CarSpecsHQ

235/45R17 vs 275/40R17

275/40R17 is a safe swap for 235/45R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.32%.

17" rim
235/45R17 25.33" · 275/40R17 25.66" · drawn to scale

Side by side

235/45R17275/40R17Difference
Overall diameter25.33"25.66"+0.33" (+1.32%)
Section width235 mm275 mm+40 mm
Sidewall4.16"4.33"+0.17"
Rim17"17"same
Circumference79.6"80.6"+1.1"
Revs per mile796786-10
Ride height——+0.17"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.8+0.8 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.8 mph

With 275/40R17 on a car calibrated for 235/45R17, the speedometer reads 59.2 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.3%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.4 mph
45 mph45.6 mph
60 mph60.8 mph
70 mph70.9 mph
80 mph81.1 mph

Other sizes close to 235/45R17

Questions

Can I replace 235/45R17 with 275/40R17?

275/40R17 is a safe swap for 235/45R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.32%.

What's the difference between 235/45R17 and 275/40R17?

275/40R17 is 0.33" taller and 40 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.17". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.8 mph.

Will 275/40R17 fit on 235/45R17 wheels?

Both use a 17" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 275 mm tire and the fender clearance.