Citroen 2 CV Tires

The 1969, 1970, and 1971 Citroen 2 CV uses one tire size in this range: 135R15. All available products for that fitment are radial tires built for a 15-inch rim diameter, and several list a suitable rim width range of 3.50 to 4.50 inches. That makes the fitment picture fairly straightforward compared with many collector cars that changed sizes across production.

Practical selection comes down to confirming that the wheels on the actual Citroen 2 CV are still 15-inch wheels in the proper narrow width range. Many older cars have had wheel swaps over the years, so checking the wheel itself is worthwhile before settling on a tire. Once the wheel dimensions are confirmed, the remaining choice is mainly between the available radial models and their intended use.

A 135R15 size on a Citroen 2 CV is a euro-metric radial designation. The 135 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 15 is the rim diameter in inches. In one available version, the related 135SR15 marking adds a speed-category letter within the size presentation while keeping the same basic fitment.

That size format matters because it tells you this is a narrow radial intended for a small 15-inch wheel, not an older numeric or alphanumeric bias-ply size. When checking the car, match both the tire size and the wheel diameter rather than relying only on appearance. A Citroen 2 CV is sensitive to tire width and profile, so staying with the proper narrow radial size helps preserve the car’s intended balance and steering feel.

The Citroen 2 CV models covered here use a 15-inch rim diameter. Every listed 135R15 product for the 1969 to 1971 Citroen 2 CV is built around that same 15-inch wheel, and some also specify a compatible rim width range of 3.50 to 4.50 inches. There is no wheel-diameter change within these years.

That consistency simplifies shopping, but the wheel still needs to be verified on the car itself because older vehicles are often modified. Measure the wheel or confirm its markings if there is any doubt, especially when a car has been stored for years or assembled from mixed parts. Once the 15-inch diameter is confirmed, you can narrow the choice to the available radial models that suit the correct wheel width.

A 1970 Citroen 2 CV in this range uses 135R15, the same size used for 1969 and 1971. The tire must fit a 15-inch rim, and the listed radial options are intended for that diameter. Some products also give a 3.50- to 4.50-inch rim width range, which is an important second check after tire size.

Start by reading the tire currently on the car, then confirm the wheel diameter and width on the wheel itself if possible. That matters because a surviving Citroen 2 CV may have replacement wheels fitted at some point in its life. If the car still has the proper 15-inch narrow wheels, you can choose among the available 135R15 radials according to how original or how road-oriented you want the finished result to feel.

The available Citroen 2 CV tires here come from Michelin and Firestone. Michelin appears with the Michelin X M+S 89 and Michelin ZX series, while Firestone is represented by the F560 Radial. All of them are radial tires in the 135R15 size for 15-inch wheels.

Brand choice on a Citroen 2 CV often comes down to how closely you want to align with period European character versus simply finding a suitable narrow radial in the correct size. A buyer focused on maintaining the car’s historic flavor may gravitate toward Michelin-branded options, while another may compare the available tread style and specifications among all listed choices. The key is to keep the correct 135R15 fitment rather than moving to a wider substitute.

The Citroen 2 CV options here include three distinct tire series: Michelin X M+S 89, Michelin ZX, and Firestone F560 Radial. All three are radial tires in 135R15 for a 15-inch rim, but they represent different product families with their own tread intent and period character. The Michelin X M+S 89 suggests an all-season style approach, the Michelin ZX is a classic Michelin passenger radial, and the Firestone F560 Radial is a separate radial design within the same basic size class.

For an owner, the practical difference is less about changing fitment and more about deciding what best suits the car’s use and presentation. A regularly driven Citroen 2 CV may favor a tread pattern that suits variable road conditions, while a restoration-minded car may place more emphasis on appearance and marque-appropriate feel. Since all of these stay within the same narrow 15-inch radial fitment, the final choice is about character rather than major dimensional change.

A Citroen 2 CV should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Clean floors, stable inflation, and regular movement of the car help prevent flat spotting and sidewall stress, especially on a light car that may sit for long periods. Keeping the tires clean and free from petroleum residue also matters.

Long storage is easier on the tires if the Citroen 2 CV is rolled occasionally or supported in a way that does not leave the full vehicle weight resting on one spot for months at a time. Inflation should be maintained at appropriate operating levels for the tire and vehicle. Before returning the car to regular use, inspect the tread, sidewalls, valve stems, and wheel condition rather than assuming low mileage means the tires are ready for service.

Tires on a Citroen 2 CV should be visually inspected before any meaningful drive and checked more thoroughly several times during the year even if the car sees limited use. Look for cracking, bulges, tread separation, embedded debris, uneven wear, and pressure loss. Because the 2 CV uses a narrow tire, small condition changes can affect steering feel and ride more quickly than many owners expect.

