285/70R21 vs 275/70R21
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 | 285/70R21 | 275/70R21 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 36.7" | 36.2" | -1.5 % |
| Sidewall | 7.85" | 7.58" | -3.5 % |
| Section width | 285 mm | 275 mm | -3.5 % |
| Circumference | 115.3" | 113.6" | -1.5 % |
| Revs per mile | 549 | 558 | +1.5 % |
| Axle height | 18.35" | 18.08" | -7.0 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 285/70R21. Fit 275/70R21 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.5 mph | -0.5 |
| 50 mph | 49.2 mph | -0.8 |
| 70 mph | 68.9 mph | -1.1 |
| 90 mph | 88.6 mph | -1.4 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,850 on the road, so it over-counts by 150. At a true 70 mph the first turns 641 times a minute, the second 651.