Chevrolet Chevette Tires

Chevrolet Chevette uses three sizes in the range listed here: 155/80D13 for 1976 through 1978, 155/80R13 for 1976 through 1987, and 175/70R13 for 1980 through 1985. All three sizes are built for 13-inch rims. The early 155/80D13 is a bias-ply fitment, while 155/80R13 and 175/70R13 are radial sizes.

The practical difference is that some Chevrolet Chevette years overlap between two listed sizes. Early cars can appear with either the bias-ply 155/80D13 or the radial 155/80R13, and 1980 through 1985 cars can appear with either the narrow 155/80R13 or the wider 175/70R13. Check the sidewall of the current tire, the wheel width, and any original vehicle paperwork before settling on a replacement size.

A 1980 Chevrolet Chevette has two tire sizes listed because that year appears with both 155/80R13 and 175/70R13. Both sizes use the same 13-inch rim diameter and both are radial constructions, so the split is not a wheel-diameter change. It reflects a configuration difference within the model range rather than a simple year break.

That means the year alone is not enough to choose a tire for a 1980 Chevrolet Chevette. The safest approach is to verify the actual tire size already on the car, confirm the wheel width, and compare the car against any surviving factory literature or marque references. On these overlap years, the correct answer comes from the specific car’s configuration, not from the model year by itself.

On a Chevrolet Chevette, 155/80D13 describes a tire with a 155 millimeter section width, an 80-series profile, and a 13-inch rim diameter. The important character is the D, which identifies a bias-ply construction rather than a radial. That makes it different in both build and driving character from the more familiar 155/80R13 radial size.

Owners usually choose 155/80D13 when they want an early Chevrolet Chevette to retain a more period-correct bias-ply look and feel. Because it is a bias-ply fitment in this application, tube use is part of the setup. If the car currently wears radial tires, compare the overall appearance and intended use of the car before deciding whether to stay with radial construction or return to bias-ply.

Chevrolet Chevette does not require inner tubes for the radial sizes listed here, which are 155/80R13 and 175/70R13. The bias-ply 155/80D13 fitment does require a tube. Tube use follows the construction and fitment type, so it is tied to the specific size on the car rather than to every Chevrolet Chevette equally.

That matters most on 1976 through 1978 Chevrolet Chevette models, where both a bias-ply and a radial size are listed. If the car is being returned to the 155/80D13 bias-ply setup, plan the tire and tube package together and inspect the wheel condition carefully. If the car is already on one of the radial 13-inch sizes, tube requirements do not apply in the same way.

A 1978 Chevrolet Chevette can use either 155/80D13 or 155/80R13, both on 13-inch rims. The deciding factor is whether the car is set up with the early bias-ply size or the radial alternative. The year alone does not separate those two choices, because both appear in 1978.

Start with the tire sidewall already on the car, then verify the wheel dimensions and compare them with original service information or marque references. If the car is a restoration, decide whether the goal is period-correct appearance with bias-ply construction or a radial setup that was also used in the same years. That approach prevents replacing a correct early configuration with the wrong construction type.

Chevrolet Chevette tires in the products listed here are available in narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and blackwall sidewall styles. The 155/80R13 products include narrow and wide whitewall options, while the 175/70R13 product listed here is a blackwall radial. That gives Chevrolet Chevette owners a visible styling choice even within the same basic rim diameter.

For a restoration-minded Chevrolet Chevette, sidewall style changes the car’s look almost as much as wheel covers or trim. A whitewall can suit a period presentation, while a blackwall often fits a more understated or performance-oriented appearance. Match the sidewall to the way the car is being preserved, and confirm the actual tire size first so styling does not lead you into the wrong fitment.

The Chevrolet Chevette products listed here come from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Tornel, and Avon. Four of those products are in 155/80R13, while Avon appears in 175/70R13. The current selection therefore spans several brands but not every brand across every listed Chevrolet Chevette size.

Brand choice should come after size and construction are settled for the specific Chevrolet Chevette. Once the correct fitment is confirmed, compare sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width suitability within that size. That keeps the selection process in the right order, especially on years where more than one Chevrolet Chevette tire size appears.

The Chevrolet Chevette products listed here include the UN106, Silvertown Radial, Classic Whitewall MA-1, Tornel Classic, and CR6ZZ series. The 155/80R13 size is offered in several classic-style radial series with whitewall variations, while 175/70R13 is represented here by Avon’s CR6ZZ blackwall radial. Each series therefore reflects a different balance of styling and intended character within the same general Chevrolet Chevette size range.

For a Chevrolet Chevette owner, the key is to decide whether appearance or a more sporting presentation matters most after the fitment is verified. Whitewall series tend to support a more factory-era visual treatment, while the CR6ZZ points toward a performance-flavored blackwall look in the wider size. Compare the car’s wheel width, desired stance, and restoration goal before choosing among the available series.

A Chevrolet Chevette stored on its tires should be kept in a cool, dry, dark environment away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Keep the tires properly inflated while the car is parked, and avoid leaving the full weight of the car in one unmoved position for very long periods. Clean, dry tires and a clean floor surface also help reduce age-related deterioration.

