+1.15%Safe swap — speedometer error is minor
Speedometer error
With a speedometer calibrated to 275/45R21, fitting 285/45R21 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 | 60.7 km/h | 37 mph | 38 mph |
| 80 km/h | 80.9 km/h | 50 mph | 50 mph |
| 100 km/h | 101.2 km/h | 62 mph | 63 mph |
| 120 km/h | 121.4 km/h | 75 mph | 75 mph |
Full comparison
275/45R21
Overall diameter780.9 mm · 30.74 in
Section width275 mm · 10.83 in
Sidewall height123.8 mm · 4.87 in
Circumference2453.3 mm · 96.6 in
Revolutions per mile656
Revolutions per km408
285/45R21
Overall diameter789.9 mm · 31.10 in
Section width285 mm · 11.22 in
Sidewall height128.3 mm · 5.05 in
Circumference2481.5 mm · 97.7 in
Revolutions per mile649
Revolutions per km403
+1.15%Safe swap — speedometer error is minor
Original
Overall diameter780.9 mm · 30.74 in
Sidewall height123.8 mm
Circumference2,453.3 mm
Revolutions / mile656
New
Overall diameter789.9 mm · 31.1 in
Sidewall height128.3 mm
Circumference2,481.5 mm
Revolutions / mile648.5
Speedometer & odometer error
The new tire changes overall diameter by +1.15%. 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 | 60.7 km/h | 37 mph | 38 mph |
| 80 km/h | 80.9 km/h | 50 mph | 50 mph |
| 100 km/h | 101.2 km/h | 62 mph | 63 mph |
| 120 km/h | 121.4 km/h | 75 mph | 75 mph |
See individual specs: 275/45R21 · 285/45R21. A change this size can affect ABS/speed calibration — see wheel-speed codes if a light appears.