Nissan 310 Tires
Nissan 310 was part of Nissan’s front-wheel-drive compact era at the start of the 1980s, a period when small imported cars were shifting toward modern radial tire sizing and more efficiency-minded packaging. Produced from 1980 through 1982, Nissan 310 belongs to a generation of practical economy cars where original tire choice affects stance, gearing feel, and everyday drivability more than many buyers expect. Tire selection is not entirely straightforward because two different 13-inch radial sizes appear across the model run, and both are listed for each year. The smartest first step is to confirm the size shown on the car itself and compare it with the wheel width before choosing a replacement.
Nissan 310 Tire Size Guide
Nissan 310 uses 2 distinct tire sizes across the 1980 to 1982 production span. Both sizes share the same 13-inch rim diameter, but they represent two different metric radial sizing conventions that can affect overall height and section width. Matching the correct size to the specific car matters because both sizes appear in all three model years.
155R13 fits Nissan 310 models from 1980 through 1982 and is one of the two 13-inch radial sizes used across the full run. In this code, 155 is the section width in millimeters, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches; the available products also show a 13-inch wheel fitment. Choose this size when the car is already fitted for 155R13 or when original references for the specific car point to this narrower radial size.
165/70R13 also applies to Nissan 310 models from 1980 through 1982 and appears alongside 155R13 in every year listed. In this code, 165 is the section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R means radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. Choose this size only if the vehicle’s current fitment information or original specification for that particular Nissan 310 matches the lower-profile 165/70R13 format.
Nissan 310 Tires by Year
The year listing shows which tire sizes are associated with each 1980, 1981, and 1982 Nissan 310. In 1980, 1981, and 1982, two sizes are listed, so the specific configuration must be confirmed from the car before selecting a tire. Both listed sizes use 13-inch wheels, which narrows the question to the correct section width and profile rather than a wheel-diameter change.
1980 Nissan 310
- 155R13
- 165/70R13
1981 Nissan 310
- 155R13
- 165/70R13
1982 Nissan 310
- 155R13
- 165/70R13
Best Nissan 310 Tires for Sale
Available Nissan 310 tire products cover 2 products from 2 brands in 155R13 and related 13-inch radial fitments. Confirm the exact size on the car and the 13-inch rim diameter before selecting a tire.
155R13 Products
These are the available products for 155R13.
Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQ below focuses on the two 13-inch radial sizes used on Nissan 310, how to tell which one belongs on a particular car, and what to look for when choosing among the available Michelin and Dunlop options.
Size Basics & Fitment
Nissan 310 uses two tire sizes across the 1980 to 1982 model years: 155R13 and 165/70R13. Both sizes are listed for 1980, 1981, and 1982, and both are radial fitments for 13-inch wheels. The available product listings tied to Nissan 310 currently appear in the 155R13 range, with a 13-inch rim diameter and radial construction.
Because both sizes appear in every model year, year alone does not identify the correct tire for every Nissan 310. Check the size marked on the existing tire, verify the wheel width, and compare against factory literature or a trusted Nissan specialist if the car has been changed over time. That approach is especially important on cars that have had wheel or suspension work done decades after new.
A 155R13 tire for Nissan 310 is a metric radial size. The 155 indicates a nominal section width of 155 millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. In the currently available Nissan 310 products, this size is offered on a 13-inch fitment with blackwall styling.
That code matters because 155R13 is not simply interchangeable with every other 13-inch tire. Width, profile, and overall diameter can change how a Nissan 310 sits and drives, even when the wheel diameter stays the same. If the car still carries original-style wheels, confirm that the wheel width falls within the product’s recommended range before choosing this size.
A 1980 Nissan 310 has both 155R13 and 165/70R13 listed because more than one 13-inch radial fitment was used within the model group. This is not a wheel-diameter split, since both sizes use 13-inch rims. The difference is in the tire’s section width and profile, which points to a configuration split rather than a change from one wheel diameter to another.
That means a 1980 Nissan 310 owner should identify the exact setup on the car rather than relying on model year alone. The easiest path is to inspect the sidewall of the current tires, then confirm the wheel width and compare with original references if the car is being restored. Small imported cars often pick up substitute tires over time, so a quick verification prevents mismatched proportions.
