When you think about tires, you might believe that there is not a lot to them. They go on your car or RV or truck or ATV and they serve a single purpose: stay strong and keep you where you need to go.
But the truth is that there are many different types of tires and each one serves a different purpose and has many special characteristics and features. What might be right for one car or vehicle might not be right for another.
Two of the most popular tires out there are 265 and 275 tires. On the surface, the difference between these two tires would be the overall size. The 265 is just a little bit smaller than the 275.
But there are more differences between these two tires than just that. In fact, when you dig into these different versions of tires, you will see all the things that separate them and set them apart.
When you do that, it’ll be much easier for you to know which is right for the car or ride that you are using. So, what sets the 265 and 275 apart and which one is right for your vehicle?
265 Tires vs 275 Tires
Which Is Wider?
The 275 tire is wider than the 265, as you would expect by the larger number. However, the difference between the two isn’t as big as you’d think. There is only about a .4 inch difference between the 275 and the 265.
Why does this difference even matter?
Since the difference isn’t that big, it will not affect the mileage of your car that much. It will be something to keep in mind when you are thinking of the weather environments you are driving in.
Thicker tires will hydroplane a bit easier if you are going through wet conditions and thinner tires are more ideal for wet and watery roads that are filled with puddles.
Generally, fatter or thicker tires have less traction on most surfaces. Meanwhile, thinner tires like the 265 are better for most other types of road, especially those that are very wet or composed of sand or clay.
Are They Built Differently?
At the end of the day, there is really no difference when it comes to how these tires are constructed.
Plus, you can use the same rims for either 275 or 265 tires. And you should usually use a 17 or 18 rim size no matter which tire you choose.
Can You Use a 275 Tire on a 265 Rim?
Here’s some good news: yes, both of these types of tires will work on the same tire, so you can use a 275 tire on a 265 rim.
When you are looking at your tire and the rims you have, you need to pay attention to a key number on your tire. The last two digits on the number that identifies your tire will tell you a lot. If it ends with a 17 it is indicating the rim size that your tie can fit on.
Is One More Expensive Than The Other?
The truth is that 275 tires are larger and their price point is too.
Generally, the 275 is always more expensive than a 265 tire. That makes sense because, while they are made from the same materials, they are made from more of them, which makes them more expensive to cost and, therefore, pricier when on the market.
What Does The Number Mean?
You may be asking yourself why these tires are called 265 and 275. What does that number indicate? What does it mean?
It’s pretty straightforward. The 265 means 265mm wide. Therefore, a 275 is 275mm wide.
What Is The Height Of Each Tire?
There actually is a difference between the two tires’ heights. The 275 is a bit bigger out of the two tires, measuring about 31.1 inches while the 265 is right behind it with 30.6 inches.
Because the 275 is larger and taller, that means that you will get fewer revolutions per mile when you are driving. Why does this matter? It means that, in the long run, the tires will last longer before you need to replace them.
They get used less because they employ fewer revolutions. So if you are looking for a tire that will go longer and will not be replaced as often, you are looking for a 275.
While the tires are different in size and in height, they are not that different when it comes to performance. The speed of your car could be impacted but both of these tires, when healthy and strong, can help your car reach new high speeds.
Can You Replace a 275 with a 265?
Yes, you most certainly can replace your 275 tires with 265s as long as you make sure that every tire on your car is being replaced at the same time.
Think about it, you cannot have one tire that is even a slightly different size than the others with it. This will cause your care to not drive straight and correctly and could lead to a loss of control of the car.
If you are driving with a spare tire and cannot change all tires at the same time, you need to ensure that you drive carefully, slowly, and replace all the other tires at the first possible chance.
| TIRE | 265 | 275 |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 10.43 | 10.83 |
| Diameter | 17 | 17 |
| Overall diameter | 31.60 | 32.16 |
| Height | 7.30 | 7.58 |
| Radius | 99.27 | 101.03 |
| Revolutions per min | 638.23 | 627.12 |
At the end of the day, both 275 and 265 tires are very similar but they are not the exact same.
However, their similarities are quite strong where they matter most and, if you need to, you can replace one with the other. If you are looking for a bigger, wider, taller tire, you are looking for the 275.
But if you are looking for a tire that will be a steadier ride and safer in all sorts of weather conditions, the 265 is right for you.