265/35R20 vs 275/30R20
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -3.0 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 265/35R20 | 275/30R20 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 27.3" | 26.5" | -3.0 % |
| Sidewall | 3.65" | 3.25" | -11.1 % |
| Section width | 265 mm | 275 mm | +3.8 % |
| Circumference | 85.8" | 83.2" | -3.0 % |
| Revs per mile | 739 | 761 | +3.0 % |
| Axle height | 13.65" | 13.25" | -10.3 mm |
| Approved rim width | 7.5–9.5" | 7.5–10" | overlap 7.5–9.5" |
Both are approved on a rim 7.5" to 9.5" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 265/35R20. Fit 275/30R20 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.1 mph | -0.9 |
| 50 mph | 48.5 mph | -1.5 |
| 70 mph | 67.9 mph | -2.1 |
| 90 mph | 87.3 mph | -2.7 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,704 on the road, so it over-counts by 296. At a true 70 mph the first turns 862 times a minute, the second 888.