The Nissan 310 sizes listed here both use a 13-inch rim diameter. The 155R13 size is supported by available products with a 13-inch rim diameter, and 165/70R13 is also a 13-inch radial size by definition. There is no rim-diameter change across the 1980 to 1982 production span in the sizes shown for Nissan 310.
That simplifies fitment compared with many older collector cars, because the key difference is not wheel diameter but tire dimensions within the same 13-inch family. Even so, it is wise to confirm the actual wheels on the car, since many surviving compact imports have seen aftermarket wheel swaps. Once the wheel diameter is confirmed, focus on selecting the proper width and profile for the specific Nissan 310.
Buying the Right Tire
A 1981 Nissan 310 can use either 155R13 or 165/70R13, so the correct size has to be confirmed on the specific car. Both sizes are listed for that year, and both are 13-inch radial fitments. The most direct checks are the sidewall marking on the current tires and the wheel width, especially if the car has been maintained or modified by several owners over the years.
If the car is a restoration, compare what is on the vehicle with original Nissan literature, period service information, or a model-specific expert. If the car is a driver, the important point is consistency and proper fit, not guessing from year alone. Confirming the existing specification first helps avoid accidental changes to appearance, gearing feel, and clearance.
The available Nissan 310 products shown here come from Michelin and Dunlop. Michelin is represented by the XAS line in 155HR13, while Dunlop is represented by the SP Sport Aquajet in 155HR13. Both are radial blackwall options associated with the 13-inch Nissan 310 fitment family.
Brand choice on a Nissan 310 usually comes down to the balance between period character, tread design, and the exact driving use of the car. A preservation-minded owner may care more about vintage look and feel, while a regular fair-weather driver may focus on how the tire suits the car’s intended use. Once the correct size is established, comparing the available brands becomes much more meaningful.
The Nissan 310 products shown here include two distinct tire series: Michelin XAS-FF and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet. Both are radial tire offerings in the 155R13 family, but they represent different historic tread and performance-oriented design approaches from major period manufacturers. They are not separate wheel-diameter systems, and both remain within the same general fitment class for Nissan 310.
For a Nissan 310 owner, the practical difference is less about basic fit and more about which series best suits the car’s character and the owner’s goals. One buyer may prefer a period European-style performance radial feel, while another may prefer a different brand’s look and heritage. After verifying size, compare series details such as sidewall presentation, intended use, and overall appearance on the car.
The Nissan 310 tire products listed here are blackwall tires. The Michelin and Dunlop options associated with the available 155R13 fitment both use blackwall sidewalls, which suit the compact imported character of Nissan 310. No alternate sidewall style appears in the current Nissan 310 product group.
That makes sidewall selection fairly straightforward for a Nissan 310 owner who wants a period-appropriate look. The main decision is not whitewall versus blackwall, but which radial size and which brand or series best matches the car. If the vehicle is being judged or restored to a particular presentation standard, sidewall appearance should still be checked against period photos and marque references.
Maintenance & Longevity
A Nissan 310 should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination. Tire pressures should be checked before storage so the carcass is not left underinflated. If the car will sit for long periods, moving it slightly from time to time helps reduce flat-spotting on radial tires.
Collector cars such as Nissan 310 often spend far more time parked than driven, and that storage pattern can age tires before the tread is worn out. Clean floors, stable temperatures, and proper inflation do more for tire life than many owners realize. If the car is stored for an extended season, a pre-drive inspection should be part of the routine before it goes back on the road.
Tires on a Nissan 310 should be inspected at the start of each driving season and again before any longer road outing. Look closely for sidewall cracking, tread separation signs, irregular wear, impact damage, punctures, and air loss. On an older compact car, also pay attention to wear patterns that may point to alignment, suspension, or bushing issues rather than the tire alone.
Regular inspection matters because collector-use tires can age quietly while the car appears mechanically sound. A Nissan 310 that is only driven occasionally may not give many warning miles before a tire problem becomes serious. Frequent visual checks, pressure checks, and occasional professional inspection are the best way to catch issues early and preserve both the tires and the car’s drivability.
Tires on a Nissan 310 should be replaced when they show age cracking, hardening, bulges, vibration from internal deterioration, repeated air loss, or any visible structural damage, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector cars often age out tires before they wear them out. Tread depth alone is not a reliable measure of serviceability on a low-mileage Nissan 310.
