The 1981 Nissan 310 came from a period when compact Japanese cars were prized for efficiency, tidy proportions, and everyday drivability. For owners keeping one on the road today, the tire decision is less about broad guesswork and more about matching the exact configuration of this front-wheel-drive-era compact. The 1981 Nissan 310 uses 13-inch radial tire fitments, with 155R13 and 165/70R13 both appearing depending on sub-model. That makes the key choice identifying the exact trim first, then deciding whether a traditional Euro-metric look or a later-style metric profile best suits the car. For a restoration-minded driver, tire shape and stance matter just as much as simple rim diameter.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1981 Nissan 310
Two primary tire sizes apply to the 1981 Nissan 310, and both use radial construction on a 13-inch rim. The right choice depends first on the exact sub-model, because the Deluxe can use either 155R13 or 165/70R13, while the GX uses 165/70R13. Once that is confirmed, the decision shifts to tire profile, appearance, and the type of radial presentation that best matches the car.
165/70R13 is a metric radial size with a 165-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and a 13-inch rim diameter. Compared with older metric sizing conventions, this format gives a more modern read because the profile is stated directly in the size code. On the 1981 Nissan 310, it is the shared fitment point between the Deluxe and GX, so it becomes especially relevant when confirming trim-level compatibility. This size deserves careful consideration if the car already wears later replacement wheels or if maintaining the intended 13-inch radial fitment across sub-model use is the priority.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1981 Nissan 310 because tire sizing is not identical across the range. The Deluxe has a broader fitment window, while the GX is tied to one primary size, so confirming the exact trim helps prevent choosing the wrong profile.
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1981 Nissan 310 Deluxe
The 1981 Nissan 310 Deluxe can use either 155R13 or 165/70R13, both in radial construction on a 13-inch rim. That gives the Deluxe owner a real choice between a taller-profile Euro-metric look and a more modern metric profile, with wheel setup and overall appearance worth checking before selecting a tire.
The 1981 Nissan 310 GX uses 165/70R13 radial tires, making its fitment more straightforward than the Deluxe. Tire selection then becomes a matter of confirming the 13-inch wheel setup and choosing the right profile and product style for road use or restoration-minded 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 1981 Nissan 310 Tires for Sale
Available 155R13 choices focus on blackwall radial tires from Michelin and Dunlop. Buyers can compare traditional compact-car offerings across the Michelin XAS-FF and SP Sport Aquajet series, along with rim-width compatibility and other specification details that affect how the tire suits the car.
Owners of a 1981 Nissan 310 usually need help sorting out the correct 13-inch tire size, trim-level fitment, and how to choose between available radial options. The questions below focus on size meaning, product selection, restoration appearance, and practical road-use checks.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1981 Nissan 310?
The 1981 Nissan 310 uses two primary radial tire sizes: 155R13 and 165/70R13. Both are 13-inch fitments, but they do not apply the same way across the range. The Deluxe can use either size, while the GX uses 165/70R13.
That means the first step is confirming the exact sub-model and checking the wheel currently on the car. A 13-inch rim is common to both sizes, but the profile and overall look differ, so a careful match matters for stance, clearance, and keeping the car visually appropriate for its trim and intended use.
What size rim does a 1981 Nissan 310 use?
The 1981 Nissan 310 uses a 13-inch rim with its primary tire fitments. Both 155R13 and 165/70R13 are built around that same rim diameter, which keeps wheel diameter straightforward even though more than one tire size appears on the car.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it still helps to verify the actual wheel width before selecting a tire. On older compact cars, replacement wheels may have been installed over time, and that can affect how well a given 13-inch radial matches the vehicle's tire profile and clearance needs.
Why does the 1981 Nissan 310 have more than one tire size?
More than one tire size appears on the 1981 Nissan 310 because fitment varies by sub-model. The Deluxe is associated with both 155R13 and 165/70R13, while the GX uses 165/70R13. That makes trim identification more important than assuming every 310 used one universal size.
A difference like this usually affects the tire's profile and visual stance more than the wheel diameter, since both sizes stay on 13-inch rims. Checking the exact trim and the wheels currently on the car helps narrow the choice and reduces the chance of selecting a tire that changes the look more than expected.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 155R13 tire for a 1981 Nissan 310?
