CarSpecsHQ

255/35R18 vs 245/40R18

245/40R18 is a safe swap for 255/35R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.75%.

18" rim
255/35R18 25.03" · 245/40R18 25.72" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/35R18245/40R18Difference
Overall diameter25.03"25.72"+0.69" (+2.75%)
Section width255 mm245 mm-10 mm
Sidewall3.51"3.86"+0.34"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference78.6"80.8"+2.2"
Revs per mile806784-22
Ride height——+0.34"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.7+1.7 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.7 mph

With 245/40R18 on a car calibrated for 255/35R18, the speedometer reads 58.4 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.8%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.8 mph
45 mph46.2 mph
60 mph61.7 mph
70 mph71.9 mph
80 mph82.2 mph

Other sizes close to 255/35R18

Questions

Can I replace 255/35R18 with 245/40R18?

245/40R18 is a safe swap for 255/35R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.75%.

What's the difference between 255/35R18 and 245/40R18?

245/40R18 is 0.69" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.34". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.7 mph.

Will 245/40R18 fit on 255/35R18 wheels?

Both use a 18" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 245 mm tire and the fender clearance.