335/45R18 vs 315/45R18
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -2.4 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 335/45R18 | 315/45R18 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 29.9" | 29.2" | -2.4 % |
| Sidewall | 5.94" | 5.58" | -6.0 % |
| Section width | 335 mm | 315 mm | -6.0 % |
| Circumference | 93.8" | 91.6" | -2.4 % |
| Revs per mile | 675 | 692 | +2.4 % |
| Axle height | 14.94" | 14.58" | -9.0 mm |
| Approved rim width | 9.5–12.5" | 8.5–11.5" | 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 335/45R18. Fit 315/45R18 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 | 68.3 mph | -1.7 |
| 90 mph | 87.9 mph | -2.1 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,763 on the road, so it over-counts by 237. At a true 70 mph the first turns 788 times a minute, the second 807.