The 1978 Renault Renault sits squarely in the era when European small cars blended efficiency, nimble road manners, and distinctive styling with very different tire philosophies depending on the model. Tire fitment here is not one-size-fits-all: this vehicle uses 165R13 and 145R13 radial sizes as well as a 600-13 bias-ply fitment, all on 13-inch wheels. That makes the first decision identifying the exact sub-model, then choosing between period-style bias-ply presentation or the available radial formats where they apply. Buyers restoring for appearance or preparing a driver for regular road use should confirm the wheel setup carefully before settling on a tire size and construction.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1978 Renault Renault
Three primary tire sizes apply to the 1978 Renault Renault, and the correct one depends on the specific sub-model rather than wheel diameter, since all three sizes use a 13-inch rim. Two of the fitments are radial and one is bias-ply, so the real first step is confirming whether the car is a Renault 17 Gordini or a Renault 5 Le Car before comparing tire style, construction, and product choices.
165R13 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 165 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1978 Renault Renault, this size serves as a primary radial fitment for the Renault 17 Gordini and suits buyers who want to stay with a traditional metric radial format. Available choices include Michelin and Dunlop options in blackwall styling, with series such as Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet. It is the right size to evaluate when the car already runs the radial 13-inch setup tied to that sub-model.
600-13 is a numeric bias-ply size in which the 600 designates an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and 13 identifies the rim diameter. For the 1978 Renault Renault, this is the bias-ply fitment associated with the Renault 17 Gordini and it gives the car a more traditional period-style construction choice. BFGoodrich offers this size in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series with both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall sidewall treatments. This size is the one to consider when preserving a vintage look matters as much as the basic fitment itself.
145R13 is a Euro-metric radial size with a nominal 145-millimeter section width, radial construction, and a 13-inch wheel diameter. On the 1978 Renault Renault, this size applies to the Renault 5 Le Car, making it distinct from the larger 17 Gordini fitments even though the rim diameter stays the same. Product choices include blackwall radial offerings from Michelin and Firestone, including Michelin XAS-FF and Firestone F560 Radial series. Buyers should focus on this size only when the car is the Le Car configuration, then compare product details such as rim-width compatibility and tire series character.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1978 Renault Renault because the covered configurations do not all use the same tire size or construction. The Renault 17 Gordini can involve either a radial or bias-ply 13-inch fitment, while the Renault 5 Le Car uses its own radial size, so identifying the exact model comes before comparing tires.
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1978 Renault Renault 17 Gordini
The 1978 Renault Renault 17 Gordini uses 13-inch tire fitments that include both 165R13 radial and 600-13 bias-ply options. That makes tire selection less about wheel diameter and more about deciding whether the car should retain a traditional bias-ply presentation or stay with the radial setup already associated with this model.
The 1978 Renault Renault 5 Le Car uses a 145R13 radial tire on a 13-inch rim. Tire selection here is more straightforward, with the main comparison centered on available blackwall radial products, wheel compatibility, and the condition of any original or replacement 13-inch wheels.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1978 Renault Renault
For the original 600-13 fitment, three radial-equivalent options are available. 165R13 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, P165/75R13 is the P-metric 75-series radial equivalent, and P175/70R13 is the P-metric 70-series radial equivalent. These choices move from a classic Euro-metric radial format to later P-metric profiles. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches applies, and any conversion should still be checked against the wheel, overall dimensions, and vehicle clearance.
Modern Radial Equivalents
165R13
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (600-13)
P165/75R13
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (600-13)
P175/70R13
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (600-13)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (4-5 in) and load needs match your vehicle specifications.
Check fender clearance, steering clearance, and stance before installation.
Consider suspension condition and intended road use when choosing equivalents.
Important Fitment Notes
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 Renault Renault Tires for sale
Available 13-inch tire choices span Michelin, Dunlop, Firestone, and BFGoodrich, with radial and bias-ply constructions represented. Buyers can compare blackwall radial series for the 145R13 and 165R13 fitments, or choose narrow whitewall and wide whitewall BFGoodrich bias-ply options in 600-13.
