315/55R23 vs 305/55R23
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -1.2 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 315/55R23 | 305/55R23 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 36.6" | 36.2" | -1.2 % |
| Sidewall | 6.82" | 6.60" | -3.2 % |
| Section width | 315 mm | 305 mm | -3.2 % |
| Circumference | 115.1" | 113.8" | -1.2 % |
| Revs per mile | 550 | 557 | +1.2 % |
| Axle height | 18.32" | 18.10" | -5.5 mm |
| Approved rim width | 8.5–11.5" | 8.5–11" | overlap 8.5–11" |
Both are approved on a rim 8.5" to 11" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 315/55R23. Fit 305/55R23 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.6 mph | -0.4 |
| 50 mph | 49.4 mph | -0.6 |
| 70 mph | 69.2 mph | -0.8 |
| 90 mph | 88.9 mph | -1.1 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,882 on the road, so it over-counts by 118. At a true 70 mph the first turns 642 times a minute, the second 650.