285/55R18 vs 305/55R18
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by +2.9 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 285/55R18 | 305/55R18 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 30.3" | 31.2" | +2.9 % |
| Sidewall | 6.17" | 6.60" | +7.0 % |
| Section width | 285 mm | 305 mm | +7.0 % |
| Circumference | 95.3" | 98.0" | +2.9 % |
| Revs per mile | 665 | 646 | -2.9 % |
| Axle height | 15.17" | 15.60" | +11.0 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 285/55R18. Fit 305/55R18 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.9 mph | +0.9 |
| 50 mph | 51.4 mph | +1.4 |
| 70 mph | 72.0 mph | +2.0 |
| 90 mph | 92.6 mph | +2.6 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 10,285 on the road, so it under-counts by 285. At a true 70 mph the first turns 775 times a minute, the second 754.