CarSpecsHQ

255/40R18 vs 235/45R18

235/45R18 is a safe swap for 255/40R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.13%.

18" rim
255/40R18 26.03" · 235/45R18 26.33" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/40R18235/45R18Difference
Overall diameter26.03"26.33"+0.30" (+1.13%)
Section width255 mm235 mm-20 mm
Sidewall4.02"4.16"+0.15"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference81.8"82.7"+0.9"
Revs per mile775766-9
Ride height——+0.15"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.7+0.7 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.7 mph

With 235/45R18 on a car calibrated for 255/40R18, the speedometer reads 59.3 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.1%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.3 mph
45 mph45.5 mph
60 mph60.7 mph
70 mph70.8 mph
80 mph80.9 mph

Other sizes close to 255/40R18

Questions

Can I replace 255/40R18 with 235/45R18?

235/45R18 is a safe swap for 255/40R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.13%.

What's the difference between 255/40R18 and 235/45R18?

235/45R18 is 0.30" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.15". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.7 mph.

Will 235/45R18 fit on 255/40R18 wheels?

Both use a 18" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 235 mm tire and the fender clearance.