Nissan PL312 Tires

Nissan PL312 uses two listed tire sizes for the 1963 and 1964 model years: 155R13 and 560-13. The 155R13 option is a radial size built for a 13-inch rim, while the 560-13 option is a numeric bias-ply size that also fits a 13-inch rim. In the available products, radial choices appear in blackwall form, and bias-ply choices appear with narrow or wide whitewalls.

The practical choice comes down to how the car is being used and presented. A restorer aiming for a more period-authentic appearance will usually focus on 560-13, while an owner who wants radial construction for road driving may prefer 155R13. Wheel width matters as well, so match the tire to the actual rim on the car rather than relying on year alone.

On a Nissan PL312, 560-13 is an older numeric bias-ply size designation. The 560 refers to the tire's nominal section width in the traditional inch-based system with the decimal omitted, and the 13 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. Every available 560-13 product for Nissan PL312 is a bias-ply tire built for a 13-inch rim.

That matters because 560-13 is not interchangeable in character with a radial even though both listed sizes fit 13-inch wheels. A bias-ply tire gives the car a more period-correct look and driving feel, and it should be matched to the proper rim width. For Nissan PL312 owners pursuing authentic presentation, the numeric size is usually the first place to look.

A 1963 Nissan PL312 has 2 tire sizes listed because the fitment splits by construction type rather than by model year alone. The two choices are 155R13 in radial construction and 560-13 in bias-ply construction, and both are associated with 13-inch rims. The same split also appears for 1964 Nissan PL312 models.

That means the correct choice depends on the specific car's current wheels, the desired handling character, and whether the goal is restoration accuracy or regular driving. If the car has been updated over the years, check the wheel width and compare the existing tire markings before replacing anything. Nissan PL312 buyers should treat the year as the starting point and the actual wheel-and-tire setup as the deciding factor.

Nissan PL312 bias-ply tires in 560-13 should be treated as tube-type fitments. The available 560-13 products are bias-ply tires, and that older construction is paired here with a tube-required setup. The radial 155R13 products do not carry that same tube requirement in their listed specifications.

In practice, that means a Nissan PL312 owner choosing 560-13 should plan the tire, tube, and wheel condition together rather than treating the tire as a standalone item. Tube fit, rim condition, and proper installation matter just as much as the outer tire size. Radial and bias-ply fitments should also not be treated the same way when planning a full replacement set.

Nissan PL312 is listed with both crossply and radial tire options. The crossply choice is 560-13 in bias-ply construction, while the radial choice is 155R13. Both fit 13-inch wheels, but they represent different driving characteristics and different visual results on the car.

Choose bias-ply for a more period-correct appearance, especially if the car is being restored for show presentation or kept close to early-1960s specification. Choose radial if the Nissan PL312 is driven regularly and the owner wants more modern road manners within the listed fitment range. The right answer depends less on the year and more on how the car is being used today.

Yes, radial tires can change the way a Nissan PL312 feels on the road compared with bias-ply tires. The listed 155R13 radial options are a different construction from the 560-13 bias-ply choices, and that difference typically affects steering feel, tracking, ride character, and the overall response of a lightweight early compact. Nissan PL312 owners often notice the contrast even when the wheel diameter stays the same at 13 inches.

That matters most if the car is driven more than it is displayed. A radial-equipped Nissan PL312 may feel more settled in normal road use, while a bias-ply setup preserves more of the original period character. If authenticity matters for judging or historical presentation, keep the car's intended role in mind before changing construction type.

Mixing crossply and radial tires on a Nissan PL312 is not a good practice. The listed sizes already reflect two distinct construction types—560-13 bias-ply and 155R13 radial—and those constructions behave differently under load, in turns, and during braking. Even if both happen to fit 13-inch wheels, they should not be treated as interchangeable within the same running set.

A Nissan PL312 will be more predictable when all four tires match in size family and construction. If the car is being converted from one type to the other, do the change as a complete set and evaluate the wheel widths at the same time. That approach keeps the handling balance far more consistent than mixing old and new construction styles.

A 1964 Nissan PL312 can use either 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply tires, so the correct choice starts with the car's actual wheel-and-tire configuration. Both sizes are tied to 13-inch rims, but the available products call for different rim width ranges depending on the tire. The sidewall style you want also matters, since the radial choices are blackwall while the bias-ply choices include whitewall options.

Start by reading the size on the current tire, then measure or confirm the wheel width before replacing the set. If the car is being restored, compare what is on the car with period photos, factory literature, or marque-club guidance. Nissan PL312 owners usually get the clearest answer by checking both the physical wheel and the intended use of the car.

Nissan PL312 tires are available here in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. The 155R13 radial products are blackwall, while the 560-13 bias-ply products include both a 1.00-inch narrow whitewall and 2.25-inch wide whitewall versions. That gives Nissan PL312 owners a choice between understated road-use appearance and more period-styled presentation.

For a conservative early-1960s compact look, blackwall or a narrower whitewall often suits the character of Nissan PL312 well. A wider whitewall creates a stronger vintage visual effect and may appeal more to owners building a show-oriented car. Sidewall style should be chosen together with construction type, since the appearance options differ between radial and bias-ply offerings.

Nissan PL312 tire options here come from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 155R13 radial size, while BFGoodrich and Firestone cover the 560-13 bias-ply size. That means the available brand mix also follows the split between modern-style radial fitment and traditional bias-ply fitment.

Brand choice should come after the more important decisions about size, construction, and sidewall appearance. Once those are settled, Nissan PL312 owners can compare the available series within the correct size family. The strongest results usually come from selecting the brand that supports the intended look and driving character rather than starting with brand alone.

