'95 Civic CX HB with '93 VX wheelset-Tire Question

[Bixy]

Hi everyone...
I recently bought a used set of the factory '93 VX alloys at 9lb ea. to replace my stock '95 steel wheels with plastic hubcaps at almost 19lb+ ea. I've been trying to figure out what size tires to put on these wheels, so my odometer and speedometer won't be affected. I went to the dealer, and they told me for the 1993 VX wheel, the stock tire size was 165-70-13. I'm understanding the first number is the width of the tire, so this shouldn't affect the speedo or odometer should it? If I go wider but lower profile, then the instruments should read accurately, correct? Do we buy the tire size to match the wheel specs, or to match the year and model of the car?

I don't know,but the tires that came with the car were really small, and they just looked funky.

Currently on the 13" steel stock wheels now on the '95 car, I have 185-70-13 which is what the people at the tire store sold me, and I think I'm going faster than the speedo is indicating, cause at 80mph, I'm leaving everyone in the dust, and people pretty much all drive 80 here on the freeways.
The other thing is, I was thinking about the Sumitomo HTR 200, which is sposed to be a high perf but low rolling resistance tire, to increase my gas mileage.
so they have three sizes, and I'm not sure which one to get, cause now the wheels call for different size than my car calls for, cause they are from different years.
The sizes I have to choose from are 175/50HR13 72H, 175/70HR13 82H and 185/60HR13 80H. The first one is $48 ea the other two are $39 each. Why is the smaller tire more expensive? Is 50H a low profile tire?
Any suggestions anyone can offer with authority or experience in this would be appreciated. I'm buying these tires through Tirerack.com, so I can't exactly go to the local tire store, they aren't gonna be all that enthused to help me buy tires from the competition. OR, if anyone can suggest a better tire for gas mileage, I'd appreciate it. I got this brand and model off the greensavers website.
thanks!
Barb

[Bixy]

Wow, thank you.

That chart is very cool, exactly what I needed. Now I can see what tires to buy, based on keeping the speedo the same.

I was looking for certain tires that are low rolling resistance, and the internet isn't the greatest for finding tire stores in the local area, unless they have their own website, which most of the smaller ones do not. The bigger chains don't seem to have the tires I'm looking for...

thanks again, well done!

Bixy

[cems70]

'95 CX original tire size from factory was 165/70/13. My experience has been if you go w/ a taller tire than the original tire size, the odometer will register too few miles. There are only a few tires available in this size now since it is an oddball size. For a 165/70/13 LRR tire, your only 2 options (from my research) is the Sumitomo HTR T4, available from Sears for around $46 (I have these in size 175/70/13 on my '95 Civic hatchback) and Vredestein Quatrac II (limited availability from a couple of Vredestein dealers in the US).

You can also use 175/70/13 for which there many more tires available.

[GasSavers_BIBI]

The stock size on your Vx wheels are 155/80/13. That what came out on the civic Vx. But you can go up to 175/70/13. 155 is skinny, but still can handle great (no too great).

[AlainB7]

I used 155/80-13 on my both set(winter & sunner) of VX mag.

[GasSavers_bobski]

The first number in the tire size is the tread width in millimeters. So a 155/80-13 tire would have a 15.5 cm wide tread.
The second number is the aspect ratio of the tire. It's the ratio of the tread width to the side wall height. So going back to the 155/80-13 example, the tire side wall would be 155 mm * .80 = 124 mm.
The final number is the rim size in inches.
So, if you wanted to find out the overall rolling diameter of a tire, you calculate the side wall height, convert it to inches (or the rim size to metric if you prefer SI measures), multiply it by two (measuring the diameter of a wheel/tire combo means measuring the sidewall twice) and add the rim size. Once you have the diameter, you can calculate the circumference (distance traveled per revolution) by multiplying by pi.

Originally Posted by cems70

'95 CX original tire size from factory was 165/70/13.

So, the side wall height would be 165 mm * .70 = 115.5 mm, or 4.547". The overall diameter would be (4.547" * 2) + 13" = 22.094.

Originally Posted by Bixy

The sizes I have to choose from are 175/50HR13 72H, 175/70HR13 82H and 185/60HR13 80H.

175 mm * .50 = 87.5 mm or 3.445". (3.445" * 2) + 13 = 19.89"
175 mm * .70 = 122.5 mm or 4.823". (4.823" * 2) + 13 = 22.646"
185 mm * .60 = 111 mm or 4.370". (4.370" * 2) + 13 = 21.74"

I took some time to record odometer and GPS readings in my CRX several years ago and then compared them along with calculated tire sizes. I came to the conclusion that a wheel/tire combo with a 23" overall diameter would make the odometer accurate. Obviously the CX speedo may be calibrated for a different overall diameter, but I thought I would throw that idea out there.

[1993CivicVX]

Which tire do you think I should buy? I want a reasonably well handling tire.

Size: 145/80/13
Price: $43.66
Weight: 11 pounds

--or--

size: 165/70/13
Price: $53.50
Weight: 14

How much more LRR do you think the first tire is? Would it fit on my VX wheels?

After shipping the first tires are $42 cheaper. $199.12 for four of them with shipping. For a set of four of the second tires is $241.27 with shipping.

[1993CivicVX]

I just wanted a comparison of the two tires. One is 145mm wide, the other is 165mm. Their aspect ratio is slightly different as well (you can see the size differences in my post) otherwise they are identical tires.

BTW, here is a diameter calculator

[1993CivicVX]

well geez mister, you sure are smart! I'm gonna take some pics of my tires and get your expert opinion of their r.r. Thanks for the dissertation!

meanwhile, here is a pic of the tires I am thinking of buying.

[GasSavers_bobski]

Originally Posted by 1993CivicVX

Which tire do you think I should buy? I want a reasonably well handling tire.

A wider tread will give you a bigger contact patch and therefore more grip. I went from 175/70-13s to 195/60-14s... Huge difference in traction. The 175 profile tires were terrible in the rain, though I suppose tire design probably played a big role there as well. That reminds me... When comparing tires, make sure you look at the UTQG code. It will be a 3 digit number followed by two letter codes - AA, A, B or C. The number represents the rate of wear... A higher number tire should last longer. The letters grade the braking force in the wet, and resistance to heat buildup during high speed use.
So I guess I would say that if the tires UTQG code is decent - 300+ and A's or better, you might be able to get away with the 145 profile, though you would be practically driving on spares.
Personally, I think the 165s are pushing the small end of the scale. I wouldn't even consider 145s for my car. Tires are a safety item. If the tires lose traction with the road, the best suspension and brakes mean nothing... You're sliding wherever the car's inertia takes you.