CarSpecsHQ

285/35R18 vs 235/45R18

235/45R18 is a safe swap for 285/35R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.83%.

18" rim
285/35R18 25.85" · 235/45R18 26.33" · drawn to scale

Side by side

285/35R18235/45R18Difference
Overall diameter25.85"26.33"+0.47" (+1.83%)
Section width285 mm235 mm-50 mm
Sidewall3.93"4.16"+0.24"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference81.2"82.7"+1.5"
Revs per mile780766-14
Ride height——+0.24"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.1+1.1 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.1 mph

With 235/45R18 on a car calibrated for 285/35R18, the speedometer reads 58.9 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.8%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.5 mph
45 mph45.8 mph
60 mph61.1 mph
70 mph71.3 mph
80 mph81.5 mph

Other sizes close to 285/35R18

Questions

Can I replace 285/35R18 with 235/45R18?

235/45R18 is a safe swap for 285/35R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.83%.

What's the difference between 285/35R18 and 235/45R18?

235/45R18 is 0.47" taller and 50 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.24". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.1 mph.

Will 235/45R18 fit on 285/35R18 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.