245/35R18 vs 265/35R18
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by +2.2 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 245/35R18 | 265/35R18 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 24.8" | 25.3" | +2.2 % |
| Sidewall | 3.38" | 3.65" | +8.2 % |
| Section width | 245 mm | 265 mm | +8.2 % |
| Circumference | 77.8" | 79.5" | +2.2 % |
| Revs per mile | 815 | 797 | -2.2 % |
| Axle height | 12.38" | 12.65" | +7.0 mm |
| Approved rim width | 7–9" | 7.5–9.5" | overlap 7.5–9" |
Both are approved on a rim 7.5" to 9" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 245/35R18. Fit 265/35R18 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.7 mph | +0.7 |
| 50 mph | 51.1 mph | +1.1 |
| 70 mph | 71.6 mph | +1.6 |
| 90 mph | 92.0 mph | +2.0 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 10,223 on the road, so it under-counts by 223. At a true 70 mph the first turns 951 times a minute, the second 930.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 245/35R18. 265/35R18 carries 2.