285/35R23 vs 265/35R23
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -1.8 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 285/35R23 | 265/35R23 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 30.9" | 30.3" | -1.8 % |
| Sidewall | 3.93" | 3.65" | -7.0 % |
| Section width | 285 mm | 265 mm | -7.0 % |
| Circumference | 96.9" | 95.2" | -1.8 % |
| Revs per mile | 654 | 666 | +1.8 % |
| Axle height | 15.43" | 15.15" | -7.0 mm |
| Approved rim width | 8–10.5" | 7.5–9.5" | overlap 8–9.5" |
Both are approved on a rim 8" 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 285/35R23. Fit 265/35R23 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.5 mph | -0.5 |
| 50 mph | 49.1 mph | -0.9 |
| 70 mph | 68.7 mph | -1.3 |
| 90 mph | 88.4 mph | -1.6 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,821 on the road, so it over-counts by 179. At a true 70 mph the first turns 763 times a minute, the second 776.