CarSpecsHQ

285/35R20 vs 235/45R20

235/45R20 is a safe swap for 285/35R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.70%.

20" rim
285/35R20 27.85" · 235/45R20 28.33" · drawn to scale

Side by side

285/35R20235/45R20Difference
Overall diameter27.85"28.33"+0.47" (+1.70%)
Section width285 mm235 mm-50 mm
Sidewall3.93"4.16"+0.24"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference87.5"89.0"+1.5"
Revs per mile724712-12
Ride height——+0.24"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.0+1.0 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.0 mph

With 235/45R20 on a car calibrated for 285/35R20, the speedometer reads 59.0 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.7%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.5 mph
45 mph45.8 mph
60 mph61.0 mph
70 mph71.2 mph
80 mph81.4 mph

Other sizes close to 285/35R20

Questions

Can I replace 285/35R20 with 235/45R20?

235/45R20 is a safe swap for 285/35R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.70%.

What's the difference between 285/35R20 and 235/45R20?

235/45R20 is 0.47" taller and 50 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.24". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.0 mph.

Will 235/45R20 fit on 285/35R20 wheels?

Both use a 20" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 235 mm tire and the fender clearance.