590-13 Tire Size Guide

The 590-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. In this code, 5.90 identifies the nominal section width in inches, and 13 identifies the wheel diameter in inches, so the tire is built to mount on a 13-inch rim.

Older numeric sizes like 590-13 differ from modern P-metric sizing because they do not directly spell out an aspect ratio or a full metric section width. Buyers using this size usually focus on the original wheel diameter, the traditional tall-sidewall profile typical of the period, and whether the tire’s proportions match the vehicle’s intended stance and restoration goal.

The 590-13 fits a 13.0-inch wheel, which converts to 330.2 millimeters. Rim diameter must match exactly, because a tire built for a 13-inch bead seat cannot be safely mounted on a different wheel diameter.

Wheel width matters too. In this size, the available fitment range is 3.50 to 4.00 inches wide, which is much narrower than many later 13-inch wheels. A buyer comparing old and replacement wheels should check both diameter and width, since the right diameter alone does not guarantee the tire will seat, profile, or clear the car properly.

The 590-13 has a nominal section width of 5.9 inches, or about 149.9 millimeters. Section width refers to the tire’s widest sidewall-to-sidewall measurement when mounted and inflated, not the tread width that actually contacts the road.

Clearance planning should be based on section width because that is the dimension most likely to interfere with fender lips, steering arms, suspension parts, or inner wheelhouses. Tread width is usually narrower, so buyers who measure only the visible tread can underestimate how much room the full inflated casing requires on a vintage vehicle.

Yes, 590-13 and 5.90-13 are two common ways of writing the same basic tire size. The difference is notation rather than fitment, with one format dropping the decimal point and the other keeping it in place.

Older tire literature and reproduction sidewall markings often vary in how numeric sizes are printed, so buyers may also see versions such as 59013 or 5.90X13. The important point is to confirm that the wheel diameter remains 13 inches and that the tire’s actual construction, load rating, and wheel-width requirements still suit the vehicle being restored or driven.

The 590-13 is commonly a tube-type fitment and is often set up with a tube. Tube use is still a wheel-and-tire-system question rather than a size question alone, so the actual tire, wheel design, and manufacturer guidance should be checked before installation.

Many vintage passenger-car wheels were originally designed around tube-type service, especially in the bias-ply era. A buyer should inspect the wheel condition, bead area, and valve setup rather than assuming every 13-inch wheel in this size should be treated the same way. When there is any doubt about tube use, wheel condition, or compatibility, a qualified tire professional should review the complete assembly.

A 590-13 tire in the available product range weighs 17 pounds. That figure refers to the tire by itself without the wheel, tube, or mounting hardware.

Tire weight is not usually the first number buyers ask about, but it does affect unsprung weight and can slightly influence how a small classic car feels over rough pavement. On a restoration, the bigger concern is usually matching the proper size, wheel fit, and construction type, yet weight still helps explain why one tire may feel denser or more substantial than another.

The 590-13 is associated with classic passenger cars from the 1950s into the late 1960s, especially smaller postwar sedans and similar compact vehicles. Its proportions suit narrow wheels and the taller sidewall look that was common before modern low-profile sizing became standard.

Application history is helpful, but it should not be treated as a blanket fitment rule. Buyers should compare the original owner’s manual or factory tire placard, confirm the wheel is truly a 13-inch rim of the correct width, and check steering and fender clearance at full lock and full suspension travel before settling on this size.

Yes, the 590-13 is often a strong choice for a period-correct restoration when the vehicle originally used a numeric bias-ply size in this range. Its bias-ply construction and narrow, tall profile align with the look and driving character many 1950s and 1960s passenger cars had when new.

Authenticity still depends on more than the sidewall code alone. Wheel width, whitewall style, overall stance, and the exact original specification for the car all affect whether the finished result looks right. Owners building a judged car usually benefit from checking original literature and period photos instead of treating any 13-inch bias-ply tire as automatically correct.

The 590-13 fits wheel widths from 3.50 to 4.00 inches. That is a narrow rim range, and staying within it helps the tire keep the profile and footprint the size was intended to have.

Using a wheel narrower than 3.50 inches can pinch the casing and change the sidewall shape, while a wheel wider than 4.00 inches can flatten the profile and alter both appearance and clearance. Buyers adapting replacement wheels should check width as carefully as diameter, because an incorrect rim can affect handling feel, sidewall shape, and period-correct stance.

The 590-13 is a bias-ply size, so its road feel is usually different from a modern radial of similar outside dimensions. Bias-ply tires generally have more sidewall interaction, a more vintage steering character, and a driving feel that matches the era of the cars that originally used them.

Driver impressions can change noticeably with suspension condition, alignment settings, wheel width, inflation, and vehicle weight. Someone restoring a smaller 1950s or 1960s car may prefer the authentic response of bias ply, while a buyer focused more on modern road manners may compare one of the known radial equivalents after checking diameter, stance, and wheel compatibility carefully.

A 590-13 bias-ply tire typically delivers a more vintage driving experience than a later radial replacement. Steering response, tracking, and ride behavior will feel more like the original period, especially on light classic passenger cars with narrow wheels and older suspension designs.

