CarSpecsHQ

285/30R18 vs 235/40R18

235/40R18 is a safe swap for 285/30R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.71%.

18" rim
285/30R18 24.73" · 235/40R18 25.40" · drawn to scale

Side by side

285/30R18235/40R18Difference
Overall diameter24.73"25.40"+0.67" (+2.71%)
Section width285 mm235 mm-50 mm
Sidewall3.37"3.70"+0.33"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference77.7"79.8"+2.1"
Revs per mile815794-21
Ride height——+0.33"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.6+1.6 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.6 mph

With 235/40R18 on a car calibrated for 285/30R18, the speedometer reads 58.4 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.7%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.8 mph
45 mph46.2 mph
60 mph61.6 mph
70 mph71.9 mph
80 mph82.2 mph

Other sizes close to 285/30R18

Questions

Can I replace 285/30R18 with 235/40R18?

235/40R18 is a safe swap for 285/30R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.71%.

What's the difference between 285/30R18 and 235/40R18?

235/40R18 is 0.67" taller and 50 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.33". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.6 mph.

Will 235/40R18 fit on 285/30R18 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.