13-inch rim · tyre size comparison
155/80 R13 vs 175/70 R13
175/70 R13 is 3 mm (0.12 in) shorter than 155/80 R13, a -0.52% difference in overall diameter. That is well inside the ±3% limit commonly used to screen a tire size change; it is a nominal calculation, not a fitment approval.
- Diameter difference
- -3 mm
- -0.12 in · -0.52%
- Indicated 70 mph
- 69.6 mph
- Actual speed on 175/70 R13, if the speedometer was accurate on 155/80 R13.
- Sidewall height
- -1.5 mm
- 124 mm to 122.5 mm.
Dimensions side by side
| Measurement | 155/80 R13 | 175/70 R13 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 578.2 mm22.76 in | 575.2 mm22.65 in | -3 mm (-0.52%)-0.12 in |
| Section width | 155 mm6.1 in | 175 mm6.89 in | +20 mm+0.79 in |
| Sidewall height | 124 mm4.88 in | 122.5 mm4.82 in | -1.5 mm-0.06 in |
| Circumference | 1,816.47 mm71.51 in | 1,807.04 mm71.14 in | -9.42 mm-0.37 in |
| Rim diameter | 330.2 mm13 in | 330.2 mm13 in | 0 mm0 in |
| Revolutions per mile | 885.97 | 890.59 | +4.62 |
| Revolutions per km | 550.52 | 553.39 | +2.87 |
Calculated from the nominal size codes, without load or tread wear. Real tyres vary by model, rim width and pressure, so the exact tyre's published dimensions take priority.
Speedometer with 175/70 R13
If the speedometer was accurate on 155/80 R13, fitting 175/70 R13 means the car is travelling 0.52% slower than it shows, and the odometer over-records distance by about the same amount.
| Speedometer shows | Actual on 175/70 R13 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.84 mph | -0.16 mph |
| 50 mph | 49.74 mph | -0.26 mph |
| 60 mph | 59.69 mph | -0.31 mph |
| 70 mph | 69.64 mph | -0.36 mph |
| 50 km/h | 49.74 km/h | -0.26 km/h |
| 100 km/h | 99.48 km/h | -0.52 km/h |
UN ECE Regulation 39, used in the UK and EU, does not allow a speedometer to show less than the true speed, so many read slightly high from the factory. A shorter tyre adds to it. Calibration varies by car; these figures are the tyre-size effect only.
What changes from 155/80 R13 to 175/70 R13
Wheels
Both fit 13-inch wheels. Our rim-width starting estimate is 4 to 5 inches for 155/80 R13 and 4.5 to 5.5 inches for 175/70 R13, so a 4.5 to 5-inch wheel sits in both ranges. The exact tyre's approved rim range takes priority.
Sidewall and ride comfort
Sidewall height differs by only 1.5 mm (124 vs 122.5 mm), so ride comfort and steering feel will depend more on the tyre model and pressures than on the size.
Contact width
175/70 R13 is 20 mm wider in nominal section width (12.9%). A wider tyre usually puts a wider, shorter contact patch on the road, which can help dry grip, but it may follow ruts more, clear standing water less readily and add some rolling resistance.
Wheel well clearance
Ride height changes by about -1.5 mm, and the top of the tyre moves the same distance away from the arch. On the same wheel width and offset, each sidewall moves about 10 mm further out towards the arch lip and further in towards the suspension. Check clearance at full steering lock and full suspension compression, especially on a lowered car.
Gearing
The effective final drive changes by +0.52%: 3,000 rpm at a given road speed becomes about 3,020 rpm. Gearing gets slightly shorter, so acceleration in each gear sharpens and cruising revs rise.
ABS, stability control and AWD
These systems compare wheel speeds. Fit the same size on both ends of an axle, and follow the car maker's rolling-circumference limits, which can be much tighter than 3%.
General tendencies from the nominal numbers, not a test of any tyre. Load index, speed rating, tyre construction and the car's approved sizes matter more than these rules of thumb.
Explained in our guides
- Plus-sizing wheels: tyre diameter and speedometer changesWork through a 17 to 18 inch wheel change, compare tyre diameters and speedometer effects, and understand why a 3% rule cannot approve fitment.
- Staggered vs square wheels: tyres, rotation and AWDCompare square and staggered wheel setups, calculate front-to-rear tyre diameter, and understand rotation limits and all-wheel-drive requirements.
- How to read a tyre size, load index and sidewall markingsDecode tyre width, aspect ratio, rim diameter, load and speed markings, then calculate sidewall height and diameter using a 225/45 R17 example.
Cars in our guides using these sizes
Factory trims and popular community setups from our fitment guides. A popular setup is not a factory approval; each guide explains its trims, axles and clearance limits.
155/80 R13
175/70 R13
- Honda Civic EK / sixth generation, non-Type R (1996–2000)Factory trim
- Volkswagen Golf / GTI / VR6 Mk3 (1991–1997)Factory trim
- Volkswagen Golf / GTI Mk1 (1974–1983)Factory trim
More comparisons
175/70 R13 compared
Questions
Can I use 175/70 R13 instead of 155/80 R13?
Both fit 13-inch wheels. The diameter difference is -0.52%, well inside the ±3% screening limit. That does not approve fitment: check the car maker's approved sizes, load index, speed rating, rim width and clearance first.
How much bigger is 175/70 R13 than 155/80 R13?
Overall diameter is 3 mm (0.12 in) smaller: 575.2 vs 578.2 mm. Section width is 20 mm wider, and the sidewall is 1.5 mm shorter. These are nominal figures; real tyres vary by model and rim width.
Will 175/70 R13 change my speedometer reading?
Yes, by 0.52%. If the speedometer was accurate on 155/80 R13, an indicated 60 mph would be about 59.7 mph on 175/70 R13, and an indicated 100 km/h about 99.5 km/h. You would be going slower than the speedometer shows.
Which is better, 155/80 R13 or 175/70 R13?
Neither in general. 175/70 R13 is wider, which can help dry grip; the narrower size is usually better in standing water and snow. The size listed for your car's trim, on its placard or in the handbook, is the safe default.
Check the exact tyre
Size codes give nominal dimensions. Before buying, confirm the size is approved for your car and check the exact tyre's load and speed ratings and published dimensions.