That is especially important on a car that has spent years in storage or has an unknown maintenance history. A Nissan 310 may appear road-ready while sitting on tires that are no longer trustworthy because of age rather than mileage. Replacing questionable tires before regular driving helps protect the wheels, suspension, and overall safety of a car that is now well into collector age.
Restoration & Authenticity
Nissan 310 is associated here with two original-style fitment sizes across its 1980 to 1982 run: 155R13 and 165/70R13. The currently available products tied to Nissan 310 are radial tires in the 155R13 family, including Michelin XAS-FF and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet. Since both listed sizes appear in all three years, the exact original fit for a specific Nissan 310 depends on the individual car’s configuration.
For a careful restoration, the best approach is to verify the car against factory literature, period brochures, service information, or model-specific club knowledge. Authenticity can hinge on details such as section width and profile, even when the wheel diameter remains 13 inches. Choosing the tire that matches the specific Nissan 310 rather than the broad model group will usually produce the most convincing finished result.
Correct tire fitment can affect both the visual authenticity and the judging outcome of a Nissan 310, especially as early Japanese compacts gain more collector attention. The right size influences stance, wheelwell fill, and overall period presentation. Even when two sizes are accepted within the model family, judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice when a tire profile does not match the specific car’s intended configuration.
For a Nissan 310 being restored to a high standard, tire selection should be treated as part of the car’s overall specification, not an afterthought. Marque clubs, preserved examples, and original sales material are the best references when deciding between the listed sizes. Getting that decision right supports both authenticity and the car’s long-term credibility in enthusiast circles.
Michelin XAS-FF and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet are the two tire series currently associated with Nissan 310 in the available 155R13 family. Both are radial blackwall offerings from major historic brands, but they are distinct series with their own period character, tread philosophy, and presentation. Neither changes the basic 13-inch fitment class of Nissan 310 when matched in the correct size.
For restoration work, the choice between those series usually comes down to what appearance and brand story best suit the car being finished. One owner may prioritize a certain period-correct visual impression, while another may want continuity with tires the car wore in period use. Once the correct Nissan 310 size is established, comparing the two series becomes an authenticity decision as much as a functional one.
Safety & Road Use
A properly sized, properly mounted, and healthy radial tire can be suitable for public-road use on a Nissan 310, provided the rest of the car is equally roadworthy. Nissan 310 is a late-classic compact rather than a brass-era machine, so normal road use is realistic when tire condition, inflation, brakes, suspension, and alignment are all in order. Safety depends on the complete condition of the car, not the tire in isolation.
The key step is making sure the Nissan 310 is on the correct size and that the tires are not simply old-looking originals with decent tread. Any collector car that has sat for long periods deserves a full mechanical review before regular driving. Once that baseline is established, a correctly fitted radial tire supports the practical, roadgoing character Nissan 310 had when new.
Before driving a Nissan 310, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, wheel security, brake feel, steering response, and any signs of fluid leaks or suspension looseness. On the tires specifically, verify that all four match appropriately in size and construction for the intended setup. A compact front-wheel-drive car is especially sensitive to poor alignment and uneven tire condition.
That pre-drive routine matters because a Nissan 310 can feel stable at low speed while still hiding problems that become obvious only once the car is moving. If the car has recently come out of storage, start with a short local drive and recheck the tires afterward for heat, pressure loss, or vibration. Catching problems early is much easier than correcting damage after a failure.
A Nissan 310 should be driven at speeds appropriate to the condition, age, and specification of the tires actually fitted to the car, not simply to modern traffic expectations. When the tires are fresh, correctly sized radial replacements in good condition, Nissan 310 can be used much more practically than an earlier antique vehicle. When the tires are aged, mismatched, or of uncertain history, speed should be reduced until the condition is fully evaluated.
The practical rule is to let tire condition set the pace. An older Nissan 310 with recently inspected radial tires, proper inflation, and a sound chassis can be enjoyed normally within reasonable limits, while a car on old or questionable rubber should be treated conservatively. Smooth driving, moderate speed, and avoiding sustained high-speed use are wise habits for any collector-era compact.