285/40R18 vs 305/35R18
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 | 285/40R18 | 305/35R18 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 27.0" | 26.4" | -2.1 % |
| Sidewall | 4.49" | 4.20" | -6.4 % |
| Section width | 285 mm | 305 mm | +7.0 % |
| Circumference | 84.7" | 83.0" | -2.1 % |
| Revs per mile | 748 | 764 | +2.1 % |
| Axle height | 13.49" | 13.20" | -7.3 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 285/40R18. Fit 305/35R18 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 9,788 on the road, so it over-counts by 212. At a true 70 mph the first turns 872 times a minute, the second 891.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 285/40R18. 305/35R18 carries 2.