The 1998 Chevrolet Metro belongs to the final era of a small, efficiency-focused hatchback and sedan line known for light weight, simple packaging, and practical everyday use. Buyers looking after one today are often balancing economical road manners with the desire to keep the car visually appropriate for its late-1990s character. The 1998 Chevrolet Metro uses a 155/80R13 radial tire on a 13-inch rim. That creates a straightforward fitment path, with available choices centered more on brand, whitewall treatment, and tire series than on juggling multiple primary sizes. The real decision is choosing a radial that matches the car's intended use, appearance, and wheel setup.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1998 Chevrolet Metro
The 1998 Chevrolet Metro uses one primary tire size: 155/80R13 radial on a 13-inch rim. Both covered sub-models share that same fitment, so the main choice is not between multiple sizes but between available radial tires, whitewall styles, and product specifications that suit the car's appearance goals and intended road use.
155/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 155 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, 80 refers to the aspect-ratio profile, and 13 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. For the 1998 Chevrolet Metro, this is a modern radial fitment that keeps sizing simple while preserving the car's intended 13-inch wheel setup. Available options include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments across series such as UN106, Silvertown Radial, Classic Whitewall MA-1, and Tornel Classic. This size is the right place to focus when selecting for appearance, rim-width compatibility, and routine street driving.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1998 Chevrolet Metro sub-models because both use the same primary size. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that the car remains on its proper wheel and tire setup before comparing available radial options.
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1998 Chevrolet Metro Base
The 1998 Chevrolet Metro Base uses the same 155/80R13 radial fitment as the other covered Metro variant. That keeps tire selection focused on comparing whitewall style, brand, and rim-width compatibility rather than sorting through multiple primary sizes.
The 1998 Chevrolet Metro LSi also uses 155/80R13 radial tires on a 13-inch wheel. For this sub-model, the key decision is choosing the right radial tire presentation and specification for the car's current wheels, condition, and intended street use.
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 1998 Chevrolet Metro Tires for Sale
Available 155/80R13 choices for the 1998 Chevrolet Metro include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel radials, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles across several tire series. The product grid is most useful for comparing appearance, rim-width specifications, weight, and load figures where stated.
Common 1998 Chevrolet Metro tire questions usually come down to the single 155/80R13 fitment, 13-inch wheel compatibility, available whitewall styles, and how to choose among the radial options before putting the car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1998 Chevrolet Metro?
The 1998 Chevrolet Metro uses a 155/80R13 radial tire. That size applies across the covered Metro Base and LSi sub-models, making fitment much more straightforward than on vehicles that changed tire size by trim or package.
Using the correct size keeps the search centered on the proper 13-inch wheel fitment and on comparing the available tire styles within that size. If the car has replacement wheels, confirm the actual wheel diameter and width before selecting a tire, since an older Metro may no longer be on its original wheel setup.
What size rim does a 1998 Chevrolet Metro use?
The 1998 Chevrolet Metro uses a 13-inch rim with its 155/80R13 tire size. The tire dimensions for this fitment pair the radial tire with a 13.0-inch rim diameter, which is the wheel size to confirm first when replacing tires.
Rim diameter is only one part of the picture, so wheel width still matters when comparing tire options. Several available 155/80R13 products carry their own recommended rim-width ranges, and that makes it important to match the tire not just to the Metro's nominal wheel diameter, but also to the actual wheel on the car.
Do all 1998 Chevrolet Metro sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1998 Chevrolet Metro sub-models use the same 155/80R13 radial tire size. Both the Base and LSi share that fitment, so there is no sub-model split that sends you into different primary tire sizes.
That consistency means the selection process is mostly about product choice rather than sub-model decoding. It is still worth checking the current wheels and tires on the car, especially if it has seen budget replacement parts, aftermarket wheels, or long-term use, because the tire presently mounted may not always reflect the intended Metro fitment.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 155/80R13 tire for a 1998 Chevrolet Metro?
Start with the correct size, which is 155/80R13, and then compare the available radial options by wheel compatibility, load figure where stated, weight, and sidewall style. On a 1998 Chevrolet Metro, the main differences are not size changes but how each tire presents visually and how its specifications match the wheel.
A Metro used as a simple driver may call for a straightforward narrow whitewall radial, while a more appearance-focused car may lean toward a different whitewall treatment. Checking actual wheel width is especially useful here, because the available tires do not all share the exact same recommended rim-width range.
What sidewall styles are available for 1998 Chevrolet Metro tires?
155/80R13 tires for the 1998 Chevrolet Metro are available with both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. That gives the car owner a visible styling choice even though the primary tire size itself stays the same across the covered sub-models.
The best sidewall style depends on how the Metro is being presented. A narrow whitewall tends to keep the look restrained and subtle, while a wide whitewall creates a more pronounced vintage-style accent. Either way, sidewall style should be chosen after size and wheel compatibility are confirmed, not as a substitute for proper fitment.
What brands offer tires for the 1998 Chevrolet Metro?
The 1998 Chevrolet Metro has 155/80R13 radial tire options from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel. