315/45R21 vs 335/40R21
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 | 315/45R21 | 335/40R21 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 32.2" | 31.6" | -1.9 % |
| Sidewall | 5.58" | 5.28" | -5.5 % |
| Section width | 315 mm | 335 mm | +6.3 % |
| Circumference | 101.0" | 99.1" | -1.9 % |
| Revs per mile | 627 | 639 | +1.9 % |
| Axle height | 16.08" | 15.78" | -7.8 mm |
| Approved rim width | 8.5–11.5" | 9.5–12.5" | overlap 9.5–11.5" |
Both are approved on a rim 9.5" to 11.5" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 315/45R21. Fit 335/40R21 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.4 mph | -0.6 |
| 50 mph | 49.1 mph | -0.9 |
| 70 mph | 68.7 mph | -1.3 |
| 90 mph | 88.3 mph | -1.7 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,810 on the road, so it over-counts by 190. At a true 70 mph the first turns 732 times a minute, the second 746.