+1.32%Safe swap — speedometer error is minor
Speedometer error
With a speedometer calibrated to 205/50R17, fitting 235/40R18 makes it read as follows:
| Speedo shows | True speed | Speedo shows | True speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 km/h | 40.5 km/h | 25 mph | 25 mph |
| 60 km/h | 60.8 km/h | 37 mph | 38 mph |
| 80 km/h | 81.1 km/h | 50 mph | 50 mph |
| 100 km/h | 101.3 km/h | 62 mph | 63 mph |
| 120 km/h | 121.6 km/h | 75 mph | 76 mph |
Full comparison
205/50R17
Overall diameter636.8 mm · 25.07 in
Section width205 mm · 8.07 in
Sidewall height102.5 mm · 4.04 in
Circumference2000.6 mm · 78.8 in
Revolutions per mile804
Revolutions per km500
235/40R18
Overall diameter645.2 mm · 25.40 in
Section width235 mm · 9.25 in
Sidewall height94.0 mm · 3.70 in
Circumference2027.0 mm · 79.8 in
Revolutions per mile794
Revolutions per km493
+1.32%Safe swap — speedometer error is minor
Original
Overall diameter636.8 mm · 25.07 in
Sidewall height102.5 mm
Circumference2,000.6 mm
Revolutions / mile804.4
New
Overall diameter645.2 mm · 25.4 in
Sidewall height94 mm
Circumference2,027 mm
Revolutions / mile794
Speedometer & odometer error
The new tire changes overall diameter by +1.32%. With a speedometer calibrated to the original tire, that same percentage is how far the speedometer and odometer read off — a taller tire means your true speed is higher than indicated and the odometer under-counts distance.
| Speedo shows | True speed | Speedo shows | True speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 km/h | 40.5 km/h | 25 mph | 25 mph |
| 60 km/h | 60.8 km/h | 37 mph | 38 mph |
| 80 km/h | 81.1 km/h | 50 mph | 50 mph |
| 100 km/h | 101.3 km/h | 62 mph | 63 mph |
| 120 km/h | 121.6 km/h | 75 mph | 76 mph |
See individual specs: 205/50R17 · 235/40R18. A change this size can affect ABS/speed calibration — see wheel-speed codes if a light appears.