CarSpecsHQ

285/30R18 vs 255/35R18

255/35R18 is a safe swap for 285/30R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.19%.

18" rim
285/30R18 24.73" · 255/35R18 25.03" · drawn to scale

Side by side

285/30R18255/35R18Difference
Overall diameter24.73"25.03"+0.30" (+1.19%)
Section width285 mm255 mm-30 mm
Sidewall3.37"3.51"+0.15"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference77.7"78.6"+0.9"
Revs per mile815806-10
Ride height——+0.15"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.7+0.7 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.7 mph

With 255/35R18 on a car calibrated for 285/30R18, the speedometer reads 59.3 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.2%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.4 mph
45 mph45.5 mph
60 mph60.7 mph
70 mph70.8 mph
80 mph81.0 mph

Other sizes close to 285/30R18

Questions

Can I replace 285/30R18 with 255/35R18?

255/35R18 is a safe swap for 285/30R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.19%.

What's the difference between 285/30R18 and 255/35R18?

255/35R18 is 0.30" taller and 30 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.15". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.7 mph.

Will 255/35R18 fit on 285/30R18 wheels?

Both use a 18" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 255 mm tire and the fender clearance.