CarSpecsHQ

215/45R18 vs 235/45R18

235/45R18 is a safe swap for 215/45R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.77%.

18" rim
215/45R18 25.62" · 235/45R18 26.33" · drawn to scale

Side by side

215/45R18235/45R18Difference
Overall diameter25.62"26.33"+0.71" (+2.77%)
Section width215 mm235 mm+20 mm
Sidewall3.81"4.16"+0.35"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference80.5"82.7"+2.2"
Revs per mile787766-21
Ride height——+0.35"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.7+1.7 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.7 mph

With 235/45R18 on a car calibrated for 215/45R18, the speedometer reads 58.4 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.8%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.8 mph
45 mph46.2 mph
60 mph61.7 mph
70 mph71.9 mph
80 mph82.2 mph

Other sizes close to 215/45R18

Questions

Can I replace 215/45R18 with 235/45R18?

235/45R18 is a safe swap for 215/45R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.77%.

What's the difference between 215/45R18 and 235/45R18?

235/45R18 is 0.71" taller and 20 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.35". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.7 mph.

Will 235/45R18 fit on 215/45R18 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.