155/70R13 vs 165/65R13
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -0.5 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 155/70R13 | 165/65R13 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 21.5" | 21.4" | -0.5 % |
| Sidewall | 4.27" | 4.22" | -1.2 % |
| Section width | 155 mm | 165 mm | +6.5 % |
| Circumference | 67.7" | 67.4" | -0.5 % |
| Revs per mile | 936 | 940 | +0.5 % |
| Axle height | 10.77" | 10.72" | -1.3 mm |
| Approved rim width | 4–5.5" | 4.5–6" | overlap 4.5–5.5" |
Both are approved on a rim 4.5" to 5.5" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 155/70R13. Fit 165/65R13 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.9 mph | -0.1 |
| 50 mph | 49.8 mph | -0.2 |
| 70 mph | 69.7 mph | -0.3 |
| 90 mph | 89.6 mph | -0.4 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,954 on the road, so it over-counts by 46. At a true 70 mph the first turns 1092 times a minute, the second 1097.