305/40R23 vs 285/40R23
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -1.9 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 305/40R23 | 285/40R23 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 32.6" | 32.0" | -1.9 % |
| Sidewall | 4.80" | 4.49" | -6.6 % |
| Section width | 305 mm | 285 mm | -6.6 % |
| Circumference | 102.4" | 100.5" | -1.9 % |
| Revs per mile | 619 | 631 | +1.9 % |
| Axle height | 16.30" | 15.99" | -8.0 mm |
| Approved rim width | 8.5–11" | 8–10.5" | overlap 8.5–10.5" |
Both are approved on a rim 8.5" to 10.5" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 305/40R23. Fit 285/40R23 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.4 mph | -0.6 |
| 50 mph | 49.0 mph | -1.0 |
| 70 mph | 68.6 mph | -1.4 |
| 90 mph | 88.3 mph | -1.7 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,807 on the road, so it over-counts by 193. At a true 70 mph the first turns 722 times a minute, the second 736.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 305/40R23. 285/40R23 carries 1.