The 1978 Honda Civic came from the first generation of Honda’s fuel-conscious small cars, a time when compact imports were winning buyers with light weight, tidy dimensions, and simple everyday usability. That matters when choosing tires, because this Civic can wear more than one size depending on the exact sub-model and whether it uses a radial or bias-ply fitment. Covered sizes include 155R12, 6.00-12, 155R13, and 6.15-13 across 12-inch and 13-inch wheels. For a buyer, the key step is confirming the correct sub-model and wheel diameter first, then deciding whether the goal is a traditional bias-ply presentation or the driving character of a radial.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1978 Honda Civic
The 1978 Honda Civic uses four primary tire sizes, and the right choice depends on the exact sub-model as well as whether the car is fitted with 12-inch or 13-inch wheels. Some versions use radial sizes while others may use bias-ply alternatives in the same wheel diameter, so confirming the specific Civic body style and actual wheel size is the first step before comparing tire options.
Fit(s): 1200 Sedan, CVCC 5 Speed Sedan, and CVCC Sedan
Construction: Radial|Rim: 12 in
A 155R12 size is a Euro-metric radial with a 155 millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and a 12-inch rim diameter. On the 1978 Honda Civic, this size serves compact sedan applications that use a 12-inch wheel and a radial tire setup. The sizing format is familiar to buyers looking for a more modern radial-style fitment rather than an older numeric bias-ply size. This is the size to evaluate when the car retains its original wheel diameter and the goal is radial construction with dimensions suited to the 12-inch Civic wheel package.
The 6.00-12 size is a numeric bias-ply designation, where the leading number refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches and the final number identifies a 12-inch rim. On the 1978 Honda Civic, it represents a traditional bias-ply fitment for certain sedan applications using the same wheel diameter as the 155R12 radial. Its appeal is less about modern sizing convention and more about preserving a period-style look and construction type. This size deserves attention when appearance, restoration character, or retention of an original-style bias-ply setup is part of the decision.
A 155R13 tire is a Euro-metric radial with a 155 millimeter nominal section width and a 13-inch rim diameter. For the 1978 Honda Civic, this size applies to wagon fitment and places the buyer in a true radial category rather than a bias-ply substitute. Available choices include Michelin and Dunlop products in blackwall form, with tire series such as Michelin XAS-FF and SP Sport Aquajet. This size is the right starting point when the Civic is a wagon on 13-inch wheels and the buyer wants to compare brand and series differences within the correct radial format.
The 6.15-13 size is a numeric bias-ply tire, with the first number indicating nominal section width in inches and the last number identifying a 13-inch wheel. On the 1978 Honda Civic, this size appears alongside 155R13 as a wagon-related 13-inch fitment, but in traditional bias-ply construction instead of radial. That makes it meaningful for buyers who want a more vintage tire presentation on the correct wheel diameter. It should be evaluated carefully against the wagon’s actual wheel setup and the owner’s priorities for road use, appearance, and construction type.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1978 Honda Civic because tire size changes with both body style and wheel diameter. Sedans in this group use 12-inch tire sizes, while the CVCC Wagon moves to 13-inch fitment, so identifying the exact sub-model is the first step before choosing construction or tire style.
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1978 Honda Civic 1200 Sedan
The 1978 Honda Civic 1200 Sedan uses 12-inch fitment and can be matched with either the 155R12 radial size or the 6.00-12 bias-ply size. That gives the buyer a clear choice between a radial setup and a more traditional bias-ply presentation while staying within the correct wheel diameter.
The 1978 Honda Civic CVCC 5 Speed Sedan uses the 155R12 radial size on a 12-inch wheel. Tire selection here is more straightforward, with the focus shifting from size choice to confirming wheel condition and choosing a radial tire that suits the car’s intended use.
The 1978 Honda Civic CVCC Sedan shares the 12-inch sedan fitment and can use either 155R12 in radial construction or 6.00-12 in bias-ply form. That means the decision is less about wheel diameter and more about whether the car is being kept in a period-style bias-ply format or moved toward radial construction.
The 1978 Honda Civic CVCC Wagon uses 13-inch fitment, with 155R13 in radial form and 6.15-13 in bias-ply form tied to this sub-model. Because the wagon shifts to a different rim diameter, confirming the actual wheels on the car is especially important before comparing available tire choices.
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 Honda Civic Tires for Sale
Available product choices center on 155R13 radial fitment, with blackwall options from Michelin and Dunlop. The product grid is most useful for comparing tire series, rim-width compatibility, load-related specifications, and overall product character within the correct 13-inch radial size.
These FAQs focus on the exact tire sizes used on the 1978 Honda Civic, how fitment changes by sub-model, and what to consider when choosing between 12-inch and 13-inch wheels, radial versus bias-ply construction, and available product options.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1978 Honda Civic?
The 1978 Honda Civic uses more than one tire size. Covered fitments include 155R12 and 6.00-12 for 12-inch applications, plus 155R13 and 6.15-13 for 13-inch applications. The exact size depends on the specific Civic sub-model and whether the car is using a radial or bias-ply tire setup.
The first thing to verify is the sub-model and wheel diameter on the car. Sedan applications in this group use 12-inch sizes, while the CVCC Wagon uses 13-inch sizes. If the car has been modified over the years, checking the actual wheel before choosing a tire matters more than relying on appearance alone.
