CarSpecsHQ

235/45R18 vs 265/40R18

265/40R18 is a safe swap for 235/45R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.07%.

18" rim
235/45R18 26.33" · 265/40R18 26.35" · drawn to scale

Side by side

235/45R18265/40R18Difference
Overall diameter26.33"26.35"+0.02" (+0.07%)
Section width235 mm265 mm+30 mm
Sidewall4.16"4.17"+0.01"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference82.7"82.8"+0.1"
Revs per mile766765-1
Ride height——+0.01"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.0+0.0 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.0 mph

With 265/40R18 on a car calibrated for 235/45R18, the speedometer reads 60.0 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.1%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.0 mph
45 mph45.0 mph
60 mph60.0 mph
70 mph70.1 mph
80 mph80.1 mph

Other sizes close to 235/45R18

Questions

Can I replace 235/45R18 with 265/40R18?

265/40R18 is a safe swap for 235/45R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.07%.

What's the difference between 235/45R18 and 265/40R18?

265/40R18 is 0.02" taller and 30 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.01". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.0 mph.

Will 265/40R18 fit on 235/45R18 wheels?

Both use a 18" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 265 mm tire and the fender clearance.