295/55R20 vs 305/50R20
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -2.3 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 295/55R20 | 305/50R20 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 32.8" | 32.0" | -2.3 % |
| Sidewall | 6.39" | 6.00" | -6.0 % |
| Section width | 295 mm | 305 mm | +3.4 % |
| Circumference | 103.0" | 100.6" | -2.3 % |
| Revs per mile | 615 | 630 | +2.3 % |
| Axle height | 16.39" | 16.00" | -9.8 mm |
| Approved rim width | 8.5–11" | 8.5–11" | overlap 8.5–11" |
Both are approved on a rim 8.5" to 11" 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 305/50R20 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.3 mph | -0.7 |
| 50 mph | 48.8 mph | -1.2 |
| 70 mph | 68.4 mph | -1.6 |
| 90 mph | 87.9 mph | -2.1 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,766 on the road, so it over-counts by 234. At a true 70 mph the first turns 718 times a minute, the second 735.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 295/55R20. 305/50R20 carries 4.