CarSpecsHQ

235/40R18 vs 215/45R18

215/45R18 is a safe swap for 235/40R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.85%.

18" rim
235/40R18 25.40" · 215/45R18 25.62" · drawn to scale

Side by side

235/40R18215/45R18Difference
Overall diameter25.40"25.62"+0.22" (+0.85%)
Section width235 mm215 mm-20 mm
Sidewall3.70"3.81"+0.11"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference79.8"80.5"+0.7"
Revs per mile794787-7
Ride height——+0.11"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.5+0.5 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.5 mph

With 215/45R18 on a car calibrated for 235/40R18, the speedometer reads 59.5 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.9%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.3 mph
45 mph45.4 mph
60 mph60.5 mph
70 mph70.6 mph
80 mph80.7 mph

Other sizes close to 235/40R18

Questions

Can I replace 235/40R18 with 215/45R18?

215/45R18 is a safe swap for 235/40R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.85%.

What's the difference between 235/40R18 and 215/45R18?

215/45R18 is 0.22" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.11". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.5 mph.

Will 215/45R18 fit on 235/40R18 wheels?

Both use a 18" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 215 mm tire and the fender clearance.