• Plenty of reputable brands available
• 175/70 R13 tyres often seen on Proton Saga and Wira
• Prices range between RM 100 to RM 200 per tyre

Small rim sizes are often fitted onto more budget-friendly cars not just for model variant differentiation but also lower costs when it comes to tyre replacement.

The last new car sold in Malaysia that came with a 13-inch wheel was the 2016 Proton Saga 1.3L Standard. Since the new 2019 Proton Saga facelift, every new passenger car now comes with a minimum wheel size of 14-inch.

Examples of cars that came with 13-inch wheels from the factory include the much-loved Proton Wira, Saga BLM, Satria and more. These cars were specified with 175/70 R13 profile tyres.

Often times, tyre shop operators try to deceive consumers that there aren’t many choices for 13-inch rims and proceed to upsell an unknown tyre brand or worse, upsize to 14-inch wheels.

Today, we are going to debunk that ‘myth’ and give you some reputable choices for 175/70 R13 tyres available on the market.

Falken SN832i, RM 100 – RM 125

Falken SN832i is the Japanese tyre maker’s Sincera range developed specifically for small cars. Key features include optimized footprint and contact pressure for maximum durability, fuel economy and comfort.

Dunlop SP Sport J5, RM 110 – RM 135

Dunlop SP Sport J5 uses a full silica compound that promises high wet grip and lower rolling resistance for better fuel economy. Technical highlights include optimised groove for better water dispersion.

Continental CC6, RM 135 – RM 180

Continental CC6 was designed for maximum comfort. It uses unique noise chambers that ‘cuts out’ the low frequency generated from the rolling motion to give a quieter ride.

Goodyear Duraplus 2, RM145

Goodyear Duraplus as the name suggests is designed for increased durability and mileage. The company boasts a mileage life of 100,000 km* on the Duraplus 2.

Bridgestone Ecopia EP150, RM 135 – RM 152

Bridgestone Ecopia range was developed with minimal rolling resistance for improved fuel economy. The EP150 also has its weight-optimised for a lighter construction for even lower frictional resistance.

Michelin Energy XM2, RM 175 – RM 180

The XM2 is the predecessor of the XM2+ and is available in 13-inch sizes. Being the most expensive among tyres of this class, the XM2 promises longer-lasting tyres with maximum safety in the dry and wet.

I’ve always believed that however much you want to save on vehicle maintenance, one should never, ever skimp on tyres. Those four black doughnuts are the only contact point between your car and the tarmac which is the most important factor in keeping you and your passengers safe.

These reputable brands each have their own unique selling points. Instead of asking, which is the best tyre? The correct question to be asked is which is the most suitable tyre for your driving needs.

Regardless whether your priority is on comfort or fuel savings, you won’t go wrong with a reputable tyre brand. Picking any one of these gives you the confidence and peace of mind from the moment you leave the tyre shop.

So, the next time you’re browsing for 175/70 R13 tyres, don’t be fooled by the tyre shop operators that there aren’t many choices on the market for this particular size.