695-14 Tire Size Guide

The 695-14 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. In this code, 6.95 refers to the nominal section width in inches, and 14 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. It is a traditional inch-based sizing format used on older passenger cars rather than a modern metric code with multiple built-in measurements.

Modern P-metric sizes usually include width in millimeters, an aspect ratio, construction type, and wheel diameter all in one string. The 695-14 does not spell out the sidewall profile that way, so buyers need to rely more heavily on actual product dimensions, wheel-width compatibility, and the vehicle's original specifications when comparing it with a later radial substitute.

The 695-14 fits a 14.0-inch wheel, which is 355.6 millimeters in diameter. That wheel diameter must match exactly because tire beads are engineered for one bead-seat diameter only, regardless of whether another wheel looks close at a glance.

Wheel width matters alongside wheel diameter. In this size, the supported wheel-width range runs from 5.00 to 6.00 inches, so buyers should confirm both dimensions before installation. A correct 14-inch diameter on a wheel that is too narrow or too wide can still alter the tire's shape, affect clearance, and change the way the car steers and tracks on the road.

The 695-14 has a nominal section width of 6.95 inches, which converts to about 176.5 millimeters. Section width measures the tire at its widest inflated point from sidewall to sidewall, not across the tread face where the rubber actually contacts the road.

Clearance checks should focus on section width because that is the dimension most likely to interact with fender lips, suspension parts, and steering components. Tread width is usually narrower, so it can be misleading if you are judging space visually. On a classic car with original wheel wells or replacement wheels, that sidewall-to-sidewall measurement is the one that most directly affects fitment.

Yes, 695-14 and 6.95-14 refer to the same basic tire size. The difference is simply how the width portion is written, with one format dropping the decimal point and the other showing it. The same idea applies to aliases such as 695X14 and 6.95X14, which are alternate notations buyers may still encounter.

Older tire literature, sidewall markings, and reproduction catalogs do not always use one perfectly uniform format, so recognizing those variations helps avoid confusion when matching a replacement. Buyers should still compare the full size code, wheel diameter, construction type, and dimensions rather than assuming every similar-looking number string represents the exact same fitment or driving character.

The 695-14 is commonly a tube-type fitment and is often set up with a tube. Even so, tube use is ultimately a wheel-and-tire-system question rather than a size question, so it should be confirmed against the actual tire and wheel being used.

Older wheels, especially original restoration wheels, may have bead and rim details that influence whether a tube is appropriate. A buyer replacing tires on a collector car should inspect the wheel condition, look closely at current tire markings, and confirm manufacturer guidance before assembly. Treating tube use as part of the complete wheel package helps avoid assumptions based on size code alone.

The 695-14 weighs between 18 and 21 pounds depending on the specific tire. Most versions cluster around 20 pounds, but construction details and sidewall treatment can shift the final shipping weight slightly from one tire to another.

Tire weight matters because it contributes to unsprung weight, which can influence ride response and steering feel on a light classic car. It is not usually the first fitment number a buyer checks, but it can help explain small differences in the way one design feels compared with another when all are built in the same basic 695-14 size.

The 695-14 was used on a wide range of classic passenger cars, especially compact and intermediate models from 1965 through 1980. Applications in this size include vehicles from Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, Plymouth, American Motors, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Mercury, and Rambler.

That broad spread means the size belongs to a real historical fitment range, but it does not make every car from those makes a match. Original equipment could vary by trim, engine, suspension, and wheel package. Buyers should treat the vehicle list as a starting point, then confirm the original tire size, wheel width, and available clearance on the actual vehicle before choosing a replacement.

The 695-14 fits wheels from 5.00 to 6.00 inches wide. Staying within that range helps the tire hold the profile it was designed to have, which is especially important on bias-ply tires where sidewall shape and footprint are part of both appearance and road feel.

A wheel below that range can pinch the tire inward and exaggerate sidewall bulge, while a wheel above it can flatten the profile and alter the way the tire sits in the wheel opening. On a restoration or survivor car, that can affect both clearance and visual stance. Measure the actual wheel rather than relying on assumptions about what the car may have left the factory with.

The 695-14 is well suited to period-style restorations when the vehicle originally used this size or a closely related numeric bias-ply fitment. Bias-ply construction is often the more authentic choice for antique and classic cars where the goal is to preserve original appearance, proportions, and driving character.

Restoration accuracy still depends on more than the size code alone. Buyers should compare original documentation, wheel width, and the car's intended presentation, especially if the vehicle will be judged on authenticity. Sidewall treatment can also matter on a factory-style build, so it helps to match the tire's visual style to the trim level and era the vehicle is meant to represent.

The 695-14 delivers the ride and steering character buyers typically expect from a bias-ply tire. Compared with a later radial, a bias-ply design usually has a different sidewall flex pattern and a more period-authentic road feel, which suits older suspension designs and factory-style restorations.

Driving behavior depends on more than construction alone. Suspension condition, alignment settings, wheel width, tire age, and inflation all influence how the car tracks and responds. On a well-sorted classic, the 695-14 can preserve the look and feel the car was built around, but buyers moving from radial tires should expect a distinct difference in steering response and general road manners.

Switching from the 695-14 to radial comparison sizes such as 175R14, P185/75R14, or P195/70R14 can change more than construction. The tire's overall height, section width, and sidewall proportion may shift, which can affect wheel-opening fill, stance, and the way the car responds to steering inputs.

