185/80R13 vs 165/85R13
Going from one to the other changes the overall height by -2.5 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.
Side by side
| Measure | 185/80R13 | 165/85R13 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall height | 24.7" | 24.0" | -2.5 % |
| Sidewall | 5.83" | 5.52" | -5.2 % |
| Section width | 185 mm | 165 mm | -10.8 % |
| Circumference | 77.5" | 75.5" | -2.5 % |
| Revs per mile | 818 | 839 | +2.5 % |
| Axle height | 12.33" | 12.02" | -7.8 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 185/80R13. Fit 165/85R13 and the needle stops telling the truth.
| Needle says | You are doing | Out by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.3 mph | -0.7 |
| 50 mph | 48.8 mph | -1.2 |
| 70 mph | 68.3 mph | -1.7 |
| 90 mph | 87.8 mph | -2.2 |
The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 9,752 on the road, so it over-counts by 248. At a true 70 mph the first turns 954 times a minute, the second 979.
What drivers reported
185/80R13 carries 5 complaints. Nobody has filed one naming 165/85R13.