CarSpecsHQ

275/35R18 vs 215/45R18

215/45R18 is a safe swap for 275/35R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.15%.

18" rim
275/35R18 25.58" · 215/45R18 25.62" · drawn to scale

Side by side

275/35R18215/45R18Difference
Overall diameter25.58"25.62"+0.04" (+0.15%)
Section width275 mm215 mm-60 mm
Sidewall3.79"3.81"+0.02"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference80.4"80.5"+0.1"
Revs per mile788787-1
Ride height——+0.02"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.1+0.1 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.1 mph

With 215/45R18 on a car calibrated for 275/35R18, the speedometer reads 59.9 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.2%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.0 mph
45 mph45.1 mph
60 mph60.1 mph
70 mph70.1 mph
80 mph80.1 mph

Other sizes close to 275/35R18

Questions

Can I replace 275/35R18 with 215/45R18?

215/45R18 is a safe swap for 275/35R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.15%.

What's the difference between 275/35R18 and 215/45R18?

215/45R18 is 0.04" taller and 60 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.02". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.1 mph.

Will 215/45R18 fit on 275/35R18 wheels?

Both use a 18" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 215 mm tire and the fender clearance.