Without tires, civilization is sure to roll to a jarring stop. That is how important tires are.
All tires are black, striped, with these strange numbers on the sidewalls. It would interest you know to there’s a difference between them.
Tires have distinct features that set them apart, from the ones that only fit on passenger cars to those that fit only on trucks.
Tire manufacturers stencil numbers and letters on the sides of tires. Each of these numbers and letters tell the buyer what type of car or truck the tire is suitable for, the load range, speed range, and the type of construction in the tire itself.
A truckload of information on one tire, you might say. And so it should be since a lot is riding on the quality and suitability of the tire you have under your automobile.
So you are at the depot with your car and you are at a loss as to the specification for your car, about to invest in tires.
Likely, you know already that you can’t just slap just any type of tire on.
If you have no clue, it is best to consult with the seller, he has experience. However, let us consider two of the common sizes of tires you can find in the stores. The tire sizes are 255 and 265.
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255 Vs 265 Tires
The numbers 255 and 265 determine the tire you need.
255 and 265 tires are suitable for utility cars; the ones the wife drives to the grocery store, or to work, to drop the kids off at school.
They usually fit on rims with 7.5 inches width, and their revolution per mile is about 566. Their speed is rated at 81 miles per hour. Their construction is radial, the importance of which we will consider shortly.
265 tires are wider than 255 tires. These two tires may look alike from a distance.
Do not mix them on your car though because the wider the tire, the higher the sidewall would be causing the car’s balance to go out of whack.
However, 265 tires are light truck tires, they look great on bigger SUVs and light trucks. It’s every user’s choice really, you decided what suits you, the bigger the tire, the more it takes from your pocket.
The important thing point to know when choosing a tire for your vehicle is the wheel size on your vehicle and how much load the particular tire is designed to carry.
The rest is fluff. Of course, there are tires meant to be on trucks.
Similarities between the 255 and 265 tires
- Constructed similarly
- Both are large tires
- More gas consumption
Constructed similarly
Let us begin with their construction; both tires are radial. What does this mean for the tires?
The reinforced steel in the tires is assembled parallel to each other but in a 90 degrees position in relation to the circumferential centerline of the tire.
This creates a balance when a load is placed on the tires. It enjoys flexibility which enables the tire to survive punctures.
The tire is better able to negotiate bends at moderate speed without the car turning over on its side.
Radial construction also helps the tire find more traction on the road on account of the tread and reinforced steel.
Both are large tires
This means more gas for every mile. Both tires are larger than 245 tires which are much lighter.
For the purpose of this comparison, if you need to change the tires on your car from say, a 245 tire to either of 255 and 265, then be ready to get up on gas more often than you use to.
Perhaps you want to stick with a smaller 254 tire for your car.
More gas consumption
More gas per mile translates to more spending on gas. Your budget would attain new heights with the acquisition of either 255 or 265 tires.
Difference between 255 and 265 tires
Here’s a list of differences between 255 and 265 tires
- Different wheel diameter
- 265 tires use more gas mileage
- Different load indexes between the two tires
- 265 tires are more stable than 255 tires
- A 265 tire has higher rolling resistance than a 255 tire
Different wheel diameter
255 tires fit on 15 inches rims while 265 tires for on 16 inches rims.
The information to determine this is printed on the tires. Make sure to ascertain this detail before making a choice of either a wider 265 tire or 255.
As we have already noted earlier, 265 tires are suited for light trucks and it is only appropriate that the rims on light trucks are wider since they’d be bearing heavier weight than smaller vehicles.
265 tires use more gas mileage
As we have established already, the heavier the tire, the more gas it requires to roll.
The advantage of a wider 265 tire is that it has more tire space to grip the pavement with, but it also means that the engine is taxed more, drawing more engine power to make the car run.
The owner of the truck would surely load it more than the owner of a car would. And here lies the difference between a 255 tire and a 265 tire.
If you are thinking of tires for your car, stick with a 255 tire, except you don’t mind paying for more gas.
Different load indexes between the two tires
Each of the tires is manufactured to carry a different, and a certain amount of load.
One thing to note first is to avoid fixing lighter tires under heavy cars. For example, it may lead to certain disasters to put a 255 tire under a light truck.
You will definitely want to apply your truck to heavy loads and that’s simply a disaster waiting to happen. 255 tires are built to withstand a 900 kg load, while a 265 tire can withstand 950 kg of load.
That is a 50 kg difference, yes, but nevertheless significant.
265 tires are more stable than 255 tires
As a matter of fact, 265 tires provide more stability than 255 tires. This is why many owners of light trucks prefer it on their trucks.
Other than the aesthetic of a big, bulging tire that gives the car a great look, it handles quite efficiently on the move.
And a 265 tire can be trusted to carry the weight of the car through rough terrain.
Some car owners prefer a 265 tire on their cars. And why not? It does look great on those cars, plus if the tire is manufactured for winter, trust that you’ll enjoy a smooth ride all season.
A 265 tire has higher rolling resistance than a 255 tire
A lighter tire has low rolling resistance. A 265 tire has better rolling resistance, it can be felt through the handling of the steering wheel.
