185/60R13 vs 165/70R13
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by +1.6 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 185/60R13 | 165/70R13 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 21.7" | 22.1" | +1.6 % |
| Sidewall | 4.37" | 4.55" | +4.1 % |
| Section width | 185 mm | 165 mm | -10.8 % |
| Circumference | 68.3" | 69.4" | +1.6 % |
| Revs per mile | 928 | 913 | -1.6 % |
| Axle height | 10.87" | 11.05" | +4.5 mm |
| Approved rim width | 5–6.5" | 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 185/60R13. Fit 165/70R13 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.5 mph | +0.5 |
| 50 mph | 50.8 mph | +0.8 |
| 70 mph | 71.1 mph | +1.1 |
| 90 mph | 91.5 mph | +1.5 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 10,163 on the road, so it under-counts by 163. At a true 70 mph the first turns 1082 times a minute, the second 1065.
What drivers reported
Nobody has filed a complaint naming 185/60R13. 165/70R13 carries 2.