285/55R17 vs 275/55R17
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -1.5 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 285/55R17 | 275/55R17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 29.3" | 28.9" | -1.5 % |
| Sidewall | 6.17" | 5.95" | -3.5 % |
| Section width | 285 mm | 275 mm | -3.5 % |
| Circumference | 92.2" | 90.8" | -1.5 % |
| Revs per mile | 687 | 698 | +1.5 % |
| Axle height | 14.67" | 14.45" | -5.5 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 285/55R17. Fit 275/55R17 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.6 mph | -0.4 |
| 50 mph | 49.3 mph | -0.7 |
| 70 mph | 69.0 mph | -1.0 |
| 90 mph | 88.7 mph | -1.3 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,852 on the road, so it over-counts by 148. At a true 70 mph the first turns 802 times a minute, the second 814.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 285/55R17. 275/55R17 carries 2.