265 vs 285 Tires: The Main Differences
Tire width is a really important measurement when it comes to making your car feel one way or the other. If you own a performance car, or you want to make your car handle a bit better and more stable, you are better off with wider tires. On the other hand, if you want to be more sensible and save some money in the process, a narrower tire is a better choice.
As such, we are going to compare 265 vs 285 tires and tell you why you should go for one over the other. Both of these are comparably wide which means that they aren’t too dissimilar in most categories.
265 vs 285 Tires
A 265-section tire measures 265 millimeters from one sidewall to the other while a 285 tire measures 285 millimeters from one side to the other. This means that a 265 tire is going to be more affordable, more efficient, more comfortable, quieter, and will also offer more traction in the rain, slush, and snow.
On the flip side, a 285 tire beats a 265 tire when it comes to handling, stability, dry traction, load capacity, and weight distribution. The idea behind choosing the right tire for you is to value your options accordingly and go for a tire that is more suited to your car and your liking.
Why Should I Buy 265 Tires?
- Better Snow, Slush, and Water Traction
- Better Fuel Economy
- More Affordable
- More Comfortable With Less Road Noise
Are 265 Tires Better In The Snow Than 285 Tires?
Yes, they are. If we were to compare two identical tire models on the same car with the only difference being tire width, a 265 tire should always beat a 285 tire when it comes to snow, slush, and water traction. The reason why is that a narrower tire has a larger pressure per square inch which means that there is less tire that is pushing harder into the pavement.
This enables the 265 tire to dig deeper than the 285 tire which in turn gives you more traction. This is also really important when it comes to aquaplaning as a 265 tire is less likely to be thrown out compared to a 285 tire. Slush is also where a 265 tire performs noticeably better as slush is much easier to dig into and the tire can reach the pavement much more consistently.
Do 265 Tires Offer Better Fuel Economy Than 285 Tires?
When it comes to energy exertion and tire width, there are two reasons why a 265 tire is more fuel efficient than a 285 tire. The first one is down to rolling resistance as less energy is needed to rotate the tire.
On the other hand, a narrower tire is more slippery and creates less wind resistance. This means that the air pushing into the tire from the front while driving is not as strong as it is in a 285 tire. With these two effects in play at all times, a 265 tire is more fuel efficient than a 285 tire.
Is A 265 Tire More Affordable Than A 285 Tire?
In this case, there are also two reasons why a 265 tire is more affordable than a 285 tire. First of all, the manufacturing and shipping of a 265 tire are cheaper which in turn lowers the final price you have to pay. This is because a 265 tire uses less material and takes up less space during shipping which does lower its final price, especially when these are bought in bulk.
The second reason is due to market demand. A 265 tire is more popular than a 285 tire and more cars come with 265 tires as opposed to 285 tires. This means that the higher demand for a 265 tire lowers its median price compared to a 285 tire which isn’t as popular and thus the demand for 285 tires is not as exaggerated. If you want to know more about why tires are so expensive, click here.
Is A 265 Tire More Comfortable Than A 285 Tire?
As previously mentioned, a 265 tire manages air better than a 285 tire which aids in less wind resistance. This also plays a role when it comes to noise levels as a 265 tire is more slippery than a 285 tire. This means that the air going around the tires needs to travel a shorter distance which makes the tire quieter in comparison.
Secondly, a 265 tire has less of the tire going over road undulations and imperfections which means that it is more difficult to unsettle a 265 tire as far as smoothness is concerned. You can go around potholes easier and you are less likely to catch road debris with it. With these two effects combined, a 265 tire is more comfortable than a 285 tire.
Why Should I Buy 285 Tires?
- Better Handling
- Better Dry Traction
- Better Weight Distribution and Stability
- A Higher Load Capacity
Do 285 Tires Handle Better Than 265 Tires?
A 285 tire is able to keep the car more leveled while going through corners quickly which increases your cornering speeds and makes the car feel more confidence-inspiring and essentially quicker. A 265 tire is also a relatively wide tire with good lateral grip, but a 285 is even better. You will feel more connected when driving a sports car with a 285 tire compared to one with a 265 tire if all the other variables are the same.
What is also important is the fact that the steering wheel weight is likely to be a bit beefier with a 285 tire which gives you more control and precision on a race track. This is partly why many performance cars come with 285-section tires or even wider tires. All in all, a 285 tire does handle better.
Do 285 Tires Offer More Dry Traction Than 265 Tires?
When comparing 265 vs 285 tires, one of the more common arguments to go for a 285 over a 265 tire is that it offers more consistent traction. Yes, a 285 tire does offer more dry traction than a 265 tire because the tire contact patch is larger. This means that the tire essentially has bigger claws with which it holds onto the road.
This is really noticeable on high-horsepower cars while accelerating and cornering. The key difference here is consistency as both a well-made 265 tire and a well-made 285 tire should be able to offer lots of traction. The difference is that a 285 tire is more consistent and can be pushed comparably harder before breaking traction.
Do 285 Tires Offer Better Stability Than 265 Tires?
Yes, 185 tires are indeed more stable than 265 tires because the weight of the car is being better distributed across all four corners of the car. This makes the car sit more firmly and requires more lateral force to throw it off balance. Even though 265 tires are decently wide, they are not as wide as 285 tires which do create a difference.
This is also noticeable when it comes to braking distances as a wider tire will enable you to stop more quickly. This is because the braking force can be applied more evenly across all four corners and because more mass is trying to stop the car. In addition to that, a 285 tire is also better for hauling and towing compared to a 265 tire for the very same reasons.
Can 285 Tires Carry More Weight Than 265 Tires?
When it comes to loading capacity, there are quite a few factors that go into play here. If you want your tires to be able to carry more, you can achieve that by upgrading your tire load range (Ply-rating) or by getting wider tires that can distribute weight better. You can also inflate your tires more, but that can make them explode.
The idea behind this is to lower your overall pressure (weight) per square inch of the tire which in turn enables the tire to carry more weight without being overly strained. As such, 285 tires sure can carry more weight than 265 tires, but the differences aren’t huge.
Average Differences Between 265 And 285 Tires
Features | 265 Tires | 285 Tires |
Width in mm | 265 millimeters | 285 millimeters |
Avg Tire Diameter | 31 inches | 33 inches |
Weight | 30-50 lbs | 38.0-67.0 lbs |
Tread depth | 9/32nds-18/32nds | 10/32nds-18/32nds |
Aspect ratio | 40,0 to 55,0 | 45,0 to 75,0 |
Diameter Of The Rim | 16 to 22 inches | 16 to 22 inches |
Width Of The Rim | 8 to 10.5 inches | 8.0 to 12.0 inches |
Load Capacity | 1,700-3,200lbs | 1,700-3,700lbs |
Load index rating (PLY-Rating) | 105.0 up to 121.0 | 114.0 up to 126.0 |
Construction Method | Radial | Radial |
Speed Ratings | T or S or W | H or Q or R |
Max Air Pressure | Mostly up to 65-75 psi | Up to 80-90 psi |
Average Price | $300 – $800 | $500 – $1000 |
Conclusion
At the end of our 265 vs 285 tire comparison, we can confidently state that these two aren’t too dissimilar, but there are some notable differences. A 285 tire is more tailored towards those who enjoy performance driving and are more likely to drive cars with summer tires on.
On the other hand, a 265 tire is more common because it is more ordinary. It is also a relatively wide tire, but one that strikes a better balance between performance and comfort.