The 1979 Honda Accord came to market as a compact front-wheel-drive car that helped establish Honda’s reputation for efficient, well-engineered everyday transportation in the U.S. Its clean packaging and practical body styles still make it appealing to owners who value originality and light, responsive road manners. Tire fitment is straightforward, with the 1979 Honda Accord using a 165R13 radial on a 13-inch rim. Within that size, choices center on classic blackwall radial options from Michelin and Dunlop, including well-known vintage-style series. For a restoration-minded driver or a regularly used survivor, the key is selecting the right 165R13 tire for the car’s appearance, wheel fit, and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Honda Accord
The 1979 Honda Accord uses one primary tire size: 165R13, a radial tire for a 13-inch rim. That same fitment carries across the covered sedan and hatchback models, so the main decision is not which size fits, but which 165R13-style radial best matches the car’s intended look, driving use, and wheel setup.
165R13 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 165 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. In this format, the aspect ratio is not stated in the size code and is commonly associated with an 80-series profile. For the 1979 Honda Accord, this size keeps the fitment in the original radial sizing family, with blackwall choices available from Michelin and Dunlop in established vintage radial series. It is the right starting point for owners who want to keep the car on its proper 13-inch wheel diameter while choosing among authentic-looking road-use options.
Fitment is simple across the covered 1979 Honda Accord sub-models because both body styles use the same primary tire size. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm the car’s wheel setup before choosing among available 165R13 radial options.
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1979 Honda Accord 4 Dr. Sedan
The 1979 Honda Accord 4 Dr. Sedan uses the same 165R13 radial fitment as the rest of the covered model range. That keeps tire selection focused on choosing the right blackwall radial series for the sedan’s intended use, wheel width, and overall presentation.
The 1979 Honda Accord Hatchback also uses the 165R13 radial size, so there is no separate primary fitment to sort through. Tire choice comes down to selecting the radial series that suits the car’s appearance goals and confirming compatibility with the wheels actually on the vehicle.
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 1979 Honda Accord Tires for Sale
Available 165R13 options focus on blackwall radial construction from Michelin and Dunlop. The product selection includes Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet tires, with useful differences in tire series and rim-width compatibility for buyers comparing vintage-style road-use choices.
These FAQs focus on 165R13 fitment for the 1979 Honda Accord, along with 13-inch rim compatibility, available radial choices, restoration-oriented appearance, and the checks that matter before putting a vintage Accord back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Honda Accord?
The 1979 Honda Accord uses a 165R13 radial tire. That primary size applies to both the 4 Dr. Sedan and the Hatchback, so the fitment question is straightforward at the year-make-model level.
That simplicity means the real decision is choosing the right tire within the 165R13 family rather than sorting through multiple primary sizes. It is still smart to confirm that the car retains its 13-inch wheels and that the wheel width matches the tire’s requirements before selecting a specific radial series.
What size rim does a 1979 Honda Accord use?
The 1979 Honda Accord uses a 13-inch rim with its 165R13 tire size. The available radial products in this fitment are built for that same 13-inch wheel diameter, so rim diameter should remain consistent when replacing tires.
Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on older cars that may have been changed over the years. A buyer should also verify actual wheel width and inspect for aftermarket wheels before mounting a new set, since a tire that matches the correct 13-inch diameter still needs compatible wheel dimensions.
Do all 1979 Honda Accord sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. Both the 1979 Honda Accord 4 Dr. Sedan and the 1979 Honda Accord Hatchback use the same 165R13 radial tire size. There is no split in primary tire sizing between those covered sub-models.
That shared fitment makes replacement shopping easier because the buyer does not need to choose between different diameter or width classes by body style. Even so, an older Accord may no longer be on its original wheels, so confirming the current wheel setup before installation remains an important final check.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165R13 tire for a 1979 Honda Accord?
Start with the correct 165R13 radial size and the required 13-inch wheel diameter. From there, compare the tire series available, the wheel-width requirements where stated, and the kind of appearance you want from a classic blackwall radial on a late-1970s Honda.
A restoration-minded owner may lean toward a vintage-pattern radial that suits the car’s era, while a driver focused on regular road use may prioritize the series and specifications that best fit the wheel and intended use. It also helps to compare product weight and load information where those details are available.
What sidewall styles are available for 1979 Honda Accord tires?
The available 165R13 tires for the 1979 Honda Accord are blackwall radials. That gives the car a clean, understated sidewall presentation that suits the practical, late-1970s compact look without introducing whitewall or raised-letter styling.
Because the sidewall treatment stays consistent, the visual differences come more from the tire series itself than from decorative sidewall choices. Buyers trying to keep a tidy period-style appearance can focus on selecting the right blackwall radial and confirming that the size and wheel setup stay true to the Accord’s original fitment direction.
What brands offer tires for the 1979 Honda Accord?
Michelin and Dunlop both offer 165R13 radial tires for the 1979 Honda Accord. In this fitment, Michelin appears in XAS-FF and XAS form, while Dunlop is represented by the SP Sport Aquajet series.
Brand choice should be considered alongside tire series, wheel-width compatibility, and the kind of presentation the car needs. Rather than treating brand alone as the deciding factor, compare the full tire description and confirm that the wheel dimensions on the car align with the specifications of the tire being considered.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Honda Accord?
A period-style 1979 Honda Accord should begin with the correct 165R13 radial size and a blackwall presentation. Vintage-oriented radial series such as Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet keep the selection in a style that suits the car’s late-1970s character.
For an owner restoring the car’s look, the goal is usually to preserve the proper size, sidewall treatment, and overall visual proportion rather than chasing a modernized appearance. When exact originality matters, it helps to compare against marque references, period photos, or vehicle-specific historical documentation before making a final choice.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1979 Honda Accord restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because the tire has a major effect on stance, wheel appearance, and how authentic the car looks in profile. On a 1979 Honda Accord, staying with the proper 165R13 radial size helps preserve the vehicle’s intended scale and presentation.
Correct fitment also affects practical details beyond appearance. A tire matched to the proper wheel diameter and suitable wheel width is easier to evaluate for clearance and overall compatibility, especially on a restored car that may see occasional road use rather than static display alone.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Honda Accord?
Yes. Even though the 1979 Honda Accord uses a straightforward 165R13 radial fitment, modifications can change what works on the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, suspension changes, or body modifications can all affect tire clearance and compatibility.
An owner should verify the actual wheel diameter and width on the car before assuming a replacement tire setup is unchanged from stock. Steering clearance, fender space, and the condition of suspension components also deserve attention, particularly on older vehicles that may have seen decades of repairs or upgrades.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Honda Accord on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm lug hardware condition, and make sure the tires are mounted on the correct 13-inch rims. It is also wise to check alignment-related wear points and look over suspension and steering components that can affect how the new tires behave.
On a vintage Accord, tire condition should never be viewed in isolation from the rest of the chassis. A careful pre-drive check should include air pressure, visible sidewall damage, tread condition, and any signs of rubbing once the car is on the ground and turned lock to lock.
How should 165R13 tires on a collector 1979 Honda Accord be maintained?
165R13 tires on a collector 1979 Honda Accord should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and checked for slow air loss during periods of storage. Low-use collector cars often age tires by time and environment as much as by mileage.
Storage conditions matter as well. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment can help protect the tires between drives. It also helps to inspect the tires before each outing rather than assuming limited use means they remain road-ready.
