285/70R20 vs 275/75R20
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 | 285/70R20 | 275/75R20 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 35.7" | 36.2" | +1.5 % |
| Sidewall | 7.85" | 8.12" | +3.4 % |
| Section width | 285 mm | 275 mm | -3.5 % |
| Circumference | 112.2" | 113.9" | +1.5 % |
| Revs per mile | 565 | 557 | -1.5 % |
| Axle height | 17.85" | 18.12" | +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 285/70R20. Fit 275/75R20 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.4 mph | +0.4 |
| 50 mph | 50.7 mph | +0.7 |
| 70 mph | 71.0 mph | +1.0 |
| 90 mph | 91.3 mph | +1.3 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 10,149 on the road, so it under-counts by 149. At a true 70 mph the first turns 659 times a minute, the second 649.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 285/70R20. 275/75R20 carries 2.