For longer storage, move the Chevrolet Chevette occasionally so the same section of each tire is not carrying the load month after month. If the car will sit for an extended season, owners often support the vehicle to reduce flat-spotting and sidewall stress. Collector cars age their tires differently than daily drivers, so storage conditions matter almost as much as miles driven.

Tires on a Chevrolet Chevette should be inspected at regular intervals even if the car is driven only occasionally. Check inflation pressure, visible cracking, tread condition, sidewall damage, and any change in how the car tracks or rides. A collector car that sees limited mileage can still age its tires significantly through time, heat cycles, and storage conditions.

A good routine is to inspect the Chevrolet Chevette before each outing and to perform a more careful review several times a year. On cars that alternate between show use and casual road use, inspection is also the time to verify that the front and rear tires remain matched in size and condition. Catching small issues early helps preserve both the tires and the way the car drives.

Tires on a Chevrolet Chevette should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, uneven wear, or structural deterioration appear, even if there is still visible tread. Collector tires often age out before they wear out. Calendar age and condition matter more than tread depth alone on a low-mile Chevrolet Chevette.

That is especially important on a car that spends much of its life parked, because the tires can look presentable while losing flexibility and strength. If the Chevrolet Chevette develops vibration, persistent air loss, or visible sidewall checking, treat that as a strong signal for replacement. A careful age-and-condition review is part of responsible operation whether the car is driven weekly or only for events.

Chevrolet Chevette appears here with 155/80D13, 155/80R13, and 175/70R13 depending on year and configuration. Early 1976 through 1978 cars show both a bias-ply 155/80D13 and a radial 155/80R13, while 1980 through 1985 cars show both 155/80R13 and 175/70R13. That means original fitment depends on the specific year and setup rather than on one universal Chevrolet Chevette tire size.

For an accurate restoration, match the tire to the exact car rather than assuming every Chevrolet Chevette used the same size throughout production. Period paperwork, surviving original tires, wheel width, and marque references are the right checks when authenticity matters. That process is especially important in overlap years, where two valid Chevrolet Chevette tire sizes can exist side by side.

Correct tire fitment can affect both the presentation and judged accuracy of a Chevrolet Chevette, especially when size, construction, and sidewall style are part of the car’s period appearance. A bias-ply tire presents differently from a radial, and a narrow whitewall presents differently from a blackwall. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice those details quickly.

On a restored Chevrolet Chevette, the right tire helps the car sit correctly and supports the story the restoration is trying to tell. If the goal is formal judging or a factory-style presentation, compare the chosen size and sidewall with period references and marque-club guidance. A car built more for touring can make different compromises, but it should still stay within an appropriate year-correct fitment range.

Chevrolet Chevette tires in the products listed here are offered in narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and blackwall form depending on size and product line. The 155/80R13 selection carries the whitewall options, while the 175/70R13 product listed here is blackwall. That means sidewall correctness on a Chevrolet Chevette restoration depends on the exact look and period presentation being pursued.

A restoration aiming for a stock-era appearance should compare surviving photos, dealer literature, and marque guidance before settling on whitewall width or blackwall style. The wheel and trim package can influence which sidewall looks believable on a Chevrolet Chevette. Once the appearance goal is clear, choose the sidewall within the correct tire size rather than treating style and fitment as separate decisions.

A Chevrolet Chevette can be driven on public roads when the tires are the correct size, in sound condition, properly inflated, and appropriate to the wheel they are mounted on. The radial 155/80R13 and 175/70R13 options are conventional road-use sizes for this model range, while the early 155/80D13 bias-ply fitment should be treated with the characteristics of an older construction type in mind. Safe use depends on condition and correct fitment more than on appearance alone.

Before regular road use, inspect the Chevrolet Chevette for aging, cracks, uneven wear, and any mismatch between tire size and wheel width. If the car is driven only occasionally, age can become the limiting factor long before tread wears down. Keep speeds and expectations appropriate to the construction actually fitted, and make sure the rest of the chassis is in equally roadworthy condition.

Before driving a Chevrolet Chevette, check inflation pressure, sidewall condition, tread condition, wheel attachment, and whether all four tires are the correct size for the car’s configuration. Also confirm there is no rubbing, no abnormal bulging, and no visible age cracking. On overlap years, it is wise to make sure the car is not wearing an improvised mix of the narrow and wider Chevrolet Chevette sizes.

A short pre-drive walkaround tells you a great deal on a collector Chevrolet Chevette. If the steering feels vague, the car pulls, or a tire loses pressure between outings, stop and investigate before more road use. Consistent checks are especially valuable on cars that spend long stretches parked, since inactivity can hide problems until the first drive of the season.

Appropriate speed for a Chevrolet Chevette depends on the exact tire fitted, its age, condition, inflation, and construction type. A fresh radial in the correct size and proper condition can support more practical road use than an aged or bias-ply setup, but no collector car should be driven as though new simply because the tread looks acceptable. Tire condition always sets the limit before the speedometer does.

Use conservative speeds until the Chevrolet Chevette’s tires, alignment, and overall chassis condition are fully sorted. If the car is on the early 155/80D13 bias-ply fitment, expect more traditional handling behavior and plan your driving accordingly. Even on radial sizes, modest speeds and generous following distance are sensible for a light late-classic car that may spend more time preserved than daily driven.