting one that isn’t too expensive and of good quality wouldn’t be a bad idea.
The 225 tire is the most affordable among the three. It isn’t too expensive, yet it doesn’t fall short of quality. The most expensive among the three is the 265 tire and with good reason. It takes more resources to make a bigger tire. Sitting between the 225 and 265 in terms of cost is the 245 tire which is also a quality tire. If you are on a budget, the 225 tire is for you as you get a cheaper tire without sacrificing quality.
Are 225 And 245 Tires Interchangeable?
Taking into consideration that both of these tires have the same aspect ratio and rim diameter (225/70R16 and 245/70R16 ), they can be interchanged.
| Specifications | 225/70R16 | 245/70R16 |
| Diameter | 721.4mm | 749.4mm |
| Circumference | 2266.34mm | 2354.31mm |
| Sidewall Height | 157.5mm | 171.5mm |
Can I Replace 225 Tires With 245?
The 245 tire is wider than the 225 tire. That being said, a 225 tire can be replaced with a 245 tire, provided there is enough room. If done correctly, this replacement will increase your vehicle’s ground clearance, grip, and carload.
Can I Replace 245 Tires With 225?
Yes, you can. Replacing bigger tires with smaller ones is a common practice. However, you will be sacrificing a few features of the 245 tire, such as better traction and shorter braking distance.
Are 245 And 265 Tires Interchangeable?
You can interchange the 245 and the 265 tires since the difference is just 10 mm. However, depending on what you interchange, your fuel economy may suffer a little. Keep in mind that the 245 tire has an aspect ratio of 65 while the 265 has 70.
245/75R16 vs 265/75R16
| Specifications | 245/75R16 | 265/75R16 |
| Diameter | 773.9mm | 803.9mm |
| Circumference | 2431.28mm | 2525.53mm |
| Sidewall Height | 183.75mm | 198.75mm |
Can 245 tires fit 265?
Yes, you can. As we mentioned earlier, the difference between the two tires is 10mm. It wouldn’t be problematic to fit a 245 tire in place of a 265 since it wouldn’t protrude past the fenders or hood line.
Can 265 tires fit 245?
Fitting a bigger tire on your vehicle is nothing new; however, it shouldn’t protrude past the fenders or hood line. So long as the 265 tires are not too big for your vehicle, it’ll fit. This will also offer you better ground clearance.
Are 225 And 265 Tires Interchangeable?
The 225 and 265 tires are considerably different in terms of size. There is a 40mm difference between the two tires. However, these tires have the same aspect ratio and rim diameter, implying they can be interchanged.
225/75R16 vs 265/75R16
| Specifications | 225/75R16 | 265/75R16 |
| Diameter | 743.9mm | 803.9mm |
| Circumference | 2337.03mm | 2525.53mm |
| Sidewall Height | 168.75mm | 198.75mm |
Can 225 tires fit 265?
A 225 tire can fit a 265, seeing as they have similar specifications. However, you would be sacrificing the higher ground clearance that the 265 tire offers.
Can 265 tires fit 225?
The 265 tire is 40mm wider than the 225, so you need to be cautious when switching these tires. You can fit a 265 tire to a 225; however, major modifications will have to be done on your vehicle.
Conclusion
Having answered all questions in detail, knowing what tire is best between the three shouldn’t be an issue. You are advised to visit the car repair place if you ever need to switch or interchange tires despite this information.
Read more: 235 vs. 245 vs. 255 Tires: Can They Be Interchangeable?
Read more: 265 vs. 275 vs. 285 Tires: Are They Interchangeable?
