265= tire width in millimeters, so 265 mm or 26.5 cm or roughly 10.4 in
75= percentage of with in sidewall height or 10.4 in X .75 or 7.8 in
16= wheel size
So the 265/75/16 is a 10.4 inch wide tire, with a sidewall height of 7.8 inches (remember this is both above and below the rim) on a 16 inch wheel. So 7.8x2+16 gives you a 31.6 inch tall setup that is 10.6 wide.
This is a rough guide. Some manufacturers will call this a 31" some a 32" and the same nominal size may vary as much as 3/4 inch or so among different manufacturers.
The earlier post referring to circumference of tires and its affect on speedo calibration is correct. The only other variable is the matter of how much fuel is expended in order to rotate each different tire. With a larger, heavier tire, more fuel is used in order to generate the same 2000 rpm. The variance only makes a real difference in stop and go or city driving. Once the vehicle reaches highway speed, it all sort of evens out.
Assuming all other variables are equal (weight, gearing, drag, etc) the following is true:
A vehicle with small diameter tires will accelerate great, but work harder to maintain highway speed.
A vehicle with large diameter tires accelerates like a dog, but cruises easily on the highway.
75= percentage of with in sidewall height or 10.4 in X .75 or 7.8 in
16= wheel size
So the 265/75/16 is a 10.4 inch wide tire, with a sidewall height of 7.8 inches (remember this is both above and below the rim) on a 16 inch wheel. So 7.8x2+16 gives you a 31.6 inch tall setup that is 10.6 wide.
This is a rough guide. Some manufacturers will call this a 31" some a 32" and the same nominal size may vary as much as 3/4 inch or so among different manufacturers.
The earlier post referring to circumference of tires and its affect on speedo calibration is correct. The only other variable is the matter of how much fuel is expended in order to rotate each different tire. With a larger, heavier tire, more fuel is used in order to generate the same 2000 rpm. The variance only makes a real difference in stop and go or city driving. Once the vehicle reaches highway speed, it all sort of evens out.
Assuming all other variables are equal (weight, gearing, drag, etc) the following is true:
A vehicle with small diameter tires will accelerate great, but work harder to maintain highway speed.
A vehicle with large diameter tires accelerates like a dog, but cruises easily on the highway.