305/55R24 vs 285/55R24
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 | 305/55R24 | 285/55R24 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 37.2" | 36.3" | -2.3 % |
| Sidewall | 6.60" | 6.17" | -6.6 % |
| Section width | 305 mm | 285 mm | -6.6 % |
| Circumference | 116.9" | 114.2" | -2.3 % |
| Revs per mile | 542 | 555 | +2.3 % |
| Axle height | 18.60" | 18.17" | -11.0 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 305/55R24. Fit 285/55R24 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 9,767 on the road, so it over-counts by 233. At a true 70 mph the first turns 632 times a minute, the second 647.