Volkswagen Scirocco Tires

Volkswagen Scirocco uses three tire sizes across the 1975 to 1989 run covered here: 155R13 for 1975 applications, 175/70R13 for 1975 through 1987, and 185/60R14 for 1987 through 1989. Both 155R13 and 175/70R13 are 13-inch wheel fitments, while 185/60R14 is a 14-inch wheel fitment.

That year overlap matters because a calendar year alone does not always identify the correct tire. A 1975 Volkswagen Scirocco may use either 155R13 or 175/70R13, and a 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco may use either 175/70R13 or 185/60R14, so the wheel diameter and the tire size already fitted to the car should both be checked before making a final selection.

Volkswagen Scirocco shows multiple sizes in 1975 and again in 1987 because those years sit at transition points within the model’s fitment history. In 1975, both 155R13 and 175/70R13 appear on 13-inch wheels, while in 1987 the listings split between 175/70R13 on 13-inch wheels and 185/60R14 on 14-inch wheels.

The practical meaning is different in each case. For 1975, the decision is between two 13-inch radial sizes, so the actual tire and wheel combination already on the car is the best first clue; for 1987, the more critical distinction is wheel diameter, because a 13-inch tire cannot be fitted to a 14-inch wheel and vice versa.

Volkswagen Scirocco uses both 13-inch and 14-inch rim diameters in the years covered here. The 13-inch wheel is used with 155R13 and 175/70R13 sizes, while the 14-inch wheel appears with 185/60R14; the change to the larger rim first shows up in 1987.

Wheel diameter is the most important first check on this model because it immediately narrows the correct tire family. If the car has 13-inch wheels, the correct size will be one of the two 13-inch options tied to its year and setup, while a 14-inch wheel points to the later 185/60R14 fitment.

Start with the year, then confirm the wheel diameter actually fitted to the Volkswagen Scirocco. A 1975 Volkswagen Scirocco can appear with either 155R13 or 175/70R13, both on 13-inch wheels, while a 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco can appear with either 175/70R13 on a 13-inch wheel or 185/60R14 on a 14-inch wheel.

The best approach is to read the existing tire size, measure or verify the wheel diameter, and compare both against the year listing. On transition-year cars, original paperwork, service history, or a knowledgeable Volkswagen specialist can help determine whether the car is still on its intended wheel-and-tire combination or has been changed over time.

Volkswagen Scirocco tires in the available listings use blackwall sidewalls across all three sizes. That includes the 155R13, 175/70R13, and 185/60R14 fitments, with no whitewall or specialty sidewall treatment shown for these applications.

Blackwall styling suits the sporty, European character of Volkswagen Scirocco and is the expected visual choice for the period covered here. If appearance matters for a restoration or period-style driver, keeping the car on a blackwall radial in the correct size will preserve the clean, understated look associated with these late-classic Volkswagens.

The available Volkswagen Scirocco tire listings include Avon, Michelin, and Dunlop. Avon appears in 175/70R13, Michelin appears in 155R13 and 185/60R14, and Dunlop appears in 155R13.

Brand choice can be narrowed by starting with size first, because not every brand is represented in every fitment. Once the correct size and wheel diameter are confirmed, the decision becomes one of tread style, period character, and how closely the tire matches the intended use of the Volkswagen Scirocco as a restored original, occasional driver, or sportier road car.

Volkswagen Scirocco tires here appear in four distinct series: Avon CR6ZZ, Michelin XAS-FF, Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, and Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2. All are radial tires, but they represent different design families, with some carrying a more period-sporting character for smaller early sizes and others suiting later lower-profile fitments.

Series choice matters after basic fitment is settled, not before. An early Volkswagen Scirocco on 13-inch wheels may call for a different visual and handling balance than a later 14-inch car, so the tire series should be chosen to match the car’s year, wheel size, and the owner’s priorities for originality, road manners, and period-appropriate appearance.

Volkswagen Scirocco should be stored on clean, properly inflated tires in a cool, dry, dark space away from ozone sources such as electric motors, compressors, and welders. Long exposure to sunlight, heat, and chemical contamination can shorten tire life even when the car is driven very little.

If the Volkswagen Scirocco will sit for extended periods, move it occasionally to avoid flat-spotting and keep the tires from carrying the same load in one position for months at a time. Owners storing the car through a season often benefit from checking inflation regularly and keeping the suspension and alignment in good order so the tire contact patch remains even.

