Tyre size V rim size

[JAHetfield]

Currently running 145/80 R13 tyres on 13 x 4 1/2J rims.

Tyres are now at the end of their life and I'd like to replace them with something less boaty.

What is the widest tyre that will safely fit on these rims? Will also be going for a lower profile.

[iva cosworth]

No help whatsoever but you aren't going to get much on a 4 1/2 inch rim

What does "less boaty" mean BTW ?

[chilled901]

iva cosworth said:

No help whatsoever but you aren't going to get much on a 4 1/2 inch rim

What does "less boaty" mean BTW ?

lower sidewall profile is my guess.

What application are these tires/ rims on?

[JAHetfield]

By less boaty I mean handling less like a boat. I.e. turn the steering wheel and waiting a fornight for the car to respond.

The application is a 1989 VW Polo. Not the fastest car in the world but I love it. Owned numerous fast cars over the years but this is the first one I've had that doesn't constantly need fixed. Have a 170BHP Citroen ZX 16V and I haven't started it in 6 months, I love the wee Polo

[anonymous-user]

I just went on blackcircles and they don't give a search option for a 13" rim size with anything wider than 145. Not sure if that means it's impossible though.

They do do a 145/60 R13 though.

[chilled901]

JAHetfield said:

By less boaty I mean handling less like a boat. I.e. turn the steering wheel and waiting a fornight for the car to respond.

The application is a 1989 VW Polo. Not the fastest car in the world but I love it. Owned numerous fast cars over the years but this is the first one I've had that doesn't constantly need fixed. Have a 170BHP Citroen ZX 16V and I haven't started it in 6 months, I love the wee Polo

http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

You can play with different width and sidewall profiles to see what combo you can actually purchase and will keep the speedometer close to stock.

If you get wider wheels then you could fit much, much wider tires.

[Cerberus90]

165 should fit.

My mini has the original 12x4.5 inch wheels, and I've got Yoko A539 165/60/12 on it.

I think 165 is generally accepted as the biggest to go on a 4.5inch rim.

[MX7]

http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/tyre-size-for-ri...

It doesn't go down to 4.5, but it's probably fair to presume that the maximum would be 175, and the recommended would be 165.

[mat777]

Going for a lower profile on the same size wheel is going to reduce your gearing, making the car a lot slower (or much higher revving at the same speed), and throw the speedo out of calibration. Also as said, good luck getting anything other than tall, narrow tyres for a 4 1/2" rim.
I suggest you go for bigger, wider wheels with low=pros of the same outer diameter as your current tyres

[JAHetfield]

It's a 1L Polo so safe to say, I'm not interested in speed or acceleration LOL. It's just my wee car I drive to work and back (6 miles away).

Thanks for the advice though, I've sourced a full set of 165/60s for £100.