315/45R23 vs 325/40R23
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -2.7 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 315/45R23 | 325/40R23 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 34.2" | 33.2" | -2.7 % |
| Sidewall | 5.58" | 5.12" | -8.3 % |
| Section width | 315 mm | 325 mm | +3.2 % |
| Circumference | 107.3" | 104.4" | -2.7 % |
| Revs per mile | 590 | 607 | +2.7 % |
| Axle height | 17.08" | 16.62" | -11.8 mm |
| Approved rim width | 8.5–11.5" | 9–12" | overlap 9–11.5" |
Both are approved on a rim 9" 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 315/45R23. Fit 325/40R23 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.2 mph | -0.8 |
| 50 mph | 48.6 mph | -1.4 |
| 70 mph | 68.1 mph | -1.9 |
| 90 mph | 87.6 mph | -2.4 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,729 on the road, so it over-counts by 271. At a true 70 mph the first turns 689 times a minute, the second 708.