Will changing from 255 tires to 265 have any impact?
2 Answers
There will be an impact. Since the diameter change rate between 265 tires and 255 tires exceeds 2%, it will affect the vehicle's stability and safety. Below is an introduction to the meaning of tire specification numbers: 1. Tire width: The wider the tire, the larger the contact area with the ground, which increases friction between the tire and the ground. This not only enhances wet grip performance but also improves drainage, thereby increasing driving safety in rainy conditions. 2. Aspect ratio: The aspect ratio is the percentage of the tire's cross-section height divided by its width. A higher value means a thicker tire, which reduces mobility but increases comfort. Generally, regular sedans should not use tires with an aspect ratio greater than 75%, while luxury cars and high-performance sports cars are recommended to use tires with an aspect ratio below 60%. 3. Letters R and H: In tire specifications, you may notice two letters besides the numbers. R represents the tire type, while H indicates the speed rating, which denotes the maximum speed the tire can sustain under specified conditions with a given load.
I've also changed tires before when driving, and the most noticeable change after switching from 255 to 265 was a slight increase in fuel consumption. I had previously recorded it, and it burned about half a liter more per 100 kilometers in the city, which was even more noticeable on long-distance trips. In terms of handling, it felt more stable, especially at high speeds where it was less prone to drifting, but I needed to turn the steering wheel a bit more when cornering. With the tires 10 millimeters wider, the grip improved, making rough roads feel more secure. However, you need to check the body clearance—tires that are too wide might rub against the wheel arches or liners. I almost had an issue with that back then. Also, make sure the wheel size matches properly. If the diameter hasn’t changed, the speedometer should still be accurate; otherwise, you’ll need to recalibrate it to avoid significant errors—safety first, after all. Overall, if you're not pursuing high performance, the impact on daily driving isn’t huge, but maintenance costs will go up. I recommend measuring the dimensions carefully before changing or getting a professional shop to test compatibility—don’t skimp on small expenses and end up with big troubles.
