Correct tire/wheel size for Civic VX?
 

Hi:

Well, I'm working on "unfixing" some mods prior owner made to my `92 Civic VX.

I'm probably going to hate the answer to this, because I really like the custom wheels that are on it now.....but what is the correct wheel/tire size for best FE?

It now has low-profile 195-50R-15s on it. Wynstar brand tires, which make it totally HELPLESS on snow. I've got to do something before the snow flies, thinking about getting the right size wheels an decent snow tires. We don't get a LOT of snow in SE Kansas, but the last time I tried to drive this beast, I ended up in the ditch after performing about 8 "doughnuts" down the middle of the highway. Real entertaining for the folks following me about 4 car lengths behind...thought it was funny as hell, after they found out I was OK.

So, for best FE, what should I get?

Whatever answers you get, the advantage is that you can probably sell the current rims/tires on CraigsList.org and pay for more FE wheel/tire combo.

175/65/14's were OEM I believe probably on 5" wide rims

It should also say the size in the door jamb if that sticker is still there. But I believe they were 165 65 13s...not totally sure on the height number. Search VX tires, and you'll find it in a second.

165/70/13 was the original tire size (I bought one new in 1995 and drove it 225,000 miles). I believe the original rim width is 5", but it can take a 4.5" to 5.5" wide tire

I run 155/80/13

It's only 3% difference on spedometer.

Unfortunately, no sticker are left....prior owner painted everything black inside, grey outside..was originally red. He failed to do the little stuff, like inside doors, inside hatch, fuel door, hood, etc. which is still red. So I have a 3 tone paint job. Like I said in another post, purchased in a weak moment...should have known better.

Thanks for the info, though.

So the current tires are part of the reason my FE sucks, right? OEMs would be quite a bit narrower...lower rolling resistance.

155/80/13 is a good choice and would go quite nicely on the OEM VX wheels that are worth buying. I can guarantee you that it'll all of a sudden feel like you have power steering and will get you better FE.

I used 175/70-13 snows on my old CX.

My current DX hatch has GS-R front brakes, so I have to run 14's. The only available size in snows was 185/65-14. A bit big, but they don't throw the speedo off much at all.

With snow tires, the skinnier, the better. Let 'em dig in!!! :D

The stock tire size is 165/70/13. I recently bought a set of "VX" wheels for my VX to return it to stock. The stock 13" (alloy) VX wheels are designed to be very light for FE. I also bought the stock tire size for the wheels, which are actually a fairly rare size to find now. The ones I bought were Sumitomo HTR T4 tires as they have been rated well for low rolling resistance by consumer reports. They also have a max pressure rating of 51 psi, so I have mine at 50 right now. I bought my set here (they're $37 per tire in 165/70/13):

https://www.onlinetires.com/