The 1978 Audi Fox came from the era when compact European sedans and wagons earned buyers through light weight, efficiency, and crisp road manners rather than excess. In U.S. market form, the Fox carried Audi’s practical front-drive character into a simple, usable package that still attracts owners who appreciate understated German engineering. Tire fitment centers on two 13-inch radial sizes, 155R13 and 175/70R13, so the main question is confirming which setup is on the car rather than choosing between bias-ply and radial construction. Available options range from traditional Euro-style blackwall radials to a more performance-oriented modern metric radial, making wheel setup, appearance, and intended use the real priorities.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1978 Audi Fox
The 1978 Audi Fox uses two primary tire sizes, both in radial construction and both built for 13-inch wheels. Because the Base & Wagon configuration can be associated with either 155R13 or 175/70R13, the first step is confirming the exact wheel and tire setup already on the car before choosing among available brands, tire series, and overall tire character.
A 155R13 is a Euro-metric radial size with a 155-millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. In this format, the aspect ratio is not stated in the size itself, and it is commonly treated as a traditional Euro-style radial fitment. For the 1978 Audi Fox, this size is available in blackwall form from Michelin and Dunlop, including Michelin XAS-FF and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet series options. This size makes sense for owners who want a narrower, period-style radial presentation and who are keeping the car close to its established wheel setup.
A 175/70R13 is a metric radial size that spells out more of the tire’s dimensions, including a 175-millimeter section width, a 70-series profile, and a 13-inch rim diameter. It is a modern radial format and gives the 1978 Audi Fox an alternative to the narrower Euro-metric size used on some cars. In this fitment, the available product is Avon’s CR6ZZ blackwall radial, which brings a distinct series choice compared with the 155R13 options. This size deserves a close look when the car already wears the wider setup or when wheel width and current clearance support it.
Fitment is fairly straightforward because the covered 1978 Audi Fox Base & Wagon sub-model shares the same two radial size pathways. Checking the exact sub-model still matters, but the more important step here is confirming which 13-inch wheel and tire combination is actually on the car.
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1978 Audi Fox Base & Wagon
The 1978 Audi Fox Base & Wagon can use either 155R13 or 175/70R13, both in radial construction on 13-inch rims. That means tire selection starts with verifying the existing wheel and tire setup, then choosing the product character that best matches a period-style look or a more modern metric radial presentation.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1978 Audi Fox Tires for Sale
Available 1978 Audi Fox tire choices stay focused on radial blackwall designs, with Michelin and Dunlop options in 155R13 and an Avon CR6ZZ option in 175/70R13. The main comparisons are size format, tire series, and compatible rim-width range.
Common 1978 Audi Fox tire questions usually come down to confirming whether the car uses 155R13 or 175/70R13, understanding the 13-inch rim requirement, and choosing among available radial blackwall options with the right appearance and wheel compatibility.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1978 Audi Fox?
The 1978 Audi Fox uses two primary tire sizes: 155R13 and 175/70R13. Both are radial tire fitments built for 13-inch wheels, and both are associated with the 1978 Audi Fox Base & Wagon configuration.
That means the real fitment question is not bias-ply versus radial, but which of those two radial sizes matches the car’s current wheel and tire setup. Checking the size already on the sidewall, along with wheel width and general clearance, helps prevent choosing a tire that differs from the setup the car is actually using.
What size rim does a 1978 Audi Fox use?
The primary tire fitments for the 1978 Audi Fox are both built around a 13-inch rim diameter. That applies to both 155R13 and 175/70R13, so the wheel diameter stays consistent even though the tire size format changes.
Rim diameter is only one part of the check, though. A 13-inch wheel still needs suitable width for the tire being considered, especially when comparing the narrower 155R13 with the wider 175/70R13. Looking at the actual wheel on the car is the best way to confirm that the intended tire matches the existing setup.
Does the 1978 Audi Fox Base & Wagon use the same tire size?
The 1978 Audi Fox Base & Wagon is associated with the same two tire sizes used on this model range: 155R13 and 175/70R13. Both are radial tires for 13-inch rims, so the sub-model itself does not create a separate bias-ply or alternate-diameter fitment path.
That still leaves an important practical step before ordering tires. Since the same sub-model can appear with either size, it is worth confirming what is mounted on the car now and whether the wheels are still original-type dimensions. That check is especially useful on older imported cars that may have seen wheel changes over time.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 155R13 tire for a 1978 Audi Fox?
