CarSpecsHQ

245/45R21 vs 285/40R21

285/40R21 is a safe swap for 245/45R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.99%.

21" rim
245/45R21 29.68" · 285/40R21 29.98" · drawn to scale

Side by side

245/45R21285/40R21Difference
Overall diameter29.68"29.98"+0.30" (+0.99%)
Section width245 mm285 mm+40 mm
Sidewall4.34"4.49"+0.15"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference93.2"94.2"+0.9"
Revs per mile679673-7
Ride height——+0.15"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.6+0.6 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.6 mph

With 285/40R21 on a car calibrated for 245/45R21, the speedometer reads 59.4 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.0%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.3 mph
45 mph45.4 mph
60 mph60.6 mph
70 mph70.7 mph
80 mph80.8 mph

Other sizes close to 245/45R21

Questions

Can I replace 245/45R21 with 285/40R21?

285/40R21 is a safe swap for 245/45R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.99%.

What's the difference between 245/45R21 and 285/40R21?

285/40R21 is 0.30" taller and 40 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.15". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.6 mph.

Will 285/40R21 fit on 245/45R21 wheels?

Both use a 21" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 285 mm tire and the fender clearance.