Audi 4000 Tires

Audi 4000 uses two tire sizes across its 1980 to 1987 production run. Models from 1980 through 1985 use 175/70R13 on 13-inch rims, while 1986 and 1987 models use 185/60R14 on 14-inch rims. Both listed sizes are radial constructions, so the main fitment change is the wheel diameter and profile difference between early and late cars.

That means year matters, but the wheel on the actual car matters just as much. Many surviving Audi 4000 cars have seen wheel changes over the years, so the safest approach is to verify the current rim diameter and compare it with the size stamped on the sidewall before replacing the tires. If the car has aftermarket wheels, use the wheel diameter rather than the model year alone.

On an Audi 4000, 175/70R13 describes a metric radial tire size used on 1980 through 1985 models. The 175 is the section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, meaning the sidewall height is 70 percent of the section width, R means radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. It is a modern metric size rather than an older numeric or alphanumeric bias-ply code.

Understanding the code helps when comparing replacement tires, because a similar-looking size with a different aspect ratio or rim diameter will change the car’s stance and gearing feel. For an early Audi 4000, the key is matching both the 13-inch wheel diameter and the general height and width relationship intended by the 175/70R13 size.

Audi 4000 uses two rim diameters across the years covered here. Cars from 1980 through 1985 use 13-inch rims with 175/70R13 tires, and cars from 1986 through 1987 use 14-inch rims with 185/60R14 tires. The change occurs in 1986, making that shift the most important fitment dividing line in the model run.

A buyer should confirm the wheel diameter on the actual car before selecting tires, because a simple year-based assumption can be misleading on a collector car. Factory wheels may have been swapped, and late-model appearance upgrades are common on older drivers. Reading the wheel size directly or checking the tire sidewall already fitted is the quickest way to avoid a mismatch.

The correct tire size for an Audi 4000 starts with the model year and then must be confirmed against the wheel on the car. Years 1980 through 1985 use 175/70R13, while 1986 and 1987 use 185/60R14. Those sizes correspond to different wheel diameters, so they are not interchangeable without changing the wheel itself.

A practical check is to compare three things: the year of the car, the size stamped on the current tire, and the rim diameter of the wheel actually installed. If those three do not agree, treat the wheel as the deciding fitment point and then verify whether the car has been modified from original specification. That approach prevents ordering a 13-inch tire for a car now wearing 14-inch wheels, or the reverse.

The available Audi 4000 tires here are offered in blackwall sidewall styling. That applies to both listed sizes, 175/70R13 and 185/60R14, and matches the clean, later-classic appearance most buyers expect on an eighties European sedan. No whitewall or specialty sidewall treatment is listed among the available products for this model group.

For a period-appropriate restoration or preservation car, blackwall is the natural visual choice for the Audi 4000’s era and character. It keeps the car looking correct without adding styling cues more associated with earlier American cars. If appearance matters as much as fitment, matching the right size with the correct blackwall presentation will usually deliver the most authentic result.

Two brands are represented for Audi 4000 tire fitments here. Avon is offered in 175/70R13 for 1980 through 1985 cars, and Michelin is offered in 185/60R14 for 1986 through 1987 cars. Each brand corresponds to a different size and year range rather than giving multiple brand choices within the same listed size.

That means brand selection follows fitment first, not the other way around. If you own an early Audi 4000 on 13-inch wheels, your available product differs from the one listed for later 14-inch cars. Start by identifying the correct wheel diameter and size, then compare the listed product’s intended use, appearance, and overall character against how the car is driven and presented.

Audi 4000 fitments here are represented by two distinct tire series: Avon CR6ZZ in 175/70R13 and Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 in 185/60R14. Both are radial tires, but they are attached to different wheel diameters and different year ranges within Audi 4000 production. The main distinction for the buyer is not an era split between bias-ply and radial, but the fact that each series serves a separate fitment.

In practical terms, the correct series is determined by the size your Audi 4000 requires. An early car on 13-inch wheels points to the Avon fitment, while a late car on 14-inch wheels points to the Michelin fitment. Once the correct size is established, you can evaluate the series as part of the car’s intended use, whether that is occasional touring, spirited road driving, or careful preservation.

An Audi 4000 should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, and ozone-producing equipment. Correct inflation matters even when the car is parked, because underinflation encourages sidewall stress and flat spotting over time. Clean floors, stable temperature, and regular movement of the car a short distance can all help preserve the tire shape.

If the Audi 4000 will sit for long periods, many owners place the car on tire cradles or move it occasionally to change the contact patch. Keeping suspension loads from resting on one spot for months at a time is especially helpful on collector cars that see seasonal use. A quick monthly visual check for cracking, pressure loss, or uneven deformation is worth the effort.

