215/85R20 vs 235/75R20
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -1.5 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 215/85R20 | 235/75R20 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 34.4" | 33.9" | -1.5 % |
| Sidewall | 7.19" | 6.94" | -3.6 % |
| Section width | 215 mm | 235 mm | +9.3 % |
| Circumference | 108.0" | 106.4" | -1.5 % |
| Revs per mile | 586 | 595 | +1.5 % |
| Axle height | 17.19" | 16.94" | -6.5 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 215/85R20. Fit 235/75R20 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.6 mph | -0.4 |
| 50 mph | 49.3 mph | -0.7 |
| 70 mph | 69.0 mph | -1.0 |
| 90 mph | 88.7 mph | -1.3 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,851 on the road, so it over-counts by 149. At a true 70 mph the first turns 684 times a minute, the second 695.