285/35R20 vs 275/35R20
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -1.0 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 285/35R20 | 275/35R20 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 27.9" | 27.6" | -1.0 % |
| Sidewall | 3.93" | 3.79" | -3.5 % |
| Section width | 285 mm | 275 mm | -3.5 % |
| Circumference | 87.5" | 86.6" | -1.0 % |
| Revs per mile | 724 | 731 | +1.0 % |
| Axle height | 13.93" | 13.79" | -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 285/35R20. Fit 275/35R20 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 | 89.1 mph | -0.9 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,901 on the road, so it over-counts by 99. At a true 70 mph the first turns 845 times a minute, the second 853.