285/35R18 vs 275/35R18
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -1.1 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 285/35R18 | 275/35R18 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 25.9" | 25.6" | -1.1 % |
| Sidewall | 3.93" | 3.79" | -3.5 % |
| Section width | 285 mm | 275 mm | -3.5 % |
| Circumference | 81.2" | 80.4" | -1.1 % |
| Revs per mile | 780 | 788 | +1.1 % |
| Axle height | 12.93" | 12.79" | -3.5 mm |
| Approved rim width | 8–10.5" | 7.5–10" | overlap 8–10" |
Both are approved on a rim 8" to 10" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 285/35R18. Fit 275/35R18 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.7 mph | -0.3 |
| 50 mph | 49.5 mph | -0.5 |
| 70 mph | 69.3 mph | -0.7 |
| 90 mph | 89.0 mph | -1.0 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,893 on the road, so it over-counts by 107. At a true 70 mph the first turns 910 times a minute, the second 920.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 285/35R18. 275/35R18 carries 8.