245/45R21 vs 265/45R21
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 | 245/45R21 | 265/45R21 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 29.7" | 30.4" | +2.4 % |
| Sidewall | 4.34" | 4.69" | +8.2 % |
| Section width | 245 mm | 265 mm | +8.2 % |
| Circumference | 93.2" | 95.5" | +2.4 % |
| Revs per mile | 679 | 664 | -2.4 % |
| Axle height | 14.84" | 15.19" | +9.0 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 245/45R21. Fit 265/45R21 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 10,239 on the road, so it under-counts by 239. At a true 70 mph the first turns 793 times a minute, the second 774.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 245/45R21. 265/45R21 carries 2.