These FAQs focus on the tire-size split between Renault sub-models, the difference between 13-inch radial and bias-ply fitments, available radial equivalents for 600-13, and the checks that matter before putting a 1978 Renault Renault back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1978 Renault Renault?
The 1978 Renault Renault uses three primary tire sizes across its covered sub-models: 165R13, 600-13, and 145R13. The Renault 17 Gordini uses 165R13 radial or 600-13 bias-ply, while the Renault 5 Le Car uses 145R13 radial.
That means the first step is identifying the exact sub-model before choosing a tire. All three sizes mount on 13-inch wheels, but they are not interchangeable simply because the rim diameter matches. Construction type, section width, wheel width, and the car's present wheel setup should all be confirmed before selecting a replacement.
What size rim does a 1978 Renault Renault use?
The covered tire fitments for a 1978 Renault Renault all use a 13-inch rim diameter. That applies to the 165R13 radial, 600-13 bias-ply, and 145R13 radial sizes associated with the listed sub-models.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, so a 13-inch wheel alone does not settle the decision. Width still matters, especially if the car has replacement wheels or a tire conversion from bias-ply to radial. Checking the actual wheel on the car helps narrow the correct tire size before comparing brands or sidewall styles.
Do all 1978 Renault Renault sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1978 Renault Renault 17 Gordini uses either 165R13 radial or 600-13 bias-ply, while the 1978 Renault Renault 5 Le Car uses 145R13 radial. Fitment changes by sub-model even though all of the covered sizes share a 13-inch rim diameter.
That difference is important because a buyer can easily assume that any 13-inch tire will be appropriate. The actual size and construction need to match the specific car. Once the sub-model is confirmed, the next step is comparing the wheel width, present tire type, and the owner's goal for road use or period-style appearance.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 600-13 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1978 Renault Renault?
On the 1978 Renault Renault, 600-13 is a bias-ply tire size. It is one of the fitments associated with the Renault 17 Gordini and differs from the radial 165R13 and 145R13 sizes used elsewhere in this model range.
That distinction matters because bias-ply and radial tires differ in construction as well as appearance. A buyer choosing 600-13 is usually deciding whether to keep the traditional bias-ply setup or evaluate a radial equivalent instead. Wheel width, current wheel type, and the intended use of the car should all be reviewed before making that construction change.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 600-13?
Radial equivalents for 600-13 include 165R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P165/75R13 as a P-metric 75-series radial, and P175/70R13 as a P-metric 70-series radial. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches is tied to those equivalent options.
Those sizes give different radial-format alternatives without turning them into automatic replacements. The buyer still needs to compare the actual wheel width on the car and check the tire's dimensions against fender, suspension, and steering clearance. That is especially important on a Renault 17 Gordini that may already be running either a radial or bias-ply setup.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1978 Renault Renault?
The answer depends on the exact sub-model and what setup the car is meant to keep. A Renault 17 Gordini can be approached with either its 600-13 bias-ply fitment or its 165R13 radial fitment, while the Renault 5 Le Car uses 145R13 radial.
Bias-ply usually appeals to owners preserving a more traditional look, while radial construction is often the path when staying with the metric radial sizes already tied to the car. The decision should be made after confirming wheel dimensions, present clearance, and whether the goal is restoration-oriented appearance or regular road use with the existing wheel setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165R13 tire for a 1978 Renault Renault?
A 165R13 choice for a 1978 Renault Renault starts with confirming that the car is the Renault 17 Gordini using the radial fitment. Once that is established, the main variables are brand, tire series, blackwall presentation, and wheel compatibility within the 13-inch radial setup.
Michelin and Dunlop options give this size some meaningful variety, including XAS, XAS-FF, and SP Sport Aquajet series. Comparing those products makes more sense after the actual wheel width and intended use are clear. A road-driven car, a restoration-focused car, and a lightly used collector car may all approach the same size with different priorities.
