275/45R21 vs 295/40R21
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -1.5 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 275/45R21 | 295/40R21 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 30.7" | 30.3" | -1.5 % |
| Sidewall | 4.87" | 4.65" | -4.6 % |
| Section width | 275 mm | 295 mm | +7.3 % |
| Circumference | 96.6" | 95.2" | -1.5 % |
| Revs per mile | 656 | 666 | +1.5 % |
| Axle height | 15.37" | 15.15" | -5.8 mm |
| Approved rim width | 7.5–10" | 8.5–11" | overlap 8.5–10" |
Both are approved on a rim 8.5" to 10" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 275/45R21. Fit 295/40R21 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.6 mph | -0.4 |
| 50 mph | 49.3 mph | -0.7 |
| 70 mph | 69.0 mph | -1.0 |
| 90 mph | 88.7 mph | -1.3 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,853 on the road, so it over-counts by 147. At a true 70 mph the first turns 765 times a minute, the second 777.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 275/45R21. 295/40R21 carries 2.