And it’s all thanks to the wider grip it has on the road than a 255 tire. And this is also a function of the utility for which trucks are generally made for.
This resistance is perfect for trucks, not much needed for passenger cars for which 255 tires are made for.
Why use a 255 tire?
For aesthetics
Reasons to use a 255 tire abound, and most of them are personal. A few are functional, that is, depending on the vehicle you use.
A vehicle owner may just want his or her car to look better than it used to and a 255 tire replacing a smaller tire (maybe 245) may just be one of the things needed.
Some owners may be looking to pimp their cars, there are many repair shops providing this service.
Functional reasons
Or the distance that you need to travel between your home and the school your children goes to has increased.
Perhaps you need to navigate winding roads along mountain paths. All this and more may be functional reasons why you may need to change your tire to a 255.
Why use a 265 tire?
Aesthetics
As earlier mentioned 265 tires look great on trucks, especially light ones, or in SUVs.
All you need to inspire you to acquire a set for your truck is to find photos of trucks bearing 265 tires on Google. They truly look beautiful.
Functional importance
If you live on a farm and drive a truck, you may want to switch from a 255 tire to 265 in order to be able to fulfill all the transportation responsibilities on the farm.
Your truck would be needed to convey feed for your animals, transport produce, to and from the farm, and more.
Besides, if the farm is accessible through a dirt road then a 265 tire is best.
Type of vehicles that use 255 tires?
A quick online search reveals that your present car just might be able to use a 255 tire.
If you use any of the following cars and you wish to switch to these tires, then, by all means, knock yourself out.
They are:
- Audi 3
- BMW 3
- BMW Alpina
- Cadillac 3
- Honda 2
- Jaguar 1
- Lexus 1
- Maserati 1
- Mercedes Benz 11
- Porsche 1
- Skoda 1
- Subaru 1
- Toyota 1
Do note that each time has its own measurement, hence when purchasing your tires, make sure to check with the catalog of the manufacturer to ensure that the 255 tire you buy is a perfect fit for your rim.
Type of vehicles that use 265 tires
The following vehicles are big cars and are built to use 265 tires and most of them are light trucks:
- Cadillac 1, Escalade
- Chevrolet 5; Colorado, D-Max, Express Cargo, Express Pasajeros, S10
- Dodge; Dakota, RAM 2500
- FAW Toyota; Land Cruiser Prado
- Foday; Explorer 6, Landfort
- Ford; Endeavor, Everest, Ranger.
- Foton; Sauvana, Tunland, Tunland E7, Tunland S
- GMC; Canyon, Sierra 1500, Suburban 1500, Yukon.
- Haval; H9
- Holden; Suburban
- Huanghai; N2, N3
- Hummer; H3
- Isuzu; i-Series
- JMC; Yuhu, Yusheng S350
- KIA; Mohave
- Lexus GX
- Mahindra pickup, Getaway.
- Mazda BT-50
- Mercedes G-Class
- Mitsubishi; Challenger, L200, Montero, Montero Sport, Nativa, Pajero, Pajero sport, Raider, Shogun, Triton
- Nissan; Frontier, Navara, Pathfinder, Xterra
- Peugeot Landtrek
- Suzuki Equator
- Toyota; 4Runner, Fortuner, Hilux, Hilux Revo, Hilux Surf, Land Cruiser, Land Cruiser Prado, SW4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Tundra
- Wey Tank 300
- ZX TerraLord
What is the width difference between a 265 tire and a 255 tire?
The 265 tire is 10 mm wider than a 255 tire
This difference is basic. However, note that there other considerations other than this disparity when deciding which of the two to buy.
Before making a purchase you need to consider the width of the rim of the vehicle by checking the information on the sidewall of the tire.
This helps to match the right 255 or 265 for the rim on your vehicle.
Does this mean your car may not be able to use all types of 265 or 255 tires?
Absolutely. For the reason mentioned above, a particular 255 or 265 tire may not be a proper fit—the size of the rim on your vehicle.
The seller may be able to help you in this regard if you have no idea how to check the size of your rim.
Also, make sure that when changing from a set of sizes, say, from 255 to 256 tires, to a different one, to buy a complete set of tires.
It would be improper to buy two front tires of 265 and two back tires of 255. Doing this sends your vehicle out of balance.
Tires are important components of your vehicle, they must be the correct sizes, must always be in good condition.
They are the only thing in between your car and the road for your vehicle to hang suspended over them.
Every other component of your vehicle; the engine, transmission, gear all work together to move the tires, given your vehicle torque.
It is now popular for car users to change from smaller tires to big ones.
This is because of the higher efficiency of bigger tires as we have outlined above, and also on account of the aesthetic appeal.
Tire manufacturers continue to make new tires. The demand for tires will continue to rise as more cars are purchased, or newer versions of cars are made.
And those who have cars already will continue to have reasons to change their tires.
Whatever the case may be, make sure you are buying the right sizes of tires for your vehicles, life depends on it, literally.
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