225/35R18 vs 215/40R18
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by +2.4 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 225/35R18 | 215/40R18 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 24.2" | 24.8" | +2.4 % |
| Sidewall | 3.10" | 3.39" | +9.2 % |
| Section width | 225 mm | 215 mm | -4.4 % |
| Circumference | 76.0" | 77.8" | +2.4 % |
| Revs per mile | 833 | 814 | -2.4 % |
| Axle height | 12.10" | 12.39" | +7.3 mm |
| Approved rim width | 6–8.5" | 6–8" | overlap 6–8" |
Both are approved on a rim 6" to 8" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 225/35R18. Fit 215/40R18 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.7 mph | +0.7 |
| 50 mph | 51.2 mph | +1.2 |
| 70 mph | 71.7 mph | +1.7 |
| 90 mph | 92.1 mph | +2.1 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 10,236 on the road, so it under-counts by 236. At a true 70 mph the first turns 972 times a minute, the second 950.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 225/35R18. 215/40R18 carries 2.