325/40R17 vs 305/40R17
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 | 325/40R17 | 305/40R17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 27.2" | 26.6" | -2.3 % |
| Sidewall | 5.12" | 4.80" | -6.2 % |
| Section width | 325 mm | 305 mm | -6.2 % |
| Circumference | 85.6" | 83.6" | -2.3 % |
| Revs per mile | 740 | 758 | +2.3 % |
| Axle height | 13.62" | 13.30" | -8.0 mm |
| Approved rim width | 9–12" | 8.5–11" | overlap 9–11" |
Both are approved on a rim 9" to 11" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 325/40R17. Fit 305/40R17 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 9,769 on the road, so it over-counts by 231. At a true 70 mph the first turns 864 times a minute, the second 884.