What size rim does a 1978 Honda Civic use?
A 1978 Honda Civic can use either a 12-inch or 13-inch rim, depending on the exact sub-model. The sedan fitments here use 12-inch tire sizes such as 155R12 and 6.00-12, while the CVCC Wagon uses 13-inch tire sizes such as 155R13 and 6.15-13.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before anything else because a 12-inch tire and a 13-inch tire are not interchangeable. Once the wheel diameter is known, the next step is checking whether the car is set up for radial or bias-ply construction and whether the intended tire matches the vehicle’s present wheel and use.
Do all 1978 Honda Civic sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 1978 Honda Civic does not use one universal tire size across all covered sub-models. The 1200 Sedan and CVCC Sedan use 12-inch fitments that may be radial or bias-ply, the CVCC 5 Speed Sedan uses 155R12, and the CVCC Wagon moves to 13-inch sizes.
That difference matters because the buyer has to identify the exact sub-model before comparing products or construction types. A wagon owner should not assume sedan sizing applies, and a sedan owner should not order by year and make alone. The wheel actually on the car still deserves a quick check, especially on older vehicles.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1978 Honda Civic?
Start with the exact sub-model, then confirm whether the car uses a 12-inch or 13-inch wheel and whether the intended fitment is radial or bias-ply. On this Civic, those three points determine whether the correct tire is 155R12, 6.00-12, 155R13, or 6.15-13.
Once size and construction are settled, the decision shifts to how the car will be used and how it should look. A period-style restoration may lean toward numeric bias-ply sizing, while a driver-oriented setup may focus on radial construction. Wheel condition, clearance, and any past changes to the car should be checked before final selection.
What brands offer tires for the 1978 Honda Civic?
For the 155R13 radial fitment used on the 1978 Honda Civic CVCC Wagon, available brands include Michelin and Dunlop. Those options appear in blackwall form and give the buyer a choice between established vintage radial product lines within the correct 13-inch size category.
Brand choice should come after confirming that 155R13 is the correct fitment for the car. Once that is established, it makes sense to compare tire series, rim-width compatibility, and other product details rather than selecting by brand name alone. A wagon on aftermarket wheels should have those wheels measured before any final decision.
What tire series are available for the 1978 Honda Civic?
The 155R13 radial fitment for the 1978 Honda Civic is available in the Michelin XAS-FF series and the Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet series. Both are blackwall radial options in the proper 13-inch category for Civic wagon applications using the 155R13 size.
Series selection is useful when the size is already confirmed and the buyer wants to compare the character of the available products within the same fitment. Looking at series, rim-width compatibility, and other product details helps narrow the choice without drifting into an incorrect size or construction for the vehicle.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1978 Honda Civic?
A period-style 1978 Honda Civic usually starts with the correct primary size for the exact sub-model, then considers whether radial or bias-ply construction best matches the restoration goal. Sedan applications may use 155R12 or 6.00-12, while the CVCC Wagon uses 155R13 or 6.15-13 depending on construction choice.
Numeric bias-ply sizes tend to support a more traditional visual presentation, while metric radial sizes keep the fitment within the proper family but with a different construction. Anyone aiming for strict originality should compare the car against marque references, historical photos, or restoration records before choosing a specific construction or sidewall style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1978 Honda Civic?
Tire construction changes more than driving feel on a restored 1978 Honda Civic; it also changes the visual impression of the car. A numeric bias-ply size such as 6.00-12 or 6.15-13 gives a more traditional vintage presentation, while 155R12 and 155R13 reflect a radial sizing convention used on later small cars.
That means the right appearance choice depends on the kind of restoration being pursued. A preservation-minded owner may want the look associated with bias-ply construction, while a regularly driven car may still remain visually appropriate with a radial in the proper size family. The wheel diameter and sub-model still have to match before appearance enters the decision.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1978 Honda Civic?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1978 Honda Civic even when the tire size itself is correct for the original application. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, or body work can change the clearance relationship between the tire, fender, and steering components.
A Civic that has been changed from its original setup should have the wheel diameter and width verified before a tire is chosen. Clearance during turning and full suspension movement also matters. That is especially important here because the car may use either 12-inch or 13-inch wheels depending on sub-model and prior owner changes.
What should I inspect before driving a 1978 Honda Civic on new tires?
Before driving a 1978 Honda Civic on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and sound condition, and make sure the tire size matches the car’s exact sub-model. It also helps to check valve stems, wheel hardware, visible suspension wear, and any signs that the old tires were rubbing or wearing unevenly.
A short road check after installation is worthwhile to confirm that the tires clear the body and steering range normally. Older collector cars can hide issues such as weak shocks, bent wheels, or alignment problems that a fresh set of tires will not solve. Pressure should also be monitored closely during the first miles.
How should tires on a collector 1978 Honda Civic be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1978 Honda Civic should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even a lightly used car can develop age-related issues such as sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, or tread deterioration long before the tread is actually worn out.
Good maintenance also means keeping the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, and ozone sources when possible. A Civic that sits for long periods benefits from periodic movement and routine inspection before road use. Looking over the wheel condition and watching for cuts, bulges, or uneven wear helps catch problems early.
