175/65R13 vs 165/70R13
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by +0.6 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 175/65R13 | 165/70R13 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 22.0" | 22.1" | +0.6 % |
| Sidewall | 4.48" | 4.55" | +1.5 % |
| Section width | 175 mm | 165 mm | -5.7 % |
| Circumference | 69.0" | 69.4" | +0.6 % |
| Revs per mile | 919 | 913 | -0.6 % |
| Axle height | 10.98" | 11.05" | +1.8 mm |
| Approved rim width | 5–6" | 4.5–6" | overlap 5–6" |
Both are approved on a rim 5" to 6" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.
What the speedometer will say
Calibrated for 175/65R13. Fit 165/70R13 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.2 mph | +0.2 |
| 50 mph | 50.3 mph | +0.3 |
| 70 mph | 70.4 mph | +0.4 |
| 90 mph | 90.6 mph | +0.6 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 10,063 on the road, so it under-counts by 63. At a true 70 mph the first turns 1072 times a minute, the second 1065.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 175/65R13. 165/70R13 carries 2.