Choosing a 155R13 for a 1978 Audi Fox starts with making sure the car is actually using that narrower Euro-metric radial size on a 13-inch wheel. In this fitment, available choices include Michelin and Dunlop blackwall radials, so brand and tire series become part of the decision once size is confirmed.
Beyond size, look at the wheel width the tire is intended to work with and think about the kind of car you want to present. A traditional Euro-style blackwall radial often suits a more period-minded look, while tire series details may matter to owners paying close attention to driving feel, appearance, and overall character.
What brands offer tires for the 1978 Audi Fox?
Tire options for the 1978 Audi Fox include Michelin, Dunlop, and Avon. Michelin and Dunlop appear in the 155R13 fitment, while Avon is available in 175/70R13, giving the car coverage across both of its primary radial sizes.
Brand choice should come after confirming the tire size that belongs on the car’s present wheel setup. Once that is settled, compare the available tire series, sidewall appearance, and wheel-width compatibility rather than treating every brand option as interchangeable. The best comparison is always within the correct size first, then within the tire style you want.
What tire series are available for the 1978 Audi Fox?
The 1978 Audi Fox has several distinct tire series available across its two primary sizes. In 155R13, choices include Michelin XAS-FF and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, while 175/70R13 is represented by the Avon CR6ZZ series.
Those series differences matter because they help separate a more traditional Euro-style radial option from a more modern metric radial choice. Once the correct size is confirmed, the series can guide the final selection based on the car’s intended use, the look you want in the wheel opening, and the wheel-width range the tire expects.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1978 Audi Fox?
A period-style 1978 Audi Fox usually starts with staying in the correct 13-inch radial fitment and matching the size the car is actually using, whether that is 155R13 or 175/70R13. Among those, the narrower 155R13 often aligns more closely with the traditional Euro-metric look many owners expect on a late-1970s German compact.
Appearance should still be balanced against the car’s real wheel setup and intended use. A restoration-oriented owner may favor a blackwall radial with a more classic presentation, while another owner may prefer the wider modern metric look already on the car. When exact originality matters, marque-specific historical references remain the safest guide.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1978 Audi Fox?
For a 1978 Audi Fox, construction choice is simpler than on many older collector cars because the primary fitments are radial rather than bias-ply. That means the appearance decision is shaped less by construction type and more by whether the car wears the narrower 155R13 Euro-metric size or the wider 175/70R13 metric radial size.
Sidewall treatment also plays a role, and the available products stay within a blackwall presentation that suits the Fox’s restrained late-1970s character. On a restored car, the tire’s proportions in the wheel opening often matter as much as brand name, so confirming the existing wheel setup helps preserve the visual balance of the car.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1978 Audi Fox?
Yes. Even though the 1978 Audi Fox uses 13-inch radial tire sizes, modifications can still change what works safely and cleanly on the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body and fender work can all affect how a 155R13 or 175/70R13 tire sits and clears.
That is why a modified Fox should be checked as an actual vehicle rather than by model year alone. Wheel diameter, wheel width, and available clearance at full steering lock are especially important. Looking closely at what is on the car now helps avoid choosing a tire that matches the cataloged size but not the current setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1978 Audi Fox on new tires?
Before driving a 1978 Audi Fox on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the wheel diameter and width, and make sure the tire size matches the setup on the car. It is also smart to check valve stems, lug hardware, and basic clearance around the fenders and suspension.
A short early test drive should include attention to air pressure retention, steering feel, and any signs of rubbing or uneven behavior. Older cars that have spent time parked deserve an extra look at wheel bearings, suspension wear, and alignment condition, since new tires can quickly reveal issues that an aged set may have been masking.
How should 155R13 or 175/70R13 tires on a collector 1978 Audi Fox be maintained?
Collector-car tire maintenance on a 1978 Audi Fox starts with regular air-pressure checks, visual inspection of the tread and sidewalls, and watching for cracking, bulges, cuts, or repeated air loss. That applies whether the car is using 155R13 or 175/70R13 radials, because age and storage conditions matter as much as mileage.
A Fox that sees occasional use benefits from periodic inspection even when the tires still look presentable at a glance. Storage away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, and a quick check before each drive is worthwhile on a low-use car that may sit for extended periods.
