285/70R16 vs 275/75R16
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by +1.7 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 285/70R16 | 275/75R16 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 31.7" | 32.2" | +1.7 % |
| Sidewall | 7.85" | 8.12" | +3.4 % |
| Section width | 285 mm | 275 mm | -3.5 % |
| Circumference | 99.6" | 101.3" | +1.7 % |
| Revs per mile | 636 | 626 | -1.7 % |
| Axle height | 15.85" | 16.12" | +6.8 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 285/70R16. Fit 275/75R16 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.5 mph | +0.5 |
| 50 mph | 50.8 mph | +0.8 |
| 70 mph | 71.2 mph | +1.2 |
| 90 mph | 91.5 mph | +1.5 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 10,168 on the road, so it under-counts by 168. At a true 70 mph the first turns 742 times a minute, the second 730.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 285/70R16. 275/75R16 carries 1.