The 1981 Audi 4000 came from a period when Audi was building a reputation for compact European sedans that blended crisp road manners with understated styling. For many owners today, that makes tire choice less about chasing a dramatic size change and more about preserving the car’s balanced character on the road. This exact model uses a 175/70R13 radial tire on a 13-inch rim, and that straightforward fitment keeps the selection process focused. In this size, the available choice centers on a blackwall radial in Avon’s CR6ZZ series. The key is matching the correct metric size while confirming wheel condition, rim width, and overall clearance on the car as it sits.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1981 Audi 4000
The 1981 Audi 4000 uses one primary tire size: 175/70R13, a radial tire for a 13-inch rim. Both the Base and S models share that same fitment, so the main decision is not which primary size applies, but which tire within that size best suits the car’s intended road use, appearance, and wheel setup.
A 175/70R13 size is a metric radial tire with a 175-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, and fitment for a 13-inch wheel. On the 1981 Audi 4000, that modern metric radial format matches the car’s original-era sizing approach and keeps the fitment straightforward for both major sub-models. Available choice in this size includes the Avon CR6ZZ, offered as a blackwall radial. This size is the right starting point for owners who want to keep the car on its intended 13-inch wheel diameter while maintaining proper proportions and checking rim width compatibility before installation.
Tire fitment is simple across the covered 1981 Audi 4000 sub-models because both use the same 175/70R13 radial size. That consistency means the focus shifts from identifying a different size to confirming wheel condition, tire style, and compatibility with the car’s present setup.
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1981 Audi 4000 Base
The 1981 Audi 4000 Base uses the same 175/70R13 radial fitment found across the model range here. That makes tire selection more about choosing the right product within the correct size and verifying that the existing 13-inch wheels remain within suitable width and condition.
The 1981 Audi 4000 S also uses a 175/70R13 radial tire, so there is no sub-model-specific size split to sort out first. The practical choice is selecting a tire that matches the car’s intended driving use while confirming wheel width, clearance, and overall setup before mounting.
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 1981 Audi 4000 Tires for Sale
For the 1981 Audi 4000, product comparison stays focused on the 175/70R13 radial size. The available option is an Avon CR6ZZ blackwall radial, so the key comparisons are construction, series character, and rim-width compatibility rather than multiple sidewall treatments or brand choices.
These 1981 Audi 4000 tire FAQs focus on the 175/70R13 fitment, 13-inch rim compatibility, product selection, period-appropriate appearance, and the wheel, suspension, and maintenance checks worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1981 Audi 4000?
The 1981 Audi 4000 uses a 175/70R13 radial tire. That same primary size applies to both the 1981 Audi 4000 Base and the 1981 Audi 4000 S, so there is no split between those covered sub-models when choosing the basic fitment.
That makes the selection process more straightforward than on vehicles with multiple factory-size paths. The next step is checking that the car still has the correct 13-inch wheels, that the wheel width falls within the tire’s acceptable range, and that no aftermarket wheel or suspension changes have altered the space available around the tire.
What size rim does a 1981 Audi 4000 use?
The tire fitment for a 1981 Audi 4000 is built around a 13-inch rim, matching the 175/70R13 tire size. In the available product range for this fitment, the 175/70R13 radial is matched to a wheel-width range of 4.5 to 6.0 inches.
Rim diameter is the first point to confirm, but width matters too. A 13-inch wheel outside the suitable width range can affect how the tire seats and presents on the car, so it is worth measuring the actual wheel before mounting tires, especially if the Audi has replacement steel wheels or aftermarket alloys.
Do all 1981 Audi 4000 sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. Both covered sub-models, the 1981 Audi 4000 Base and 1981 Audi 4000 S, use the same 175/70R13 radial tire size. That shared fitment keeps the decision centered on choosing the right tire within the size rather than sorting through different diameter or profile options.
Even with consistent sub-model sizing, it still helps to verify the car’s actual wheel setup. Older cars are often changed over time, and a switch to different wheels can create clearance or width issues that have nothing to do with the original size, so the present-day hardware should always be checked before final tire selection.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 175/70R13 tire for a 1981 Audi 4000?
