285/35R23 vs 305/30R23
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -2.1 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 285/35R23 | 305/30R23 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 30.9" | 30.2" | -2.1 % |
| Sidewall | 3.93" | 3.60" | -8.3 % |
| Section width | 285 mm | 305 mm | +7.0 % |
| Circumference | 96.9" | 94.9" | -2.1 % |
| Revs per mile | 654 | 668 | +2.1 % |
| Axle height | 15.43" | 15.10" | -8.3 mm |
| Approved rim width | 8–10.5" | 8.5–11" | overlap 8.5–10.5" |
Both are approved on a rim 8.5" to 10.5" 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 305/30R23 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.4 mph | -0.6 |
| 50 mph | 48.9 mph | -1.1 |
| 70 mph | 68.5 mph | -1.5 |
| 90 mph | 88.1 mph | -1.9 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,789 on the road, so it over-counts by 211. At a true 70 mph the first turns 763 times a minute, the second 779.