CarSpecsHQ

235/45R20 vs 275/45R20

275/45R20 is outside the ±3% rule as a replacement for 235/45R20: the diameter differs by +5.00%, so the speedometer, odometer and ABS calibration will be off and clearance needs checking.

20" rim
235/45R20 28.33" · 275/45R20 29.74" · drawn to scale

Side by side

235/45R20275/45R20Difference
Overall diameter28.33"29.74"+1.42" (+5.00%)
Section width235 mm275 mm+40 mm
Sidewall4.16"4.87"+0.71"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference89.0"93.4"+4.5"
Revs per mile712678-34
Ride height——+0.71"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.063.0+3.0 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 63.0 mph

With 275/45R20 on a car calibrated for 235/45R20, the speedometer reads 57.1 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 5.0%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph31.5 mph
45 mph47.3 mph
60 mph63.0 mph
70 mph73.5 mph
80 mph84.0 mph

Other sizes close to 235/45R20

Questions

Can I replace 235/45R20 with 275/45R20?

275/45R20 is outside the ±3% rule as a replacement for 235/45R20: the diameter differs by +5.00%, so the speedometer, odometer and ABS calibration will be off and clearance needs checking.

What's the difference between 235/45R20 and 275/45R20?

275/45R20 is 1.42" taller and 40 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.71". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 63.0 mph.

Will 275/45R20 fit on 235/45R20 wheels?

Both use a 20" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 275 mm tire and the fender clearance.