Nissan PL510 Tires

Nissan PL510 uses two tire sizes across the 1968 through 1973 span: 165R13 and 560-13. The 165R13 size is a radial fitted to 13-inch rims, while 560-13 is a numeric bias-ply size that also fits 13-inch rims. Available 165R13 products are blackwall radials, and available 560-13 products are bias-ply tires offered in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles.

The practical choice comes down to how the individual Nissan PL510 is equipped and how you want it to present. A car set up for radial driving manners will usually point you toward 165R13, while a period-style restoration that wants a classic bias-ply look may point you toward 560-13. Wheel width matters here as well, so check the actual wheel on the car before final selection.

On a Nissan PL510, 560-13 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The 560 indicates the tire's nominal section width with the decimal omitted, placing it in the 5.60-inch width class, and the 13 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. The available products in this size are all bias-ply tires for 13-inch rims.

That matters because 560-13 does not correspond directly to the feel or appearance of a modern radial, even though both sizes fit the same basic model range. If your Nissan PL510 is being restored with whitewall styling or a period-correct bias-ply stance, this is the size family to examine closely. It also calls for tube-type fitment, so plan the installation accordingly.

A 1968 Nissan PL510 has two tire sizes listed because this model group is represented by both a metric radial size, 165R13, and a numeric bias-ply size, 560-13. Both fit 13-inch rims, so the split is not caused by a wheel diameter change. It reflects a difference in construction type, appearance, and wheel width range rather than a different model year break.

That means the right choice depends on the individual car's wheels and the owner's goals. A stock-style restoration may lean toward the bias-ply option for period look, while a driver-oriented Nissan PL510 may be better matched to the radial option. Looking at the wheel width and the intended use of the car will usually settle the question faster than the model year alone.

Nissan PL510 does not require the same answer for every listed tire size. The available 560-13 products are bias-ply tires, and a tube is required with that size. The available 165R13 products are radial tires identified as TL in the product sizing, which indicates tubeless construction for that radial fitment.

When ordering for a Nissan PL510, match the tube decision to the actual tire type rather than assuming all 13-inch tires install the same way. If the car is getting a bias-ply whitewall in 560-13, include the proper tube setup in the installation plan. If it is staying with 165R13 radial fitment, confirm that the wheel condition is suitable for tubeless service.

Nissan PL510 is listed with both bias-ply and radial tire choices, so either direction is possible depending on the car's purpose. The 560-13 options are bias-ply tires with period-style whitewall presentation, while the 165R13 options are radial blackwalls. Both use 13-inch rims, but they are aimed at different driving and appearance priorities.

If your Nissan PL510 is being restored for authentic visual character, the bias-ply option may better suit the project. If the car is driven regularly and you want a more modern road feel, the radial option is often the more natural fit. Keep the decision consistent with wheel width, suspension condition, and the overall character you want from the car.

Yes, radial tires can change how a Nissan PL510 feels compared with bias-ply tires. The 165R13 radial options are a different construction from the 560-13 bias-ply choices, and that usually affects steering feel, tracking, ride behavior, and the general way the car responds on the road. The change is not just cosmetic, even though both fit 13-inch wheels.

That means a Nissan PL510 built as a road car may feel more settled and familiar to modern drivers on radials, while a bias-ply setup preserves more of the period driving character. The important point is to choose deliberately rather than treating the two sizes as interchangeable equivalents. Matching all four tires to the same construction is the sound way to keep the car's behavior predictable.

Mixing bias-ply and radial tires on a Nissan PL510 is generally not a good practice. The listed sizes represent two different construction types, and they respond differently under steering, braking, and cornering loads. Even when both fit a 13-inch rim, they do not behave the same way on the road.

A Nissan PL510 will usually be better served by staying with one construction type at all four corners. That keeps the handling balance more consistent and avoids introducing conflicting responses from front to rear. If the car already has mixed tires fitted, use that as a cue to inspect the wheel widths and settle on one complete tire plan before putting meaningful road miles on the car.

A 1971 Nissan PL510 can use either 165R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply fitment, so confirmation starts with the actual wheels on the car and the intended restoration direction. Both sizes use 13-inch rims, but the listed wheel width ranges differ between the available radial and bias-ply products. Sidewall presentation differs too, with blackwall radial choices and whitewall bias-ply choices.

The quickest path is to inspect the existing tire size, measure or verify wheel width, and decide whether the car is being kept in a driver-oriented radial setup or a period-style bias-ply setup. A Nissan PL510 that has already been restored may not still be wearing its original style of tire. Treat the year as the starting point, then confirm the wheel and appearance target before choosing.

Nissan PL510 tires are available in several sidewall styles within the listed sizes. The 165R13 radial choices are blackwall, while the 560-13 bias-ply choices include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions. That gives the model a noticeably different visual character depending on which size and construction you select.

For a cleaner sport-sedan appearance, many owners will gravitate toward the blackwall radial look. For a more period-styled presentation, especially on a restoration that wants a classic bias-ply presence, the whitewall 560-13 options are the relevant choices. The sidewall decision should follow the same logic as the construction decision, since appearance and driving character are linked here.

Nissan PL510 tires in the listed sizes are available from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 165R13 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich and Firestone cover the 560-13 bias-ply fitment. Those brand choices line up with the two different construction paths offered for this model group.

That brand split helps narrow the search once you decide how the Nissan PL510 will be used. If you are after a radial blackwall setup, the Michelin and Dunlop options are the relevant group. If the project calls for a bias-ply whitewall look, the BFGoodrich and Firestone choices deserve the closer comparison, especially for wheel width and sidewall presentation.

Nissan PL510 is represented here by several distinct tire series: Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Firestone Classic Bias Ply. The Michelin and Dunlop series are radial offerings in 165R13, while the BFGoodrich and Firestone series are bias-ply offerings in 560-13. The biggest difference between them is construction type first, with sidewall styling and wheel width range following behind.

