Legal tyre sizes in Australia depend on your vehicle type (passenger vs. 4WD) and must stay within manufacturer-approved variations, generally allowing a slight increase in overall diameter (+15mm for cars, +50mm for 4WDs) and a small increase in width, but the key is to check the tyre placard on your car and maintain speedometer accuracy, with all modifications needing to meet ADR standards.
The maximum width of any replacement wheel cannot be more than 15mm wider (or 26mm thinner) than the widest wheel specified by the manufacturer for that vehicle or model. The maximum tyre width allowed is 1.3 times the width of the largest optional tyre offered by the manufacturer.
2mm tyres are considered unsafe and are nearing the legal limit of 1.6mm, meaning you only have 0.4mm of tread left before you're on the line of being legal/illeagal to have those badly worn tyres on your car. If you find yourself at this stage, we recommend getting them changed as soon as possible.
If the OEM tyre size is within 50mm of a 35 inch tyre, then you should be able to legally run 35 inch tyres. Most 4WD's come out with 31 inch tyres, and occasionally 33 inch tyres so running 35's legally is not often simple.
The total outer diameter of your new wheels and tyres can't change too much, or your speedometer will be inaccurate. An increase of 15mm is allowed for passenger vehicles, or 4WDs can increase tyre diameter by up to 50mm. In all cases, you can reduce the outer diameter of your tyres by up to 26mm and stay legal.
In Queensland (QLD), a 2-inch (50mm) lift with 33-inch tyres can be legal, but it depends on your original tyre size and the combined lift, generally requiring a total lift under 75mm without certification; 33s usually give about 25mm lift, fitting within the 50mm suspension + 25mm tyre rule, but you must verify your stock size and ensure your final overall height increase stays under the Queensland Code of Practice limits, potentially requiring engineering if you exceed 75mm total lift.
No, 285 tires and 33-inch tires are not inherently the same; 285 refers to the tire's width in millimeters, while 33 refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter in inches, meaning a 285 tire can be a different height depending on its other numbers (like 285/70R17), but a 285/70R17 is very close to 33 inches tall, making them often interchangeable or considered equivalent in off-road communities.
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A: The 295/60R20 is only 11.62 wide and 33.94 tall. The 295 will also hold more weight. The 35 has a maximum load of 3195 and the 295 has a maximum load of 3750.
The "3% tire rule" is a guideline for replacing tires, stating that the new tire's overall diameter should not vary more than ±3% from the original to maintain speedometer accuracy, proper handling, and function of safety systems like ABS and traction control. Going outside this range can cause speedometer errors, clearance issues, and strain on the engine and transmission, while a separate (and false) "3-tire rule" rumor suggests insurance won't cover vandalism if only three tires are damaged.
How long will 3mm tyre tread last? The average tyre with 3mm of tread can expect around 10,000-15,000 miles before needing replaced. Make sure to check your tyres regularly though. As this will fluctuate based on your specific tyres and the factors mentioned before.
If you don't have a tyre tread gauge, you can still see if your tyres meet tyre tread legal requirements by simply using a 20 pence piece. As the outer edge of a 20p coin is about 2mm, when it's inserted into the tread grooves across the central ¾ of the tyre, you can instantly see if the outer edge is visible or not.
Some tire experts contend that tires can last anywhere from six to ten years if they're stored and cared for properly. We recommend replacing tires aged 6-10 years, no matter how much tread remains. When it comes to replacing tires, things can be a little unpredictable.
The "7 7 rule" for tires is a guideline for seasonal tire changes: install winter tires when temperatures consistently drop to 7°C (45°F) or below for seven days, and switch back to all-season/summer tires in spring after seven consecutive days above 7°C, because tire rubber compounds perform best at specific temperatures for grip and wear. Below 7°C, winter tires offer better traction; above 7°C, all-season/summer tires are safer and wear less.
Fitting bigger tyres to your car without making sure they're the right size can throw off your speedometer and affect your handling, making it unsafe and illegal.
When changing tire sizes, we recommend staying within 3% of the diameter/height of the original tire. Any more than this and you face the risk of brake failure.
As we've seen, 35-inch tires are a versatile option that provides a fantastic boost for off-road enjoyment without making daily driving difficult or necessitating significant vehicle modifications. They do a good job of striking that balance, so that's why they're popular.
305/70R18 tires have a diameter of 34.8" (885 mm), a tread width of 12" (305 mm), and a wheel diameter of 18" (457.2 mm). The sidewall of the tire is 8.4" (214 mm), and the tire's circumference is 109.3" (2778.9 mm). This means a 305/70R18 tire will make make 580 revolutions per mile, or 360 revolutions per kilometer.
On average, if your truck isn't lifted, you can fit tires up to 33”.
In Queensland (QLD), 33-inch tyres might be legal on some 4WDs, but it depends entirely on your specific vehicle's original tyre size and compliance plate; you're generally allowed up to a 50mm (approx. 2 inches) increase in overall tyre diameter from the factory size without needing engineering, but anything beyond that usually requires official certification and modifications (like suspension/body lifts) to remain roadworthy, as police look at your vehicle's placard.
What do 275 vs 285 Tires Mean? The numbers 275 or 285 refer to the width of the tire in millimeters. So, a 275 tire is 275mm wide, and a 285 tire is 285mm wide. That 10mm difference affects grip, handling, fuel consumption, and the amount of space the tire occupies under your fender.
A common misconception about 32″ Mud-Terrain tires is that they aren't big enough for practical off-road use. Up-sizing tires on your truck or SUV isn't required to achieve an aggressive look or to perform on the trails.
No, a 265/70R17 tire is not a 33-inch tire; it's closer to a 32-inch tire, with an actual diameter of about 31.6 inches, making it smaller than a true 33-inch tire like a 285/70R17. While some retailers might group it in the "33-inch" category, you'll need a taller tire (like a 285/70R17 or a specific 33x12.50R17) to reach the 33-inch mark for clearance or performance, say Performance Plus Tire.
Performance: 33 vs. 35 tires side by side, the larger tires offer more clearance for rocks, ruts, and mud, but add more weight and rolling resistance. Visual Effect: 35-inch tires create road presence with their bolder looks while the 33s provide a more muscular yet slightly milder stance.