Tires on a Volkswagen Scirocco should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly at regular service intervals. Look for cracking, bulges, punctures, uneven tread wear, and signs that inflation has drifted, since low-use collector cars often age out tires long before they wear them out.

A practical routine is to check air pressure, sidewalls, and tread condition every time the Volkswagen Scirocco comes out of storage or before any longer trip. Uneven wear can also point to alignment, steering, or suspension issues, which is especially relevant on a sporty front-wheel-drive car where tire condition directly affects tracking, braking, and turn-in feel.

Tires on a Volkswagen Scirocco should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, or irregular wear indicates the casing is no longer sound, even if plenty of tread remains. Collector cars often accumulate far fewer miles than daily drivers, so condition matters more than tread depth alone.

Any Volkswagen Scirocco that spends long periods parked should have its tires evaluated on time as well as appearance. If the car develops vibration, sidewall checking, loss of wet traction, or a noticeably hardened ride, those are signs to inspect the tires closely and consider replacement before regular road use continues.

Volkswagen Scirocco is associated here with 155R13, 175/70R13, and 185/60R14 radial sizes depending on year. The available tire series include Michelin XAS-FF, Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, Avon CR6ZZ, and Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2, but the correct original-style choice depends on the specific year and wheel package on the individual car.

For a restoration, the goal is to match both the size and the overall character of the tire to the period of the Volkswagen Scirocco being restored. Factory literature, period road tests, and Volkswagen marque resources remain the best references when trying to confirm whether a narrower early radial or a later lower-profile fitment is most appropriate for a particular car.

Correct tire fitment can affect how a Volkswagen Scirocco is judged, presented, and valued, especially when the car is restored to a period-correct standard. Size, sidewall appearance, and overall visual proportion all influence whether the car looks true to its production year and intended specification.

A Volkswagen Scirocco fitted with the proper wheel diameter and an era-appropriate radial size will usually present better than one wearing a visibly incorrect profile or oversized wheel-and-tire package. Owners pursuing show judging or marque-sensitive restoration work should compare their car with period photos and consult Volkswagen club knowledge to make sure the tire choice supports the car’s authenticity.

Volkswagen Scirocco restoration tires in the available fitments are blackwall designs, and that sidewall treatment aligns naturally with the model’s European sport-coupe identity. No whitewall or decorative sidewall alternatives appear in the listed sizes for this application.

That makes the restoration decision more about choosing the correct size and tire character than debating sidewall color. A blackwall radial in the proper 13-inch or 14-inch fitment will usually look far more convincing on a Volkswagen Scirocco than an incorrect diameter or profile, even if the car is otherwise very well restored.

The listed Volkswagen Scirocco tires are modern radial products in period-appropriate sizes, so they are intended for real road use when they are correctly matched to the wheel diameter and the car is mechanically sound. Safety still depends on the overall condition of the tire, proper inflation, and the condition of the suspension, steering, and brakes.

On a Volkswagen Scirocco, the most important safety step is choosing the correct 13-inch or 14-inch fitment first, because the transition years can easily cause confusion. Once the proper size is fitted, the car should be road-tested carefully and any vibration, pull, or instability should be treated as a reason to recheck tires, alignment, and chassis condition.

Before driving a Volkswagen Scirocco, check tire pressure, sidewall condition, tread condition, and confirm that all four tires are the correct size for the wheels on the car. It is also wise to inspect for age cracking, impact damage, and uneven wear, especially on collector cars that may sit for long periods between drives.

A Volkswagen Scirocco rewards a careful pre-drive check because its handling balance depends heavily on tires being matched and properly inflated. If the car has recently changed hands or has mixed-period wheels, verify whether it belongs on 13-inch or 14-inch rims before any serious road use so the tire choice supports predictable braking and steering response.

A sensible speed for a Volkswagen Scirocco depends on more than the size stamped on the sidewall; it depends on the tire’s condition, inflation, age, and the car’s mechanical state. Even when the tire carries a modern speed-rated marking, an older collector car should still be driven with respect for suspension wear, brake condition, and the realities of period chassis design.

The practical approach is to build speed gradually after confirming that the Volkswagen Scirocco tracks straight, brakes evenly, and shows no vibration or heat-related issues. Fresh, correctly sized radials on sound wheels can make the car very usable, but confidence should come from careful inspection and testing rather than assuming any vintage or collector vehicle should be driven at modern highway pace without preparation.