A 155R13 tire for a 1981 Nissan 310 should be chosen around the correct sub-model fitment, 13-inch wheel compatibility, and the kind of radial presentation you want from the car. This size is available in blackwall form from Michelin and Dunlop, with traditional series such as Michelin XAS-FF and SP Sport Aquajet.
Selection becomes more specific once appearance and wheel width enter the picture. A buyer preserving a period-style compact look may prefer the taller-profile Euro-metric character of 155R13, while someone comparing installed wheels should also confirm rim width and the car's current stance before making a final choice.
What sidewall styles are available for 1981 Nissan 310 tires?
The available 155R13 tire options for the 1981 Nissan 310 use a blackwall sidewall style. That gives the car a clean, understated presentation that suits many compact import restorations and drivers who want a simple, road-ready appearance without added stripe or letter treatments.
Sidewall style is an appearance decision as much as a fitment decision, especially on a small car where the tire is visually prominent. A blackwall tends to keep the look restrained and closer to an everyday compact-car presentation, so it makes sense to weigh that visual effect along with the correct size and wheel setup.
What brands offer tires for the 1981 Nissan 310?
Michelin and Dunlop offer 155R13 radial tires for the 1981 Nissan 310. The Michelin option appears in the XAS-FF family, while Dunlop offers the SP Sport Aquajet. Both keep the focus on a traditional compact-car radial rather than a heavily stylized collector sidewall treatment.
Brand choice should still come after confirming the right size for the car's trim and wheels. Once that is settled, comparing tire series, rim-width suitability, and the kind of period-style appearance each tire brings to the car is more useful than trying to treat one brand as universally right for every 310.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1981 Nissan 310?
For a period-style 1981 Nissan 310, the right starting point is the correct primary size for the exact sub-model, then the tire's visual character within that size. A 155R13 Euro-metric radial gives a traditional compact-car look, while 165/70R13 reads as a more modern metric profile on the same 13-inch wheel diameter.
That choice affects how the car sits and how authentic the overall presentation feels, even without changing the rim diameter. Buyers pursuing a highly exact restoration should compare tire appearance against period photos, marque references, or original vehicle documentation rather than assuming any one currently available tire is automatically factory-correct.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1981 Nissan 310?
Tire construction is simple on the 1981 Nissan 310 because the primary fitments are radial. Even so, appearance still changes with the way the size is written and proportioned, since a 155R13 Euro-metric radial and a 165/70R13 metric radial do not present the same profile on the car.
On a restored compact Nissan, those profile differences can influence the visual balance between wheel opening, sidewall height, and overall stance. Matching the car's trim, wheel setup, and restoration goal matters more than chasing a generic tire style, especially when the objective is a tidy period-style look instead of an obviously updated one.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1981 Nissan 310?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1981 Nissan 310 even when the car still uses a 13-inch wheel. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension alterations, or body and fender work can all influence how a 155R13 or 165/70R13 tire sits and clears.
That is why a trim-correct tire size should still be checked against the actual setup on the car. Looking at wheel width, steering clearance, and how the tire sits inside the wheel opening is especially important on older compact cars, where even small changes can alter the visual stance and usable space around the tire.
What should I inspect before driving a 1981 Nissan 310 on new tires?
Before driving a 1981 Nissan 310 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm lug hardware is secure, and check that the tires clear the fenders and suspension through steering travel. Tire pressure should also be set correctly, and the tires should be examined for any shipping or mounting damage.
A short, careful road test helps reveal vibration, rubbing, or a pull that may point to wheel, alignment, or installation issues. It also makes sense to recheck air retention after the first drive, since older wheels and collector cars that sit for long periods sometimes reveal small problems only after the tires are back in regular use.
How should 155R13 tires on a collector 1981 Nissan 310 be maintained?
155R13 tires on a collector 1981 Nissan 310 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and attention to age-related deterioration. Look for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and slow air loss, especially if the car spends long periods parked rather than being driven weekly.
Storage habits matter almost as much as mileage on a lightly used collector car. Keeping the Nissan away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tire's condition, and occasional movement prevents flat spotting from becoming a bigger issue on a compact car that may spend much of its life indoors.
