CarSpecsHQ

305/35R20 vs 285/40R20

285/40R20 is a safe swap for 305/35R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.01%.

20" rim
305/35R20 28.41" · 285/40R20 28.98" · drawn to scale

Side by side

305/35R20285/40R20Difference
Overall diameter28.41"28.98"+0.57" (+2.01%)
Section width305 mm285 mm-20 mm
Sidewall4.20"4.49"+0.29"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference89.2"91.0"+1.8"
Revs per mile710696-14
Ride height——+0.29"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.2+1.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.2 mph

With 285/40R20 on a car calibrated for 305/35R20, the speedometer reads 58.8 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.0%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.6 mph
45 mph45.9 mph
60 mph61.2 mph
70 mph71.4 mph
80 mph81.6 mph

Other sizes close to 305/35R20

Questions

Can I replace 305/35R20 with 285/40R20?

285/40R20 is a safe swap for 305/35R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.01%.

What's the difference between 305/35R20 and 285/40R20?

285/40R20 is 0.57" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.29". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.2 mph.

Will 285/40R20 fit on 305/35R20 wheels?

Both use a 20" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 285 mm tire and the fender clearance.