snow tires -- right size?

[1993CivicVX]

Hi, I am looking at possibly getting studded snow tires for my Civic VX and need some input on the size. My car calls for 165/70R/13 and I currently have 175/70R/13 on my car. The ones for sale are 155/80R/13. Will these fit? The guy said they'd add an inch of height. Do you agree? Input appreciated!

Also, are studded snows not ideal for highway driving? I often travel 75 miles each way on the highway. Thanks! They're very cheap, $20 for 1 season used studded snow tires. Thanks.

[cems70]

The 165/70 has a 69.41" circumference. The 155/80 has a 71.51" circumference and will cause your odometer to read 3% fewer miles than the 165/70 tire, but only 0.5% fewer miles than the 175/70 tire. That said, each manufacturer's tire may have a slightly larger or smaller circumference than the purported correct circumference of any given size tire. Tire inflation will also affect the cirumference slightly.

[theholycow]

See the tire size calculator linked in my sig. It will give you everything you need.

[1993CivicVX]

Thanks guys. I forgot about the tire calculator before I posted this and then remembered immediately found it upon searching this site. So the size is very similar to what I have on there now! Although I'm still a little unclear what the first number measures on the tire. (155 vs 175)
Thanks.

[theholycow]

First number measures tread width in millimeters. That part makes reasonable sense.

Second number measures sidewall height as a percentage of tread width, which is a choice obviously made by someone who was very drunk.

[1993CivicVX]

so the sidewall heights of my current tires and the snow tires are nearly the same, which is what I was concerned about. Thanks animal of India.

[Lug_Nut]

The 155 will make a better snow tire than the same brand/model in 165 or 175. Narrower tires will penetrate down through the snow covered roads better than a wider tire. A narrow tire pressing down through the snow onto pavement will have better traction than a wide one pressing down on but supported by snow.
When the roads are clear, both tires will have rubber on the road and the wider one will have better lateral grip.

[GasSavers_TomO]

I used to run 155/80/13 Winterforce snow tires on my hondas, non-studded (also illegal in MN). They were awesome, lasted 5 seasons. Now I'm just running Goodyear 155/80/13 all seasons and they are working well. not as grippy as the winterforce tires, but good enough for me to get around with. I'm running 175/60/13 in the back and wouldn't want them on the front of my VX as I would end up losing some traction. I tried it one day and immediately switched back toe the 155s.

[GasSavers_Bruce]

The smaller aero drag for the same diameter may help compensate for the added drag from the studs.

Make sure the width is compatible with your rims.

Sticky tires will wear down quickly.

[R.I.D.E.]

I use the mile markers on the Interstate here to check my odometer calibration. The Michelin 175-70-13's I have on my VX now are exactly 1% low on odometer reading, 99 miles indicated to 100 miles travelled.

Sadly they cost me about 10% mileage, compared to the original Bridgestones ;(.

regards
gary