For a Nissan PL510 owner, that means the series choice should come after the more basic decision about radial versus bias-ply. Once that is settled, compare the available sidewall styles, the wheel width range, and the look you want the car to carry. A blackwall radial series suits a more driver-focused presentation, while the classic bias-ply series suit a more traditional restoration style.

A Nissan PL510 should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and long exposure to heat. Clean tires and properly inflated tires resist flat-spotting and sidewall stress better during long periods of inactivity. If the car sits for extended stretches, moving it occasionally or supporting it appropriately can help reduce prolonged load in one spot.

Collector cars often spend far more time parked than driven, so storage habits have a direct effect on tire life. A Nissan PL510 fitted with either radial or bias-ply tires benefits from regular pressure checks during storage and from avoiding oil, solvent, and electrical equipment exposure nearby. Good storage practice protects both appearance and structural condition, which matters on any vintage car.

Tires on a Nissan PL510 should be inspected at regular intervals even if the car covers very few miles. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, impact damage, irregular wear, pressure loss, and signs that the tire is aging unevenly from sitting. Vintage cars can hide tire issues because they are often driven gently and infrequently.

A practical routine is to inspect a Nissan PL510 before each drive and to give the tires a more thorough check several times during the season. That is especially important if the car alternates between long storage periods and occasional highway use. Catching a valve, tube, alignment, or casing issue early is much easier than discovering it once the car is already out on the road.

Tires on a Nissan PL510 should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, bulges, separations, or repeated pressure loss show that the casing is no longer trustworthy, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector-car tires often age out before they wear out. Visual appearance alone is not enough to judge serviceability on an older tire.

That is particularly important on a Nissan PL510 because many examples are lightly used and may carry tires that look acceptable at a glance. If the rubber has gone hard or the sidewalls show age-related deterioration, replacement is the prudent move before regular driving resumes. An annual inspection by a tire professional familiar with collector vehicles is a sensible benchmark for low-mileage cars.

Nissan PL510 is represented here by both 165R13 radial and 560-13 bias-ply fitment across the 1968 to 1973 run, which means more than one period-appropriate direction exists for this model group. The available product families include radial blackwalls and bias-ply whitewalls rather than a single original-equipment answer. That makes the individual car's restoration standard more important than relying on one universal tire choice.

For a careful restoration, compare the Nissan PL510's existing wheel setup, old photographs, factory literature, and marque-club knowledge before settling on the final tire style. A car restored as a roadgoing sport sedan may lean naturally toward radial blackwalls, while one seeking a more period visual statement may point toward bias-ply whitewalls. Authenticity usually lives in those details rather than in the year badge alone.

Correct tire fitment can affect both the presentation and the credibility of a Nissan PL510 restoration. Judges and experienced enthusiasts notice whether the tire's construction type, sidewall style, and overall stance suit the car's era and restoration intent. A radial blackwall and a bias-ply whitewall can give the same Nissan PL510 very different visual messages.

That does not mean there is only one acceptable route, but it does mean the choice should be intentional. If the car is being prepared for marque-focused judging, consult the standards and club guidance that apply to that level of restoration. If the goal is a driver with period flavor, select the tire that supports that purpose while still looking coherent on the car.

Nissan PL510 has blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options within the listed tire offerings. The blackwall options belong to the 165R13 radial fitment, while the narrow and wide whitewall options belong to the 560-13 bias-ply fitment. Each gives the car a different period impression, so sidewall style is part of the restoration decision, not just a cosmetic extra.

A cleaner, sportier Nissan PL510 build will often look most at home on blackwall radials. A more stylized or period-oriented presentation may lean toward one of the whitewall bias-ply options instead. The right answer is the one that matches the car's wheel choice, stance, and restoration philosophy in a way that feels consistent from bumper to bumper.

These tires can be appropriate for public-road use on a Nissan PL510 when the correct size, construction type, wheel width, and overall vehicle condition all line up properly. The model's listed options include modern-style radial construction in 165R13 and bias-ply construction in 560-13, so road behavior will differ depending on which path is chosen. Safety depends on proper matching and condition, not on the model name alone.

Before regular road use, make sure the Nissan PL510 has a sound suspension, steering system, brakes, and wheels, then verify tire age and inflation practice. A car on fresh, properly selected radials will feel different from one on bias-ply whitewalls, and the driver should respect that. Safe public-road use starts with choosing a complete tire setup that suits the car rather than mixing styles or constructions.

Before driving a Nissan PL510, check inflation pressure, visible tire condition, valve condition, and any signs of cracking, bulges, or sidewall damage. Also look at tread wear patterns, because uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension issues that matter just as much as the tire itself. On a vintage car, a quick walk-around before every outing is time well spent.

A Nissan PL510 that has been sitting can develop problems without obvious warning, especially if the tires are older or the car is used only seasonally. Confirm that all four tires are the intended size and construction, and be alert for vibration or pull once the car is moving. Early detection is the key advantage collector-car owners have, so use it before each drive.

Appropriate speed for a Nissan PL510 depends on the specific tire construction fitted, the age and condition of the tires, and the overall mechanical condition of the car. A fresh radial setup and a fresh bias-ply setup should not be treated as identical in feel or response, even if both are correct 13-inch fitments. Vintage tires should always be driven with mechanical sympathy rather than pushed simply because tread depth looks acceptable.

The sensible approach is to build speed gradually and stay within the comfort range of the car, the tire type, and the road conditions. If a Nissan PL510 is on older bias-ply tires, expect a more deliberate, period-style driving experience than with radial tires. Any sign of vibration, wandering, heat buildup, or instability is reason to slow down and inspect the car before continuing.