Tires on an Audi 4000 should be inspected before regular driving and more thoroughly at least several times a year, even if the car is used lightly. Collector cars often age out tires long before they wear out, so tread depth alone is not enough. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, punctures, irregular wear, and pressure loss on both the visible outer side and the inner sidewall.

Inspection is especially important when a car has been stored, recently returned to service, or fitted with wheels that may not be the original diameter for the year. A short test drive can reveal vibration or steering pull, but those signs should not be the first warning. Regular close inspection helps catch aging problems before they become road-use problems.

Audi 4000 tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, separation, or other structural deterioration appears, even if the tread still looks usable. Low-mile collector tires often retain plenty of tread while losing the flexibility and integrity needed for dependable road service. Calendar age, storage history, and visible condition matter more than tread depth alone on a lightly used classic.

A practical rule is to treat tires as consumable rubber components rather than permanent restoration pieces. If an Audi 4000 has spent years parked, have each tire inspected carefully before putting the car back into regular use. Replacing aged tires in time protects the ride quality, steering feel, and overall confidence that make these small Audis enjoyable to drive.

Audi 4000 used 175/70R13 during the 1980 through 1985 years covered here and 185/60R14 during the 1986 through 1987 years. Both listed fitments are radial sizes, which aligns with the car’s later-classic European design and road manners. Within this page, those are the year-specific tire sizes associated with the model run rather than a single size used from start to finish.

For an exact restoration, the best next step is to compare the car’s build year, wheel diameter, and any surviving factory literature or period service references. That matters most when a car has changed hands or been updated with later wheels. Getting the year-correct size right is one of the easiest ways to preserve the proper stance and visual balance of an Audi 4000.

Correct tire fitment can affect both presentation quality and how seriously an Audi 4000 is viewed in a restoration or judged setting. A car wearing the proper year-range size on the correct wheel diameter looks more coherent and generally reflects closer attention to authenticity. Because Audi 4000 changed from 13-inch to 14-inch fitment in 1986, that detail is especially visible to knowledgeable enthusiasts.

The practical benefit goes beyond show points. Proper fitment helps preserve the intended proportions of the wheel opening, sidewall height, and overall stance, all of which shape how the car is perceived. If authenticity matters, verify the wheel diameter first and then use period references or marque-club guidance to support the final choice for your specific Audi 4000.

Blackwall is the sidewall style available for the Audi 4000 fitments listed here, and it suits the model’s 1980s European character. Both the 175/70R13 and 185/60R14 products use blackwall styling, which keeps the appearance clean and era-appropriate. No alternate sidewall treatment is listed for this model group.

For most restorations, that makes the cosmetic choice fairly straightforward: focus first on getting the year-correct size and wheel diameter right, then keep the understated blackwall look. The Audi 4000 was never a car that depended on decorative sidewall styling for its identity. Correct proportions and a restrained presentation usually matter more than visual embellishment on this model.

The listed Audi 4000 tires are radial road tires in the correct sizes for the years and wheel diameters specified, so they are intended for normal public-road use when fitted properly and when the rest of the car is in sound condition. Safe operation depends on more than the tire size alone, however. Tire age, inflation, wheel condition, suspension health, and alignment all play a major role in how securely the car drives.

Before regular road use, inspect the tires closely and make sure the installed size matches the wheel diameter on the car. An early Audi 4000 with the wrong later-size wheel and tire combination, or a late car wearing an incorrect 13-inch setup, can compromise handling and clearance. Proper fitment and proper mechanical condition go together.

Before driving an Audi 4000, check tire pressure, sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and the wheel diameter and size combination currently fitted. The year split between 175/70R13 and 185/60R14 means confirming the actual tire-and-wheel package is especially important on these cars. A visual walkaround should also include signs of uneven wear, cracking, bulges, or any tire rubbing in the wheelhouse.

A short mechanical check adds another layer of protection. Steering play, worn suspension bushings, tired shocks, and poor alignment can all exaggerate tire problems or make a correct-size tire feel wrong on the road. On a stored or newly acquired Audi 4000, it is wise to inspect everything before the first real drive rather than relying on appearance alone.

An Audi 4000 should be driven at speeds appropriate to the condition of the car, the age of the tires, and the exact tires fitted, not simply to the theoretical capability of the model. The listed fitments are modern radial sizes, but an older collector car still places special importance on tire condition and chassis condition. Even the correct size is only as trustworthy as the rubber’s age, inflation, and structural health.

For real-world use, build speed gradually and pay attention to vibration, tracking, braking stability, and steering response. A freshly recommissioned Audi 4000 on aged tires should not be treated the same as one on recently fitted, properly inspected rubber. Conservative speeds until the car proves itself on the road are simply part of good collector-car practice.