245/85R15 vs 235/85R15
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -2.1 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 245/85R15 | 235/85R15 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 31.4" | 30.7" | -2.1 % |
| Sidewall | 8.20" | 7.86" | -4.1 % |
| Section width | 245 mm | 235 mm | -4.1 % |
| Circumference | 98.6" | 96.5" | -2.1 % |
| Revs per mile | 642 | 656 | +2.1 % |
| Axle height | 15.70" | 15.36" | -8.5 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 245/85R15. Fit 235/85R15 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.4 mph | -0.6 |
| 50 mph | 48.9 mph | -1.1 |
| 70 mph | 68.5 mph | -1.5 |
| 90 mph | 88.1 mph | -1.9 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,787 on the road, so it over-counts by 213. At a true 70 mph the first turns 749 times a minute, the second 766.