245/70R16 vs 235/70R16
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -1.9 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 245/70R16 | 235/70R16 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 29.5" | 29.0" | -1.9 % |
| Sidewall | 6.75" | 6.48" | -4.1 % |
| Section width | 245 mm | 235 mm | -4.1 % |
| Circumference | 92.7" | 91.0" | -1.9 % |
| Revs per mile | 684 | 697 | +1.9 % |
| Axle height | 14.75" | 14.48" | -7.0 mm |
| Approved rim width | 7–9" | 6.5–8.5" | overlap 7–8.5" |
Both are approved on a rim 7" to 8.5" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 245/70R16. Fit 235/70R16 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.4 mph | -0.6 |
| 50 mph | 49.1 mph | -0.9 |
| 70 mph | 68.7 mph | -1.3 |
| 90 mph | 88.3 mph | -1.7 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,813 on the road, so it over-counts by 187. At a true 70 mph the first turns 798 times a minute, the second 813.
What drivers reported
245/70R16 carries 74 complaints and 2 deaths. 235/70R16 carries 139.