A substitution should be treated as a fitment study rather than a simple size swap. Compare the new tire's diameter, width, wheel compatibility, and load capacity before installation. On a classic passenger car, even a modest change can alter clearance at full steering lock or change the visual balance of the car, especially when original small-diameter wheels and tall sidewalls are part of the design.

The 695-14 can be used on public roads when the tire, wheel, and vehicle are all in proper condition, but buyers should approach highway use with the expectations appropriate to a vintage bias-ply design. It is not a modern touring radial, and its road feel and behavior reflect the era and vehicles it was built around.

Before longer trips, inspect the tires for age cracking, air loss, bulges, and uneven wear, and make sure the vehicle's suspension and alignment are in good order. Classic cars running this size should also be matched to the tire's actual load capability and wheel setup. Conservative speed, careful maintenance, and realistic expectations are part of using an older-style size on present-day roads.

The 695-14 is available from BFGoodrich, Goodyear, and US Royal. All three appear in bias-ply offerings, which gives buyers a meaningful range of period-style choices within the same size rather than forcing a move to a completely different sizing system.

Brand selection should start with the vehicle's goal. A factory-style restoration, a driver with vintage character, and a more appearance-focused build may each point to a different choice even when the size stays the same. Compare construction consistency, sidewall appearance, wheel-width compatibility, and whether you want the tire to emphasize authenticity, historical style, or a specific visual theme.

A quality 695-14 tire should match the vehicle's intended use, maintain accurate sizing for proper stance, and fit the wheel correctly. Because this is a vintage bias-ply size, buyers should pay close attention to construction consistency, load capacity, and whether the tire preserves the proportions and character expected on a classic passenger car.

Set matching matters as much as individual tire choice. Using four tires with the same construction type, similar dimensions, and a coordinated sidewall style helps maintain even appearance and more predictable behavior. On an older car, a tire that looks right but does not suit the wheel width or load requirements can create avoidable fitment and drivability issues.

Yes, sidewall style can be a major part of choosing the 695-14 because this size appears in blackwall, narrow whitewall, dual redline, raised white letter, and raised white letter with blue streak forms. Those visual differences can change the car's personality even when the basic size and construction stay the same.

A restoration-minded buyer may want a sidewall that matches factory trim practice, while a hot street build may lean toward a more aggressive period performance look. Sidewall styling does not replace fitment checks, but it strongly affects authenticity and presentation. It is worth choosing the appearance with the same care you give to wheel width, construction type, and overall proportion.

The 695-14 should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, tread separation signs, uneven wear, and slow air loss. Bias-ply tires on older cars can also reveal suspension or alignment issues through wear patterns, so visual checks should include both the tire surface and the way the tire is sitting on the car.

Routine inspection matters even on low-mileage collector vehicles. Time, heat, sunlight, ozone exposure, and long periods of inactivity can age a tire regardless of tread depth. Checking the sidewalls, valve area, and tread base before drives helps catch problems early and is especially worthwhile before tours, club events, or any trip that will put the car farther from home.

The 695-14 benefits from clean, dry storage away from sunlight, electric motors, heaters, and other ozone sources when a collector car is parked for extended periods. Keeping the vehicle in a stable environment helps slow the kind of age-related deterioration that can affect vintage-style tires even when tread wear is minimal.

Periodic movement and regular air-pressure checks are helpful because long stationary periods can encourage flat spotting and hide slow pressure loss. If the car is stored seasonally, inspect the tires carefully before returning it to road use. Storage habits are part of preserving both the appearance and the serviceability of a bias-ply tire on an older restoration or hobby vehicle.

The 695-14 is commonly a tube-type fitment, but tube use should still be confirmed from the actual wheel and tire combination rather than assumed from the size alone. Wheel construction, rim condition, and the specific tire being mounted all influence whether a tube is appropriate.

When there is any doubt, have the wheel inspected and review the tire's own markings before assembly. Original steel wheels on older cars may differ from later replacements in ways that matter to sealing and service setup. Treating the wheel, tire, and tube choice as one system helps avoid leakage, mounting problems, and restoration shortcuts that can create issues later.

The 695-14 should be replaced when age, cracking, bulges, repeated air loss, impact damage, or other condition issues appear, even if remaining tread depth still looks usable. On older-style tires, visible wear is only one part of the service picture, especially when the car spends long periods parked between drives.

Collector vehicles often accumulate less mileage than modern daily drivers, but time still affects rubber and internal structure. Buyers should inspect tires closely before road trips and after storage periods rather than judging condition by tread alone. If the tire's age or physical state raises any question, a qualified tire professional should evaluate it before continued use.

The 695-14 products in this size are rated at 1,230 pounds at 32 psi per tire. That figure should be matched against the vehicle's actual operating weight and intended use, especially if the car carries passengers, luggage, or accessories that increase the load beyond a lightly equipped base configuration.

Load capacity should be reviewed as part of the full wheel-and-tire system, not as an isolated number. A classic passenger car may have multiple original tire options depending on trim or drivetrain, so it is wise to compare the vehicle's requirements with the tire's marked rating before installation. Keeping the correct load match is fundamental to responsible use.

Before driving on the 695-14, buyers should confirm correct wheel diameter, wheel width, tire condition, air retention, and load suitability. On this size, the wheel should be 14 inches in diameter and fall within the 5.00 to 6.00 inch width range, with the tire in sound condition and free of visible damage.

Modern traffic places steady demands on old cars and old-style tire designs, so pre-drive checks are important. Inspect for cracks, bulges, uneven wear, and signs of rubbing, then make sure the vehicle's suspension and steering are functioning properly. If the car uses original or older wheels, tube choice and wheel condition deserve extra attention before any sustained road use.