245/80R20 vs 265/70R20
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -2.3 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 245/80R20 | 265/70R20 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 35.4" | 34.6" | -2.3 % |
| Sidewall | 7.72" | 7.30" | -5.4 % |
| Section width | 245 mm | 265 mm | +8.2 % |
| Circumference | 111.3" | 108.7" | -2.3 % |
| Revs per mile | 569 | 583 | +2.3 % |
| Axle height | 17.72" | 17.30" | -10.5 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 245/80R20. Fit 265/70R20 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.3 mph | -0.7 |
| 50 mph | 48.8 mph | -1.2 |
| 70 mph | 68.4 mph | -1.6 |
| 90 mph | 87.9 mph | -2.1 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,767 on the road, so it over-counts by 233. At a true 70 mph the first turns 664 times a minute, the second 680.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 245/80R20. 265/70R20 carries 2.