CarSpecsHQ

235/45R20 vs 285/40R20

285/40R20 is a safe swap for 235/45R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.29%.

20" rim
235/45R20 28.33" · 285/40R20 28.98" · drawn to scale

Side by side

235/45R20285/40R20Difference
Overall diameter28.33"28.98"+0.65" (+2.29%)
Section width235 mm285 mm+50 mm
Sidewall4.16"4.49"+0.32"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference89.0"91.0"+2.0"
Revs per mile712696-16
Ride height——+0.32"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.4+1.4 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.4 mph

With 285/40R20 on a car calibrated for 235/45R20, the speedometer reads 58.7 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.3%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.7 mph
45 mph46.0 mph
60 mph61.4 mph
70 mph71.6 mph
80 mph81.8 mph

Other sizes close to 235/45R20

Questions

Can I replace 235/45R20 with 285/40R20?

285/40R20 is a safe swap for 235/45R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.29%.

What's the difference between 235/45R20 and 285/40R20?

285/40R20 is 0.65" taller and 50 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.32". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.4 mph.

Will 285/40R20 fit on 235/45R20 wheels?

Both use a 20" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 285 mm tire and the fender clearance.