215/80R21 vs 235/70R21
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -1.7 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 215/80R21 | 235/70R21 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 34.5" | 34.0" | -1.7 % |
| Sidewall | 6.77" | 6.48" | -4.4 % |
| Section width | 215 mm | 235 mm | +9.3 % |
| Circumference | 108.5" | 106.7" | -1.7 % |
| Revs per mile | 584 | 594 | +1.7 % |
| Axle height | 17.27" | 16.98" | -7.5 mm |
| Approved rim width | 6–8" | 6.5–8.5" | overlap 6.5–8" |
Both are approved on a rim 6.5" to 8" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 215/80R21. Fit 235/70R21 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.5 mph | -0.5 |
| 50 mph | 49.1 mph | -0.9 |
| 70 mph | 68.8 mph | -1.2 |
| 90 mph | 88.5 mph | -1.5 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,829 on the road, so it over-counts by 171. At a true 70 mph the first turns 681 times a minute, the second 693.