Modern road speeds and pavement conditions make condition and setup especially important. Buyers should pay attention to tire age, wheel trueness, alignment, suspension wear, and proper load matching before expecting predictable behavior. A fresh, properly mounted set can feel very different from an aged or mismatched set, even when the sidewall size appears correct.

Radial substitutes such as 165R13, P165/75R13, or P175/70R13 can change more than just construction type. Even when they are close in intent, they may alter section width, sidewall shape, wheel-opening fill, and the way the car responds to steering inputs or road grooves.

A buyer comparing equivalents should look beyond the fact that the tire mounts on a 13-inch wheel. Overall diameter affects effective gearing and speedometer behavior, while width and profile affect clearance and appearance. On a restoration, those differences can be as important as drivability, since a slightly shorter or wider substitute may look noticeably less original.

BFGoodrich is available in the 590-13 size. In a specialty vintage size like this, the more useful comparison is often construction style, sidewall treatment, and whether the tire’s dimensions and load rating match the vehicle’s needs.

Brand choice still matters, but a restoration buyer should also think about consistency across the full set. Matching sidewall appearance, equal overall height, and the same construction type at all four corners usually matter more on a classic car than mixing tires that happen to share the same basic size code.

A quality 590-13 tire should match the intended use of the car first: correct 13-inch wheel fit, proper width for the rim, suitable load capacity, and construction that fits the vehicle’s era and driving expectations. In this size, accuracy of proportions is especially important because small dimensional changes are easy to see on a compact classic car.

Restoration-minded buyers also tend to care about sidewall presentation, ride character, and whether the tire preserves the narrow, upright look associated with older passenger cars. Even if two tires share the same size marking, differences in casing shape, wheel-width tolerance, or visual profile can change how authentic the finished car looks and feels.

It can be, especially on a restoration where factory-era appearance matters as much as the size itself. The available 590-13 product uses a wide whitewall, and that sidewall treatment can have a major effect on whether the finished wheel-and-tire package looks correct for a mid-century passenger car.

Sidewall styling should be chosen with the same care as the size code. Whitewall width, wheel design, hubcap coverage, and overall vehicle era all influence whether the car looks authentic or visually out of period. Buyers focused on originality should compare sidewall appearance to period photos and trim-level details rather than choosing by size alone.

The 590-13 should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, air loss, and uneven wear, even if the tread still looks usable. Bias-ply tires on collector vehicles can age from time, heat, sunlight, ozone exposure, and long periods of limited use, not just from mileage.

Routine inspection matters most before longer drives or after a car has been sitting. Owners should also look at the wheel, valve area, and sidewall condition closely, since small vintage tires can spend years on lightly used cars. Age-related deterioration can make an old tire questionable long before the tread depth suggests replacement.

The 590-13 should be stored away from direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors, battery chargers, and furnaces. Clean, dry, stable temperatures help preserve the casing, and long-term storage conditions matter just as much as tread wear on a collector vehicle.

If the car sits for long stretches, owners should inspect the tires before returning it to service and watch for flat spotting or sidewall aging. Moving the vehicle periodically and keeping the complete wheel-and-tire assembly in good condition can help, but time still affects the rubber. Low mileage does not stop a vintage tire from aging out.

The 590-13 is commonly a tube-type fitment, but tube use should still be confirmed from the actual tire, the wheel being used, and the manufacturer’s guidance. Tube decisions are made at the complete wheel-and-tire-system level, not by the size code alone.

Vintage wheels vary in bead design, condition, and intended service, so a buyer should not assume every 13-inch wheel will be treated the same way. When mounting a collector tire, inspect the wheel carefully for corrosion, damage, and valve issues, and use professional guidance if there is any uncertainty about whether a tube is appropriate.

The 590-13 should be replaced when it shows cracking, bulges, persistent air loss, impact damage, severe uneven wear, or age-related deterioration, even if there is still visible tread. Vintage tires can become questionable from time and storage conditions well before they look worn out in the usual modern sense.

A careful pre-drive inspection is especially important on collector cars that spend long periods parked. Before highway or interstate use, buyers should check overall condition, wheel integrity, and whether all four tires are of matching size and construction. When there is any doubt about structural condition, replacement is the safer course.

In this size, the available product is rated at 970 pounds at 32 psi. That figure applies to one tire, so the correct question is whether the complete set matches the vehicle’s actual weight distribution and intended use.

Load verification is important on small classic passenger cars because luggage, passengers, and accessories can change the real operating load from what a buyer expects. Owners should compare the tire’s marked capacity with the vehicle’s requirements and avoid assuming that any tire carrying the 590-13 code will automatically be suitable for every car that once used the size.

The most important checks are tire condition, wheel compatibility, load capacity, and whether the assembly is set up correctly for tube use when needed. A 590-13 mounts only on a 13-inch wheel, and in this size the working wheel-width range is 3.50 to 4.00 inches.

Before regular road use, buyers should inspect the sidewalls and tread, confirm the wheel is sound, and review current markings on the actual tire being installed. Local equipment requirements can vary, so legality and inspection expectations should be verified where the vehicle is registered rather than assumed from the size code alone.