295/55R20 vs 275/55R20
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -2.6 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 295/55R20 | 275/55R20 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 32.8" | 31.9" | -2.6 % |
| Sidewall | 6.39" | 5.95" | -6.8 % |
| Section width | 295 mm | 275 mm | -6.8 % |
| Circumference | 103.0" | 100.2" | -2.6 % |
| Revs per mile | 615 | 632 | +2.6 % |
| Axle height | 16.39" | 15.95" | -11.0 mm |
| Approved rim width | 8.5–11" | 7.5–10" | overlap 8.5–10" |
Both are approved on a rim 8.5" to 10" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 295/55R20. Fit 275/55R20 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.2 mph | -0.8 |
| 50 mph | 48.7 mph | -1.3 |
| 70 mph | 68.2 mph | -1.8 |
| 90 mph | 87.6 mph | -2.4 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,736 on the road, so it over-counts by 264. At a true 70 mph the first turns 718 times a minute, the second 737.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 295/55R20. 275/55R20 carries 55.