CarSpecsHQ

245/40R20 vs 235/45R20

235/45R20 is a safe swap for 245/40R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.20%.

20" rim
245/40R20 27.72" · 235/45R20 28.33" · drawn to scale

Side by side

245/40R20235/45R20Difference
Overall diameter27.72"28.33"+0.61" (+2.20%)
Section width245 mm235 mm-10 mm
Sidewall3.86"4.16"+0.31"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference87.1"89.0"+1.9"
Revs per mile728712-16
Ride height——+0.31"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.3+1.3 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.3 mph

With 235/45R20 on a car calibrated for 245/40R20, the speedometer reads 58.7 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.2%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.7 mph
45 mph46.0 mph
60 mph61.3 mph
70 mph71.5 mph
80 mph81.8 mph

Other sizes close to 245/40R20

Questions

Can I replace 245/40R20 with 235/45R20?

235/45R20 is a safe swap for 245/40R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.20%.

What's the difference between 245/40R20 and 235/45R20?

235/45R20 is 0.61" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.31". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.3 mph.

Will 235/45R20 fit on 245/40R20 wheels?

Both use a 20" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 235 mm tire and the fender clearance.