265/65R/17 Advice please!

[Will]

I have been running 245/65R/17 on my 05 D3 and have had problems finding a replacement tyre in the Winton / Longreach area. Suggestion from local suppliers is to fit a spare 265/65R/17 as a spare and then replace the old tyres with 265/65R/17 when I get home.

Can anyone who is using this size help with a few comments?
Is the tyre too wide? Any rubbing problems? Fuel consumption increase?
It will cause a 2% problem with incorrect speedo reading.
We tow a van and I do not want to have problems with gearing.

I think the best answer is to stick with 245/65R/17, or go to a 245/70R/17???

[Graeme]

245/65-17 is about 1/2" undersize. 255/65-17 is standard size and there are a few options available although some have insufficient load rating. 245/70-17 and 265/65-17 are only 1/2" oversize with a lot more options, with 245/70 normally having a higher load rating.

[rmp]

The 265/65/17 fits fine. But, don't do it. It's a different overall diameter (o/d) to the others and that will slightly throw out the electronics and cause excess wear + handling issues. Maybe not dramatic enough to worry about for very short term use, but don't do it long-term and also the car is instantly unroadworthy as both tyres on an axle must be identical. Figure out the overall diameter of the other tyres and get one of the same o/d. As was said earlier if you run 245s on 17s the correct aspect ratio is 70, ie 245/70/17. Your tyre guy really should have explained the implications of the o/d change and the roadworthy issue.

[sniegy]

245/65-17 is about 1/2" undersize. 255/65-17 is standard size and there are a few options available although some have insufficient load rating. 245/70-17 and 265/65-17 are only 1/2" oversize with a lot more options, with 245/70 normally having a higher load rating.
235/70/17 is the standard tyre size fo rthe D3, Wouldn't want to be driving with different size tyres on the road for too long at all..

Cheers

[IvanR]

I run 245/70 17" on my 2005 TDV6 S (in place of 235/70 17" OME) and find that the speedo reads almost spot on, it is out by less than 1% (over). Depending on tyre brand 265/65 17" are almost the same diameter.

[rmp]

235/70/17 is the standard tyre size fo rthe D3, Wouldn't want to be driving with different size tyres on the road for too long at all..

Cheers

clarification (for others reading)...you mean driving with a different o/d tyre, but all tyres same o/d is ok, but driving with different o/d tyres is a bad move? Not that using a different o/d to 235/70/17 is bad?

As the Discos are constant 4WD the o/d has to be the same front & rear too, not like a 2WD.

[Will]

Thanks for the help. Have managed to get an old but usable correct tyre to get me out of trouble for the time being. Usually always carry two spares but not this - live and learn!

[sniegy]

Yes Exactly Rob,

Sorry for my poorly written reply.:p

O/D (outside diameter) needs to be the same, regardless of size.

Do NOT mix O/D sizes just to get out of trouble as this will lead to an expensive fix later on.

Different sizes is all ok as long as again the O/D is the SAME.

Cheers

[Gypsy_Pete]

I have a TDV6 '05 Disco 3 S. The standard tyre size as you've said is 235/70/17. When I went looking for tyres there seemed to be only Goodyear and Continental options in that size. The tyre dealer suggested that I buy a set of 265/60/17s as this was a very common size. But then he checked and it appears that 8.5" rims are required. The D3 S only has 8" rims. So I opted for a set of 255/60/17 ATR Pirelli Scorpions which at 762mm OD are only 1mm more than the original tyres and are legal on 8" rims.

Hope this helps. Peter

[rmp]

GP, those figures don't seem right. I don't think 265/60/17 is all that common, 265/65/17 more so. An 8.5 rim is very wide, and LR's rims are only 8.0" max even for a 275 width tyre.

Which tyre was it that was the 265/60/17? The manufacturer website will give recommended rim widths and my guess is that it will be 7.5-8.5, with 8.5 being a maximum not a minimum.

Most people run 245/70/17 which works well. Cooper STT and BFG muds available in that size for example.

[Graeme]

The D3 S only has 8" rims. So I opted for a set of 255/60/17
IIRC the 17" are 7" wide and I can't see LR fitting 235/70 to 8" rims.

[Gypsy_Pete]

Sorry, I meant 265/65/17 was the size they said was common but I needed 8.5" rims.

[rmp]

Sorry, I meant 265/65/17 was the size they said was common but I needed 8.5" rims.

Ah.

Well, that's wrong. The rim size for 265/65/17 is 7.5-9.5".

General Tire Australia * The Tires * Light Truck and SUV (http://www.generaltire.com.au/tires/T5/Grabber-ATsup2-sup)

and others would be similar if not identical.

These tyre shops make me so angry when they constantly hand out advice which is just plain wrong and the poor customer doesn't know any better, expecting the "professionals" to have some clue about what they're selling.

[connock]

Hi All
Check this tyre calculator out , compare tyre sizes widths and diamaters, metric to imperial. It may clear some confusion and help out when buying tyres Tire size calculator (http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html):D:burnrubber:

[91Viper]

Legal allowance for a 4WD IS 26mm lower / 50 mm Higher than factory fit

[gghaggis]

Legal allowance for a 4WD IS 26mm lower / 50 mm Higher than factory fit

"Lift" is defined somewhat separately to variation in tyre size - and it's different state-to-state, so be mindful of your own particular state's rulings.

Cheers,

Gordon

[Gypsy_Pete]

Ah.

Well, that's wrong. The rim size for 265/65/17 is 7.5-9.5".

General Tire Australia * The Tires * Light Truck and SUV (http://www.generaltire.com.au/tires/T5/Grabber-ATsup2-sup)

and others would be similar if not identical.

These tyre shops make me so angry when they constantly hand out advice which is just plain wrong and the poor customer doesn't know any better, expecting the "professionals" to have some clue about what they're selling.

Well that's a bugger! Because the 255 was unusual, I waited 3 months for them to arrive from Pirelli. I would have happily taken the 265 size. Thanks for that information.