285/70R21 vs 275/75R21
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by +1.4 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 285/70R21 | 275/75R21 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 36.7" | 37.2" | +1.4 % |
| Sidewall | 7.85" | 8.12" | +3.4 % |
| Section width | 285 mm | 275 mm | -3.5 % |
| Circumference | 115.3" | 117.0" | +1.4 % |
| Revs per mile | 549 | 542 | -1.4 % |
| Axle height | 18.35" | 18.62" | +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 285/70R21. Fit 275/75R21 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 10,145 on the road, so it under-counts by 145. At a true 70 mph the first turns 641 times a minute, the second 632.