Nissan 510 Tires

Nissan 510 uses two tire sizes across the 1978 through 1981 model years: 165R13 and 6.45-13. The 165R13 size appears from 1978 through 1981 and uses a 13-inch rim. The 6.45-13 size appears in 1978 and 1979 and also uses a 13-inch rim, but it is a numeric bias-ply format rather than a metric radial size.

That means 1980 and 1981 cars point to 165R13, while 1978 and 1979 cars need a closer look because both sizes appear in those years. If the goal is a later-style radial driving feel, 165R13 is the relevant size. If the goal is a period-style bias-ply presentation for an early car, 6.45-13 is the alternate listing to evaluate.

On a Nissan 510, 6.45-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 6.45 refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches, and the 13 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. It is an older sizing convention than 165R13, and it points to a bias-ply construction rather than a radial tire.

That distinction matters because the tire's construction affects appearance, ride quality, and the rest of the fitment package. A Nissan 510 running 6.45-13 should be treated as a tube-type bias-ply application, so the wheel, tube, and restoration intent should all match that choice. It is the right question to ask first on a 1978 or 1979 car that may no longer wear its original-style tire setup.

A 1978 Nissan 510 has 2 tire sizes listed because that year includes both a 165R13 radial size and a 6.45-13 bias-ply size. The split is not a wheel diameter change, since both sizes use 13-inch rims. It is a construction split between a metric radial format and an older numeric bias-ply format.

For the owner, that means the correct choice depends on how the car is configured and what result is desired. A restored car aiming for a more period-correct bias-ply presentation may call for 6.45-13, while a car using the later radial style should stay with 165R13. Looking at the tire type already on the car and the wheel setup will usually clarify which path makes sense.

Nissan 510 tube requirements depend on the size and construction being used. The 6.45-13 numeric size is a bias-ply fitment and calls for a tube-type setup. The 165R13 products are radial tubeless tires, so a Nissan 510 using that size is not automatically a tube application in the same way as the bias-ply alternative.

The practical step is to match the tube decision to the actual tire and wheel combination rather than assuming all 13-inch Nissan 510 tires use the same approach. If the car is being kept in a radial configuration, stay with radial-compatible components. If it is being converted or restored to the 6.45-13 bias-ply size, plan the installation as a full tube-type package.

A 1979 Nissan 510 can use either 165R13 or 6.45-13, so the year alone does not settle the question. Both sizes fit a 13-inch rim, but they represent different construction types: 165R13 is radial, while 6.45-13 is numeric bias-ply. The later 1980 and 1981 Nissan 510 listing narrows to 165R13 only.

The best way to confirm the right tire for a 1979 Nissan 510 is to inspect the current wheel and tire combination and decide whether the car is being kept in radial form or restored with bias-ply tires. A car with a long history of radial use should usually stay with that format unless the full wheel-and-tire package is being reconsidered for authenticity reasons.

Nissan 510 tires in the available listings come from Michelin and Dunlop. Michelin appears with the XAS-FF and XAS series in 165HR13 form, while Dunlop appears with the SP Sport Aquajet in 165R13. All currently listed products apply to the 165R13 radial size rather than the 6.45-13 bias-ply size.

That gives a Nissan 510 owner a choice among period-appropriate radial lines with blackwall styling on a 13-inch rim. Buyers comparing among them should look first at the exact size marking, then at the intended use of the car. A touring-oriented collector car and a more preservation-minded car may both use 165R13, but not every owner values the same period feel or brand heritage.

The listed Nissan 510 tire series are Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, all in the 165R13 radial category. That means the difference here is not bias-ply versus radial construction, but the specific radial line and tread family being offered under each brand. All of them are blackwall 13-inch radial options for the metric size.

For a Nissan 510 owner, the practical question is whether the car is staying with the 165R13 radial fitment at all. Once that is settled, the series choice becomes more about brand preference, period character, and the style of radial tire you want the car to wear. The 6.45-13 bias-ply route is a different direction entirely and should not be treated as interchangeable with the radial listings.

A Nissan 510 should be stored on a clean, dry surface away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and wide temperature swings. Tires age more gracefully when they are kept out of prolonged heat and away from electric motors, chargers, and welders that can accelerate rubber deterioration. Inflation should be checked before storage so the car is not left resting on underinflated tires.

If the Nissan 510 will sit for long periods, move it slightly from time to time or use methods that reduce flat-spotting and sidewall stress. A car fitted with bias-ply tires deserves especially careful storage because older-style constructions can take a set more readily than modern radials. Clean wheels and proper storage conditions are often as important as mileage in preserving collector-car tires.

