CarSpecsHQ

305/40R20 vs 285/45R20

285/45R20 is a safe swap for 305/40R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.66%.

20" rim
305/40R20 29.61" · 285/45R20 30.10" · drawn to scale

Side by side

305/40R20285/45R20Difference
Overall diameter29.61"30.10"+0.49" (+1.66%)
Section width305 mm285 mm-20 mm
Sidewall4.80"5.05"+0.25"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference93.0"94.6"+1.5"
Revs per mile681670-11
Ride height——+0.25"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.0+1.0 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.0 mph

With 285/45R20 on a car calibrated for 305/40R20, 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 mph45.7 mph
60 mph61.0 mph
70 mph71.2 mph
80 mph81.3 mph

Other sizes close to 305/40R20

Questions

Can I replace 305/40R20 with 285/45R20?

285/45R20 is a safe swap for 305/40R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.66%.

What's the difference between 305/40R20 and 285/45R20?

285/45R20 is 0.49" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.25". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.0 mph.

Will 285/45R20 fit on 305/40R20 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.