CarSpecsHQ

285/35R18 vs 265/40R18

265/40R18 is a safe swap for 285/35R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.90%.

18" rim
285/35R18 25.85" · 265/40R18 26.35" · drawn to scale

Side by side

285/35R18265/40R18Difference
Overall diameter25.85"26.35"+0.49" (+1.90%)
Section width285 mm265 mm-20 mm
Sidewall3.93"4.17"+0.25"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference81.2"82.8"+1.5"
Revs per mile780765-15
Ride height——+0.25"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.1+1.1 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.1 mph

With 265/40R18 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 1.9%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.6 mph
45 mph45.9 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 265/40R18?

265/40R18 is a safe swap for 285/35R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.90%.

What's the difference between 285/35R18 and 265/40R18?

265/40R18 is 0.49" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.25". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.1 mph.

Will 265/40R18 fit on 285/35R18 wheels?

Both use a 18" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 265 mm tire and the fender clearance.