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235/45R20 vs 245/50R20

245/50R20 is outside the ±3% rule as a replacement for 235/45R20: the diameter differs by +4.66%, so the speedometer, odometer and ABS calibration will be off and clearance needs checking.

20" rim
235/45R20 28.33" · 245/50R20 29.65" · drawn to scale

Side by side

235/45R20245/50R20Difference
Overall diameter28.33"29.65"+1.32" (+4.66%)
Section width235 mm245 mm+10 mm
Sidewall4.16"4.82"+0.66"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference89.0"93.1"+4.1"
Revs per mile712680-32
Ride height——+0.66"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.062.8+2.8 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 62.8 mph

With 245/50R20 on a car calibrated for 235/45R20, the speedometer reads 57.3 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 4.7%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph31.4 mph
45 mph47.1 mph
60 mph62.8 mph
70 mph73.3 mph
80 mph83.7 mph

Other sizes close to 235/45R20

Questions

Can I replace 235/45R20 with 245/50R20?

245/50R20 is outside the ±3% rule as a replacement for 235/45R20: the diameter differs by +4.66%, so the speedometer, odometer and ABS calibration will be off and clearance needs checking.

What's the difference between 235/45R20 and 245/50R20?

245/50R20 is 1.32" taller and 10 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.66". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 62.8 mph.

Will 245/50R20 fit on 235/45R20 wheels?

Both use a 20" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 245 mm tire and the fender clearance.