Collector-car use often means long periods of sitting followed by occasional road use, which makes routine inspection more important than tread depth alone. Check the inner and outer sidewalls, confirm inflation with an accurate gauge, and examine the wheels at the same time. If the Citroen 2 CV has developed vague steering, pulling, or vibration, stop and inspect the tires before assuming the issue lies elsewhere in the suspension or drivetrain.

Tires on a Citroen 2 CV should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, belt or casing issues, or long-term storage deterioration appears, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector cars often age out their tires before they wear them out. A tire can look respectable on the outside and still be too old or too compromised for dependable road use.

That is especially important on a lightweight car like the Citroen 2 CV, where owners may be tempted to keep old tires because mileage is low and the car is gently driven. A specialist inspection is wise any time the car has been sitting for years or the tires' age is uncertain. Replacing older tires before obvious failure preserves both the driving character of the car and the safety margin that a low-use collector vehicle still needs.

The available fitment here for the 1969 to 1971 Citroen 2 CV is 135R15 on a 15-inch rim, and the listed products are radial tires from Michelin and Firestone. Within that group, Michelin-branded series such as the Michelin ZX and Michelin X M+S 89 are available alongside the Firestone F560 Radial. Those options establish the size and general type that suit these years without suggesting that every surviving car left the factory with the same exact tire line.

For restoration work, the most reliable path is to confirm the car’s year, wheel dimensions, and any original market-specific literature or marque-club guidance that applies to the individual car. A Citroen 2 CV can look right yet still be wearing later replacements, so originality should be checked rather than assumed. Once the correct 135R15 radial format is confirmed, the remaining decision is how closely you want to match the car’s period personality.

Correct tire fitment can matter to both the presentation and perceived correctness of a Citroen 2 CV, especially in restoration circles where wheel diameter, tire width, sidewall appearance, and brand character all contribute to authenticity. A narrow 135R15 radial on the proper 15-inch wheel is much more in keeping with the car than a wider modern substitute. Even when a car is not concours-restored, the wrong tire can visibly alter stance and personality.

For owners concerned with judging or resale, the tire decision should be treated as part of the restoration, not as a last-minute consumable choice. Marque clubs, period photos, and model-year references can help determine what looks most convincing for the specific car. On a Citroen 2 CV, preserving the original narrow-tire character often helps the car read correctly to knowledgeable enthusiasts and judges.

The available Citroen 2 CV tires here are blackwall tires. That sidewall style is consistent across the listed Michelin and Firestone options in 135R15, which gives restorers a straightforward visual direction for these late-model years. There are no alternate sidewall treatments listed within this fitment group.

For a restoration, that means the main visual questions move away from sidewall color and toward brand, tread character, and overall proportions on the wheel. A narrow blackwall radial suits the understated, utilitarian identity that defines the Citroen 2 CV. If the goal is a faithful period look, keeping the proper blackwall presentation and avoiding wider modern tires will usually preserve the car’s intended appearance far better than a more aggressive substitute.

A correctly sized, properly mounted, and sound-condition radial tire in 135R15 can be appropriate for driving a Citroen 2 CV on public roads, provided the rest of the car is equally roadworthy. The listed options are modern-production radial tires rather than period bias-ply antiques, which is helpful for a car intended to be used rather than simply displayed. Safety, however, depends on the complete vehicle system, not just the tire.

Before regular road use, confirm the wheel condition, inflation, alignment, brakes, steering, suspension, and age of every tire on the car, including the spare if it may be pressed into service. A Citroen 2 CV is light and forgiving in many ways, but it still relies on a very narrow contact patch. Keeping the correct size and maintaining the car carefully are more important than chasing a wider or more modern-looking alternative.

Before driving a Citroen 2 CV, check tire pressure, visible tire condition, valve stems, wheel security, and any signs of sidewall cracking or tread damage. Also inspect the brakes, steering response, suspension movement, and basic fluid condition, because collector cars often sit longer than modern daily drivers. A low-mileage appearance is never a substitute for a proper pre-drive inspection.

The tire-specific check should include verifying that all four tires match in size and general construction and that they are seated on the correct 15-inch wheels. If the car has been stored, drive conservatively at first and pay attention to pull, vibration, or unusual noises. A Citroen 2 CV rewards careful preparation, and a few minutes spent checking the car before departure can prevent avoidable problems on the road.

A Citroen 2 CV should be driven at speeds appropriate to the condition of the car, the age and condition of the tires, and the general capability of the vehicle rather than by tire size alone. The listed 135R15 fitment includes modern radial constructions, but that does not turn a collector Citroen 2 CV into a modern high-speed car. Mechanical condition, loading, alignment, and road surface all matter.

In practical terms, a well-sorted Citroen 2 CV should still be driven with sympathy for its design and age. Moderate cruising, smooth inputs, and conservative speed choices are far kinder to the chassis and tires than sustained high-speed use. If the car is newly revived from storage or wearing older tires of uncertain age, keep speeds down until the entire vehicle has been fully inspected and proven in service.