295/70R21 vs 275/70R21
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -3.0 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 295/70R21 | 275/70R21 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 37.3" | 36.2" | -3.0 % |
| Sidewall | 8.13" | 7.58" | -6.8 % |
| Section width | 295 mm | 275 mm | -6.8 % |
| Circumference | 117.1" | 113.6" | -3.0 % |
| Revs per mile | 541 | 558 | +3.0 % |
| Axle height | 18.63" | 18.08" | -14.0 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 295/70R21. Fit 275/70R21 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.1 mph | -0.9 |
| 50 mph | 48.5 mph | -1.5 |
| 70 mph | 67.9 mph | -2.1 |
| 90 mph | 87.3 mph | -2.7 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,704 on the road, so it over-counts by 296. At a true 70 mph the first turns 631 times a minute, the second 651.