Question 1

Which tire is taller, 265/40 R21 or 275/35 R21?

Accepted Answer

265/40 R21 is taller by 19.5 mm (2.62%) compared with 275/35 R21.

Question 2

What is the diameter difference between 265/40 R21 and 275/35 R21?

Accepted Answer

265/40 R21 measures 745 mm overall diameter, 275/35 R21 measures 726 mm — a difference of 19.5 mm (2.62%).

Question 3

How much speedometer error does this change create?

Accepted Answer

Switching from 265/40 R21 to 275/35 R21 changes the speedometer reading by -2.62%. At an indicated 100 km/h, your true speed becomes about 97.4 km/h.

Question 4

Is 275/35 R21 a safe replacement for 265/40 R21?

Accepted Answer

Within ±3% diameter — generally considered a safe replacement from a speedometer-error standpoint, provided wheel offset, rim width and clearance also match your vehicle.

Question 5

What else should I check before changing tire size?

Accepted Answer

Beyond diameter and speedometer error, verify wheel offset (ET), rim width, hub bore, load index, brake and suspension clearance, and your vehicle's manufacturer specification. Local regulations may also limit how far you can deviate from OEM.

Metric	265/40 R21	275/35 R21	Difference
Overall diameter	745.4 mm	725.9 mm	-19.5 mm (-2.62%)
Sidewall height	106.0 mm	96.3 mm	-9.8 mm
Circumference	2.342 m	2.280 m	-61.3 mm
Revs / km	427.0	438.5	+11.5
Ground clearance	reference	-9.8 mm	-9.8 mm
Speedometer @ 100 km/h	100.0 km/h	97.4 km/h	-2.62 km/h

265/40 R21 vs 275/35 R21

Detailed comparison

Verdict: excellent

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