Just bought some 2nd hand 13 inch Felicia steel wheels, and and have noticed a couple are 5 1/2J ET36 instead of the 4 1/2J ET38 ones I currently have, the tyres are same 165/70 13's

I've used a wheel calculator and understand the difference in width/offset.

I'm just wondering if the car will feel any different on them.  I can't really see that there will be any difference in contact patch size, because the tyre width is the same.

4 hours ago, R_U_AFA said:

Just bought some 2nd hand 13 inch Felicia steel wheels, and and have noticed a couple are 5 1/2J ET36 instead of the 4 1/2J ET38 ones I currently have, the tyres are same 165/70 13's

I've used a wheel calculator and understand the difference in width/offset.

I'm just wondering if the car will feel any different on them.  I can't really see that there will be any difference in contact patch size, because the tyre width is the same.

Wider rim size makes your ride quality better for sure. The difference is only 1 inch, but better then nothing. About the ET, the difference is only 2 milimeters, not significant. 

The wider rim comes from Pickup. Original 13 inch alloy rims were also same size.

Since it stretches the tire, it'll be a little bit more stable.

Ok, I'll use them 2 on the fronts, I'll have to make sure I don't get them mixed up when fitting them.

The 1" difference in rim width will alter how the 165/70/13 tyre walls are to the different rim wheel widths.  How they feel and operate also depends a lot on the specific make and model of tyres, how old the tyres are their use, abused and wear.  Old and/or little used tyres can have loads of tread wear left on them and still be poor for braking, steering, suspension road holding, handling ride comfort and noise, the sidewalls could have seen a lot of life.

 

On my 1973 Midget that I used as a daily driver for 16 years until nearly two years ago the standard steel wheels were 4.5" rims with 145/80/13 tyres, 165/70/13 were the low profile wider "boy racer" size of tyre, the Midget model not many years earlier which I had I put on the original 3.5" wide steel wheels with 145/80/13 (15.5" steering wheel on both models) the car was a delight on this size of wheels and tyres.  Tyres are more about their design, build and compounds than  a tyre size up a little, of course they do have to be suitable gto rim fit and fit to vehicle.