CarSpecsHQ

315/40R21 vs 285/45R21

285/45R21 is a safe swap for 315/40R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.57%.

21" rim
315/40R21 30.92" · 285/45R21 31.10" · drawn to scale

Side by side

315/40R21285/45R21Difference
Overall diameter30.92"31.10"+0.18" (+0.57%)
Section width315 mm285 mm-30 mm
Sidewall4.96"5.05"+0.09"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference97.1"97.7"+0.6"
Revs per mile652649-4
Ride height——+0.09"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.3+0.3 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.3 mph

With 285/45R21 on a car calibrated for 315/40R21, the speedometer reads 59.7 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.6%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.2 mph
45 mph45.3 mph
60 mph60.3 mph
70 mph70.4 mph
80 mph80.5 mph

Other sizes close to 315/40R21

Questions

Can I replace 315/40R21 with 285/45R21?

285/45R21 is a safe swap for 315/40R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.57%.

What's the difference between 315/40R21 and 285/45R21?

285/45R21 is 0.18" taller and 30 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.09". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.3 mph.

Will 285/45R21 fit on 315/40R21 wheels?

Both use a 21" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 285 mm tire and the fender clearance.