CarSpecsHQ

215/40R18 vs 235/40R18

235/40R18 is a safe swap for 215/40R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.54%.

18" rim
215/40R18 24.77" · 235/40R18 25.40" · drawn to scale

Side by side

215/40R18235/40R18Difference
Overall diameter24.77"25.40"+0.63" (+2.54%)
Section width215 mm235 mm+20 mm
Sidewall3.39"3.70"+0.31"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference77.8"79.8"+2.0"
Revs per mile814794-20
Ride height——+0.31"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.5+1.5 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.5 mph

With 235/40R18 on a car calibrated for 215/40R18, the speedometer reads 58.5 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.5%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.8 mph
45 mph46.1 mph
60 mph61.5 mph
70 mph71.8 mph
80 mph82.0 mph

Other sizes close to 215/40R18

Questions

Can I replace 215/40R18 with 235/40R18?

235/40R18 is a safe swap for 215/40R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.54%.

What's the difference between 215/40R18 and 235/40R18?

235/40R18 is 0.63" taller and 20 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.31". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.5 mph.

Will 235/40R18 fit on 215/40R18 wheels?

Both use a 18" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 235 mm tire and the fender clearance.