I have 00 X SE-4WD and its about time to change the stock tires (265-70-R15), reaching 60k miles pretty soon. Based on the research from this forum, I have decided to purchase Geolander H/T-S and up the tire size on the stock rim to 265-70-R16. What I have learned from this forum that 265-70-R16 will fit and without trimming the mudflaps. But, I am confused when I go to tirerack.com, its shows me the only option for 16" tire is 235-70-R16. Will 265-70-R16 Geolander's fit on my stocks rims? I just need an additional assurance from you folks that 265-70-R16 will fit on my stock rims without any hassle, so I can place the order. On a side note, most of my driving is highway and inner city driving. Thank you all for your suggestions and help.

From what I'm reading in your post you mentioned that you have 15" rims and you want tires for the 16" rims to fit on your 15 inchers

First line of your post indicated R15 in the tire size (that's the rim size) and you're talking about R16 later on. Those will not fit on your 15" rims because they are made for 16" rims.

If you want to up the tire size you might wanna consider going with 265/75 R15 or 275/70 R15. Both are about an inch taller. The 275/70 R15 is a little wider and taller when the first option mentioned is stock width but a bit taller.

Make sure you're not confusing the sizes before you buy.

Thank you for your email for setting me correct. For one reason or other my understanding was that I will be able to fit R16 tire onto my stock rim which has R15 on it. From the Yokohama website, approved rim width is 7.0-9.0” for both tires and overall diameter is 29.7” for R15 and 30.7” for R16. I thought the mounting diameter will be pretty much the same and that R16 will fit on to my stock rims. I am not sure what will I achieve using 265/75 R15 in terms of handling or drivability. My spare will still be the stock size. I guess my choice is limited to R15, I will stick to 265/70 R15 (stock) and order the GeoLandar H/T-S from the local warehouse. Thanks again.

You definitely cannot run a 16" tire on a 15" wheel, not that any shop would even attempt to mount them for you in the first place.

You have many more options than you are considering...including sizes, brands, etc.

The R15 and R16 refer to the rim sizes, and if you have 15" (R15) rims...you MUST get R15 (15" inside diameter) tires to fit it.

The 265 and 275, etc...numbers refer to the section width, in millimeters (mm)...so a larger number is generally a wider tire.

The numbers like 70, 75, etc...refer to the aspect ratio of the tire...the ratio of the section width to the sidewall height (Height from road to rim, created by the tire's sidewall).

A lower number has a shorter sidewall, a higher number has a taller sidewall...so a tire with a 60 aspect ratio is short and squat compared to a 75 aspect ratio tire.

That's why a 265/70/15 tire is the same width as a 265/75/15 tire, but has a smaller overall diameter...because of its lower aspect ratio (70 vs 75).



Don't confuse the rim diameter (15" or 16", etc.) with the tire diameter (Maybe 29-30" etc...).

When they say the tire is R15 for example, it means it goes on a 15" diameter rim....as the INNER diameter of the tire is about 15".

The OUTER diameter of the tire may be 29- 30" etc...or pretty much ANY diameter really.

Hope that helps a bit.

Thank you all for explaining me the issues with the tires & rims. After reviewing all the previous threads, I have another quick question. I see that some people are running 31x10.5xR15 on their stock SE 15x7JJ rims, what is the apparent advantage of doing so in comparison to the stock 265/ 70-R15?

They're just a bit larger in diameter, that's all.