285/70R22.5 vs 265/70R22.5
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 | 285/70R22.5 | 265/70R22.5 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 38.2" | 37.1" | -2.9 % |
| Sidewall | 7.85" | 7.30" | -7.0 % |
| Section width | 285 mm | 265 mm | -7.0 % |
| Circumference | 120.0" | 116.6" | -2.9 % |
| Revs per mile | 528 | 544 | +2.9 % |
| Axle height | 19.10" | 18.55" | -14.0 mm |
| Approved rim width | 8–10.5" | 7.5–9.5" | overlap 8–9.5" |
Both are approved on a rim 8" to 9.5" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 285/70R22.5. Fit 265/70R22.5 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.1 mph | -0.9 |
| 50 mph | 48.6 mph | -1.4 |
| 70 mph | 68.0 mph | -2.0 |
| 90 mph | 87.4 mph | -2.6 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,711 on the road, so it over-counts by 289. At a true 70 mph the first turns 616 times a minute, the second 634.