325/45R20 vs 345/40R20
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -2.1 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 325/45R20 | 345/40R20 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 31.5" | 30.9" | -2.1 % |
| Sidewall | 5.76" | 5.43" | -5.6 % |
| Section width | 325 mm | 345 mm | +6.2 % |
| Circumference | 99.0" | 97.0" | -2.1 % |
| Revs per mile | 640 | 653 | +2.1 % |
| Axle height | 15.76" | 15.43" | -8.3 mm |
| Approved rim width | 9–12" | 9.5–12.5" | overlap 9.5–12" |
Both are approved on a rim 9.5" to 12" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 325/45R20. Fit 345/40R20 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.4 mph | -0.6 |
| 50 mph | 49.0 mph | -1.0 |
| 70 mph | 68.6 mph | -1.4 |
| 90 mph | 88.1 mph | -1.9 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,794 on the road, so it over-counts by 206. At a true 70 mph the first turns 747 times a minute, the second 762.