Nissan PL312 is represented here by three tire series: Michelin XAS-FF, Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, and classic bias-ply series from BFGoodrich Silvertown and Firestone. The Michelin XAS-FF and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet are radial offerings in 155R13, while the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Firestone Classic Bias Ply options cover 560-13. The main difference is construction type first, then sidewall style and period presentation.

A Nissan PL312 owner choosing among these series should first decide whether the car needs radial road behavior or classic bias-ply appearance. After that, the series choice becomes more about visual finish and how closely the tire matches the car's restoration theme. Looking at the whole set as part of the vehicle's stance and character usually leads to a better decision than comparing model names alone.

A Nissan PL312 should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, ozone sources, solvents, and long-term exposure to heat. Clean tires and wheels before storage, and keep the inflation set appropriately for the construction being used. Collector cars sitting for long periods benefit from reducing concentrated load on one contact patch.

If a Nissan PL312 will sit for months at a time, move it periodically or use stands in a way that does not stress the suspension or chassis. Bias-ply tires especially can develop temporary flat spotting when left in one position. Good storage habits preserve both appearance and service life, which matters on a low-mileage collector car.

Tires on a Nissan PL312 should be inspected before regular road use and more thoroughly at least several times through the driving season. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, impact damage, uneven wear, valve condition, and any signs that the tire is not seated or aging evenly. A car that is driven infrequently can still develop tire issues simply from time and storage conditions.

Inspection matters even more on a light vintage car because long dormant periods can hide deterioration until the car is back on the road. Nissan PL312 owners should also check inflation, wheel condition, and date-related aging as part of a routine walkaround. Catching problems early is far easier than dealing with damage after a failure.

Tires on a Nissan PL312 should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, internal separation, or visible distortion becomes evident, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector vehicles often age out tires long before they wear them out. That applies to both radial and bias-ply tires because time and environment can compromise the casing well before the tread is gone.

A Nissan PL312 that sees occasional use can give a false sense of security if the tires still look presentable from a few feet away. Any sign of age-related deterioration should trigger a closer inspection and, if needed, replacement of the full set. On a collector car, tread depth is only one small part of the service-life decision.

Nissan PL312 is represented here by both 560-13 bias-ply and 155R13 radial fitments for the 1963 and 1964 years. That means more than one construction approach is associated with the model, rather than a single universal answer for every car. The available product families include classic bias-ply series as well as radial series, so the original-style choice depends on the specific restoration standard being followed.

For a strict restoration, the best reference is the car's factory literature, surviving original examples, or marque-club guidance tied to the specific market and configuration. Nissan PL312 owners restoring for show should match not only size, but also sidewall appearance and construction type. Authenticity is usually judged by the complete look and stance of the car, not by size alone.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect the presentation, judging outcome, and perceived quality of a Nissan PL312 restoration. Judges and experienced enthusiasts notice whether the tire size, construction type, and sidewall treatment suit the era and character of the car. A Nissan PL312 wearing an obviously mismatched tire can look visually off even when the wheel diameter is technically correct.

That does not mean every Nissan PL312 must wear the same tire, because intended use matters. A touring car may sensibly wear radial tires, while a concours-oriented example may look more appropriate on bias-ply tires with an era-consistent sidewall. Owners seeking judged authenticity should compare their choices against recognized marque standards before finalizing the setup.

Nissan PL312 tire choices here include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. The radial 155R13 options are blackwall, while the bias-ply 560-13 options include both narrow and wide whitewall presentations. That gives restorers several visual directions depending on whether the car is being preserved as a restrained compact or styled with a stronger period accent.

The most correct sidewall for a Nissan PL312 restoration depends on the exact restoration objective and the way the car was originally delivered or later presented in period. Blackwalls tend to suit a straightforward road-car appearance, while whitewalls push the visual character more toward classic show presentation. Period photos and marque-specific references are the best guide when appearance matters as much as fit.

A Nissan PL312 can be driven on public roads when the tires are the correct size, correctly installed, properly inflated, and in sound condition for their age and construction type. The listed choices include both radial and bias-ply tires, and either must be treated as part of a complete roadworthy setup that includes wheels, suspension, steering, and brakes. A vintage compact depends heavily on the condition of the whole system, not just fresh tread.

The practical takeaway is to judge safety by the entire car rather than by tire size alone. Nissan PL312 owners should inspect the wheels, verify that all four tires match in type and condition, and make sure the car tracks and brakes properly before normal road use. A careful shakedown after tire installation is part of responsible operation.

Before driving a Nissan PL312, check inflation pressure, visible tire condition, valve stems, wheel fasteners, and any sign of cracking, bulging, or separation. Confirm that all four tires match in size family and construction type, especially on a car that may have had parts changed over the years. On a Nissan PL312, the difference between 155R13 radial and 560-13 bias-ply fitment is significant enough that a quick visual review is worthwhile every time the car comes out.

It is also wise to look at basic chassis condition before setting off. Steering play, brake pull, and worn suspension parts can make even a correctly fitted tire feel wrong. A short local test drive after any long storage period helps reveal problems while the car is still close to home.

A Nissan PL312 should be driven at moderate, sensible speeds that respect the age of the vehicle, the condition of the tires, and the construction type fitted to the car. Bias-ply 560-13 tires and radial 155R13 tires will not feel the same at speed, and an unrestored or lightly used car should never be pushed as if it were a modern small sedan. Tire condition matters at least as much as the size itself.

For real-world use, Nissan PL312 owners should build speed gradually and pay close attention to stability, steering response, and brake behavior. If the car wanders, vibrates, or feels unsettled, stop and inspect before continuing. Vintage road use is best approached with mechanical sympathy rather than modern traffic expectations.