Tires on a Nissan 510 should be inspected regularly, not just when the car is driven a lot. A low-mileage collector car can develop cracking, pressure loss, impact damage, or age-related hardening even when the tread still looks good. Inspection should include sidewalls, tread, valve stems, inflation pressure, and any signs of uneven wear that might indicate alignment or suspension issues.

A practical routine is to inspect a Nissan 510 before each drive and give the tires a more thorough review several times a year. Cars using older-style bias-ply tires deserve extra attention because they can be more sensitive to storage conditions and long periods of inactivity. Any vibration, pull, or sudden change in ride quality should trigger a closer check before additional road use.

A Nissan 510 tire should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, or structural concerns appear, even if the tread depth still looks usable. Collector-car tires often age out before they wear out, especially on cars that see occasional rather than daily use. The decision should be made on condition and age as much as on visible tread remaining.

That is especially true on a Nissan 510 that spends long stretches parked and then goes out for seasonal drives. Fresh-looking sidewalls do not automatically mean the internal structure is healthy. If the car carries an older bias-ply setup or a long-installed radial set, periodic professional evaluation is wise so age-related issues are caught before they become a road-use problem.

Nissan 510 appears here with two period-relevant size directions: 165R13 and 6.45-13. The 165R13 listing is radial, while 6.45-13 is a numeric bias-ply size used on 1978 and 1979 models. That tells you the Nissan 510 sat in a transition period where more than one tire type could be associated with the model, depending on year and configuration.

For restoration work, the correct answer for a specific Nissan 510 is best tied to the exact year and the car's intended presentation. A preservation-minded owner may prefer the bias-ply path for an early car, while another restorer may treat the radial size as the correct period direction. Original paperwork, marque references, and the car's existing wheel-and-tire history are the right final checks.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Nissan 510 is judged and perceived, especially when the car is restored with attention to period detail. Size, construction type, and sidewall appearance all influence whether the finished car looks historically consistent. A radial metric tire and a numeric bias-ply tire create noticeably different visual and driving impressions even when both fit a 13-inch wheel.

For a Nissan 510 that will be shown, judged, or presented as a faithful restoration, tires should be chosen as part of the car's overall authenticity plan rather than as an isolated replacement item. Marque clubs, period photos, and factory literature are valuable references when deciding between a radial and bias-ply presentation. The closer the tire choice matches the car's era and intended specification, the stronger the result.

The currently listed Nissan 510 radial products in 165R13 are blackwall tires. That sidewall style aligns naturally with the late-1970s and early-1980s character of the model range covered here. No alternate sidewall style appears in the listed radial offerings for this page.

For restoration purposes, a Nissan 510 owner should treat blackwall as the available visual direction in the listed 165R13 options. If the car is being restored toward a radial-equipped late-period look, that makes the sidewall decision straightforward. The remaining authenticity question is less about whitewall versus blackwall and more about whether the car should wear the radial metric size or the numeric bias-ply alternative.

A Nissan 510 can be driven on public roads when the tires are the correct size, in sound condition, properly inflated, and matched to the car's wheel and suspension condition. The 165R13 radial options are the more road-oriented modern-style choice within this listing, while the 6.45-13 bias-ply size is more specialized in character. Safety depends on condition, age, installation quality, and the overall mechanical state of the car, not on size designation alone.

For practical use, a Nissan 510 intended for regular road driving is usually better served by staying within the radial size appropriate to its configuration. A bias-ply setup can still be suitable for a collector car, but it should be approached with an understanding of its different handling feel and maintenance needs. Before any meaningful road use, inspect the tires closely and make sure the rest of the chassis is equally ready.

Before driving a Nissan 510, check tire pressure, sidewall condition, tread surface, valve stems, and wheel security. Look for cracks, bulges, impact damage, uneven wear, or signs that the car has been sitting on underinflated tires. If the car uses a 6.45-13 bias-ply setup, also be sure the tube-type arrangement is in proper condition.

A short pre-drive walkaround is one of the best habits a Nissan 510 owner can develop, especially on a collector car that may sit between outings. Any new vibration, pull, or steering change should be treated as a warning sign rather than normal old-car behavior. Tire condition should be considered together with brakes, steering, and suspension before the car returns to regular road use.

Appropriate speed for a Nissan 510 depends on the tire type fitted, the tire's age and condition, and the condition of the car itself. A healthy radial setup in the correct 165R13 size generally supports more relaxed real-world driving than an older-style bias-ply arrangement. Even so, a collector car should never be driven as though modern traffic conditions erase the limits imposed by age, maintenance, and chassis design.

The sensible approach is to drive a Nissan 510 at moderate speeds that suit the road, the weather, and the actual state of the tires under the car. If the car is on bias-ply tires, leave a larger margin for braking and lane changes and keep speeds conservative until you are comfortable with how it responds. Smooth, deliberate driving is the right mindset regardless of which listed size you choose.