Start with the correct size and construction: 175/70R13 radial. From there, look at how the tire matches the car’s intended use, the wheel-width compatibility, and the overall character you want, whether that means preserving a clean period-style presentation or prioritizing regular road use on an unrestored driver.
The available 175/70R13 option includes the Avon CR6ZZ blackwall radial, so the comparison is less about sorting through many sizes and more about confirming that the tire suits the existing wheels and the way the Audi is driven. Wheel condition, alignment, and clearance are just as important as the size stamped on the sidewall.
What brands offer tires for the 1981 Audi 4000?
The available tire offering for the 1981 Audi 4000 includes Avon in the 175/70R13 size. That keeps the fitment decision fairly focused, since the vehicle uses one primary size and the product range here does not branch across several different brands or parallel sizing formats.
With a narrower brand selection, the buying decision shifts toward verifying the tire’s compatibility with the car’s 13-inch wheels and intended use rather than comparing long lists of competing models. It also helps to inspect the present wheels carefully, since a sound tire choice still depends on proper wheel width, condition, and mounting surface integrity.
What tire series are available for the 1981 Audi 4000?
The 1981 Audi 4000 is offered here in Avon’s CR6ZZ series for the correct 175/70R13 fitment. Since the car uses one primary tire size, the series choice becomes part of the product-character decision rather than a question of moving between different fitment families.
A tire series can influence how the car presents visually and how the product aligns with the owner’s intended use, but the first requirement remains proper fit on the existing wheels. On a vintage European sedan like the 4000, keeping the right size and confirming wheel-width compatibility usually matters more than chasing a different look through incorrect sizing.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1981 Audi 4000?
A period-style starting point for a 1981 Audi 4000 is the correct 175/70R13 radial size on the proper 13-inch wheel diameter. Staying with the original-style metric radial fitment helps preserve the car’s proportions and avoids the visual and mechanical compromises that often come with moving to a different diameter or profile.
The available blackwall radial presentation suits the restrained look many owners want from an early-1980s Audi sedan. For buyers pursuing stricter restoration goals, the most important thing is matching size, construction type, and overall appearance to the car’s era, then checking marque-specific references if exact historical presentation matters beyond basic fitment.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1981 Audi 4000 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1981 Audi 4000 restoration because tire size affects stance, wheel appearance, and the overall visual balance of the car. Using the proper 175/70R13 radial size helps keep the Audi looking proportionate while also supporting the wheel diameter the car was built around.
Fitment also matters beyond appearance. An incorrect size can create unwanted clearance issues or alter how the car sits relative to the fenders, which can distract from otherwise careful restoration work. Even on a driver-quality project, confirming wheel diameter, wheel width, and tire condition is part of finishing the car in a way that feels cohesive and usable.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1981 Audi 4000?
Yes. A 1981 Audi 4000 may use the correct 175/70R13 tire size on paper, but wheel changes, suspension alterations, or body modifications can still affect actual fitment. Changes in wheel width or offset can shift the tire inward or outward enough to create interference that the original setup would not have had.
That is why the tire decision should always be made around the car’s present configuration, not just the original size. A careful check of wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and fender space is worthwhile before installation, especially on a car that has been lowered, fitted with non-stock wheels, or rebuilt over many years.
What should I inspect before driving a 1981 Audi 4000 on new tires?
Before driving a 1981 Audi 4000 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm proper mounting on the 13-inch rims, and check inflation pressure once the tires are installed. It also helps to look over suspension and steering components so the new tires are not immediately affected by avoidable alignment or wear issues.
A short road test should be followed by another inspection for air loss, rubbing, or signs that the tire is not seated or clearing correctly. Since collector-era cars often spend time parked, it is wise to pay attention to wheel fastener torque, valve condition, and any vibration that may point to a wheel or balance issue.
How should 175/70R13 tires on a collector 1981 Audi 4000 be maintained?
175/70R13 tires on a collector 1981 Audi 4000 should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and protected from long periods of exposure to heat, sunlight, and moisture. On a car that is not driven often, condition and age deserve as much attention as remaining tread depth.
Routine checks are especially important after storage, since a low-use car can develop flat spotting, slow air loss, or hidden sidewall deterioration between drives. Driving the Audi occasionally, storing it on a clean dry surface, and looking over the tires before longer trips will help catch problems early and preserve a sound road-going setup.