What sidewall styles are available for 1978 Renault Renault tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size. The radial 165R13 and 145R13 options are offered as blackwall tires, while the 600-13 bias-ply fitment is available in wide whitewall and narrow whitewall versions.
That gives the 1978 Renault Renault two very different appearance directions depending on the sub-model and tire construction. A buyer working with a Renault 17 Gordini can lean toward a traditional whitewall bias-ply presentation or a blackwall radial look, while the Renault 5 Le Car remains centered on blackwall radial choices in its 145R13 size.
What brands offer tires for the 1978 Renault Renault?
Tires for the 1978 Renault Renault are available from Michelin, Dunlop, Firestone, and BFGoodrich. Michelin and Dunlop appear in the radial 165R13 fitment, Michelin and Firestone appear in the 145R13 radial fitment, and BFGoodrich covers the 600-13 bias-ply size.
Brand comparison only becomes useful after the correct size is pinned down for the exact sub-model. Once that is settled, the buyer can look at series differences, sidewall styling, construction type, and wheel-width compatibility where stated. The right brand choice is tied to the correct fitment first, not brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1978 Renault Renault?
A period-style choice begins with the sub-model. The Renault 17 Gordini has both a 600-13 bias-ply fitment and a 165R13 radial fitment, while the Renault 5 Le Car uses 145R13 radial. That means the right period-style approach depends on whether the car is being preserved with its bias-ply presentation or its metric radial look.
For a restoration-oriented result, tire construction and sidewall treatment matter as much as size. The 600-13 bias-ply options provide a more traditional visual character, while the radial sizes maintain a later European small-car presentation. Buyers pursuing exact originality should also compare their car against marque-specific references before settling on a final brand or sidewall style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1978 Renault Renault?
Tire construction changes the look of a restored 1978 Renault Renault in a visible way. The 600-13 bias-ply fitment on the Renault 17 Gordini supports a more traditional vintage presentation, while the 165R13 and 145R13 radial sizes give the car a more contemporary European radial appearance for the period.
Appearance is not just about blackwall versus whitewall, although that matters too. The available 600-13 bias-ply products come in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions, while the radial options are blackwall. Matching the construction to the vehicle's restoration direction helps the finished car look intentional rather than mixing tire styles from very different visual eras.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1978 Renault Renault?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1978 Renault Renault even when the tire still carries the correct 13-inch rim diameter. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, or body clearance differences can all change how a 145R13, 165R13, or 600-13 tire sits on the car.
That is especially important on a car with multiple size paths across sub-models and both radial and bias-ply fitments. A buyer should inspect the actual wheel and tire setup already on the vehicle before ordering replacements. Clearance at full steering lock and under suspension movement deserves attention whenever the car no longer wears its original wheel configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1978 Renault Renault on new tires?
Before driving a 1978 Renault Renault on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the lug hardware is appropriate, and make sure the tires match the car's actual sub-model fitment. It also helps to check suspension wear, steering condition, and any visible clearance concerns around the fenders and inner wheel wells.
A short, careful road test is the right next step after installation. Tire pressure should be set correctly for the chosen tires, and the car should be watched for rubbing, pulling, vibration, or unusual noise. On a lightly used collector car, this is also a good time to inspect brakes, wheel bearings, and any long-neglected rubber components nearby.
How should tires on a collector 1978 Renault Renault be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1978 Renault Renault should be inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and air loss even if the car sees very little mileage. Low annual use does not stop aging, and both radial and bias-ply tires can deteriorate with time, storage heat, sunlight, and long periods of sitting.
Proper maintenance also means keeping inflation checked, moving the car occasionally when practical, and storing it away from moisture and ozone sources. A collector car that alternates between storage and road use deserves extra attention before longer drives. Looking over tread, sidewalls, and the wheel itself can prevent avoidable problems once the car is back in motion.
