Tire Size 295/70r17 vs 285/70r17
The main difference between 295/70r17 and 285/70r17 tires is in the section width. The 295/70r17 tire size is about 0.39 inch wider than the 285/70r17 tire size.
This width difference impacts various performance factors like handling, fuel efficiency, noise levels, and off-road capability.
Fitment Guide
The 295/70r17 diameter is 1.7% larger than the 285/70r17, so both sizes could potentially replace one another without modifications. However, the wider 295 may still rub at full lock in some vehicles.
Gas Mileage
The thinner 285/70r17 tire has marginally less rolling resistance from its smaller contact patch, making it slightly more fuel-efficient.
Over long distances, this could amount to measurable fuel savings. However, the difference is generally relatively small between these sizes.
Ground Clearance
With a 1.7% larger overall diameter, the 295/70r17 offers 0.28 inch more ground clearance than the 285/70r17 size.
This modest increase can help prevent scrapes over rough terrain. But it also causes a 1.7% lower speedometer reading.
Ride Comfort
The extra cushioning from the 295/70r17’s additional sidewall height absorbs more road impacts, potentially providing a smoother ride over uneven surfaces. But both deliver comfortable on and off-road performance.
Aesthetics
Visually, the difference between these sizes is subtle. The 295/70r17 will have a slightly taller sidewall, giving it a vaguely “stretched” look. This appearance suits trucks and SUVs well but is ultimately just a minor variation.
Handling & Stability
The shorter sidewall of the 285/70r17 affords slightly crisper responsiveness and handling over the 295/70r17.
But the 295 offers somewhat better stability off-road from its extra sidewall flex. Either way, the differences here are modest at most.
Noise & Vibration
With more sidewall cushioning, the 295/70r17 dampens vibrations better, transmitting less road noise into the cabin. But expect only a minor reduction versus the 285/70r17 unless road conditions are very uneven.
Durability & Wear
The narrower 285/70r17 may potentially exhibit more even wear across its tread width as well as marginally longer tread life from lower rolling resistance. However, both sizes deliver plenty of mileage when appropriately maintained.
Adverse Conditions
Rain, snow, and off-road performance is comparable between these two sizes. The 0.28-inch increase in ground clearance gives the 295/70r17 a slight edge over obstacles, but the difference is small. Either can adeptly handle adverse conditions.
Speedometer Difference
At an actual speed of 20 mph, the speedometer reads 19.67 mph with 285/70r17 tires and 20.0 mph with 295/70r17s, owing to their 1.7% larger diameter. Expect a modest 0.33 mph speedometer discrepancy between these sizes.
Can I Replace 285/70r17 With 295/70r17?
Yes, you can replace 285/70R17 tires with 295/70R17 tires. The diameter difference between these two tire sizes is only 1.7%, which is less than the 3% difference typically recommended as the maximum when replacing tires.
With only a 1.7% difference in diameter, there should be negligible effects on gearing, speedometer/odometer accuracy, and vehicle handling when going from the smaller to the slightly larger tire size.
What Does 285/70r17 Mean?
The 285/70R17 tire size is equivalent to 32.8×11.2R17 in inches. The tire size 285/70R17 is widely used on many trucks, SUVs, and other larger vehicles. This tire size has the following dimensions and components:
- 285: This number indicates the tire’s width in millimeters, which is 285 mm for this tire size.
- 70: This number indicates the tire’s aspect ratio, which is the height of the tire’s sidewall as a percentage of its width. In this case, the sidewall height is 70% of the tire’s width.
- R: This letter stands for radial construction, the most common tire construction type nowadays.
- 17: This number represents the diameter of the wheel that the tire is designed to fit on in inches. Specifically, this tire size is designed to fit on a 17-inch wheel.
What Does 295/70r17 Mean?
The tire size 295/70r17 is equivalent to 33.3×11.6R17 in inches. The notation “295/70R17” refers to the size of a tire. Here’s a breakdown of what each part of the notation represents:
- 295: This number represents the width of the tire in millimeters. In this case, the tire is 295 millimeters wide.
- 70: This number is the aspect ratio, the ratio of the tire’s height to its width. In this example, the height is 70% of the tire’s width.
- R: This letter indicates that the tire has a radial construction. Most modern tires use radial construction.
- 17: This number represents the diameter of the wheel (rim) in inches. In this case, the tire is designed to fit a 17-inch wheel.
So, a tire with the size 295/70R17 is 295 millimeters wide, has an aspect ratio of 70%, features radial construction, and is designed to fit a 17-inch wheel.
How Much Wider Is A 295/70r17 Tire Than A 285/70r17?
The 295/70r17 tire is 3.4% wider than a 285/70R17 tire. Specifically, a 295/70R17 measures 11.61 inches (295mm) across, while a 285/70R17 measures 11.22 inches (285mm). So, the 295 tire is 0.39 inches (10mm) wider than the 285 tire.
How Much Taller Is A 295/70r17 Tire Than A 285/70R17?
The 295/70R17 tire is actually taller than the 285/70R17 tire by 0.55 inches. Precisely, the 295 tire measures 33.26 inches (844.8mm) in diameter, while the 285 tire is 32.71 inches (830.8mm).
So, the 295 tire is 0.55 inches (14mm) taller than the 285 tire, which is a difference of 1.7%.
What Size Rims Fit 295/70r17?
The appropriate rim sizes for 295/70r17 tires are 17 inches in diameter with a width range of 7.5 to 9.5 inches (LT Tires 7.5-9 inches).
What Size Rims Fit 285/70R17?
The tire size 285/70R17 is designed to fit specific rim sizes. The appropriate rim sizes for 285/70R17 tires are 17 inches in diameter with a width range of 7.5 to 9.5 inches (LT Tires 7.5-9 inches).
How Tall Is A 295/70r17 Tire?
The 295/70r17 tire has a diameter of 33.26 inches (844.8 mm). To put it another way, from the bead on one side to the bead on the other side, a 295/70r17 tire measures 33.26 inches tall.
How Big Is A 285/70R17 Tire?
The 285/70R17 tire has a diameter of 32.71 inches (830.8 mm). In other words, when measured from bead to opposite bead, the height of a 285/70R17 tire is 32.71 inches.
How Wide Is A 295/70R17 Tire?
The 295/70R17 tire measures 11.61 inches (295mm) in width. That means the distance from sidewall to sidewall across the tread face of a 295/70R17 tire is 11.61 inches wide.
How Wide Is A 285/70R17 Tire?
The 285/70r17 tire is 11.22 inches (285mm) wide. In other words, when measured from sidewall to sidewall perpendicular to the direction of travel, the tread width of a 285/70r17 tire is 11.22 inches.
Our Observation
Regarding the 295/70r17 and 285/70r17 tire sizes, differences in performance are generally minor. The 295/70r17 offers slightly better ride quality and off-road capability from its increased diameter and sidewall height.
Meanwhile, the 285/70r17 provides marginally better responsiveness and fuel economy owing to its shorter sidewall and smaller contact patch. For most drivers, real-world advantages between these two options are small.
Given the nearly identical overall performance, either tire size makes an excellent choice depending on individual vehicle fitment and intended driving conditions. For a balance of on-road dynamics and off-road potential, we recommend the 295/70r17 size.
Meet Caitlin McCormack, a Tire Size Expert and Blogger Passionate About Everything Related to Tires. With Years of Experience in the Tire Industry, Caitlin Has Become an Expert in Tire Sizes and Their Impact on Vehicle Performance.