Comparison

255/40 R18 vs 275/40 R18

On the same 18-inch wheel, 275/40 R18 grows the section width by 20 mm versus 255/40 R18. This setup trims or stretches rolling diameter by a small margin. Extra width broadens the footprint for more grip, but check inner liner and strut clearance before fitting.

The speedometer offset is small but measurable; worth keeping in mind if you watch the dash closely. Diameter change stays inside the conservative ±3% safety window — an OEM-safe fitment on most vehicles.

TakeReasonable performance-leaning swap as long as fender and suspension clearance check out.

Quick math: 275/40 R18 is 16.0 mm taller than 255/40 R18, shifting the speedometer by +2.42%.

Current Tire

255/40R18

New Tire

275/40R18
255/40 R18
275/40 R18

Ground line · scaled comparison

Excellent Fit

Within ±3% — safe for daily driving

Diameter change

+16.0 mm

2.42%

Speedometer at 100

102.4 km/h

+2.42% error

Ground clearance

+8.0 mm

ride height delta

Sidewall change

+8.0 mm

revs/km: 470.0

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Detailed comparison

Metric255/40 R18275/40 R18Difference
Overall diameter661.2 mm677.2 mm+16.0 mm (+2.42%)
Sidewall height102.0 mm110.0 mm+8.0 mm
Circumference2.077 m2.127 m+50.3 mm
Revs / km481.4470.0-11.4
Ground clearancereference+8.0 mm+8.0 mm
Speedometer @ 100 km/h100.0 km/h102.4 km/h+2.42 km/h

Verdict: excellent

Within ±3% — speedometer, ABS and traction control should behave normally.

Speedometer impact

At a true 100 km/h, your dashboard will read 102.4 km/h after switching to 275/40 R18 — a +2.42% offset. Use the speedometer error calculator to recheck for other indicated speeds, and the speedometer error guide for the full background.

Ground clearance change

The new tire's half-diameter changes ride height by +8.0 mm. Small differences are absorbed by suspension travel, but anything beyond ±10 mm can affect headlight aim, fender clearance and bump-stop margin. See the plus-sizing guide before committing.

Back to

255/40 R18

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275/40 R18

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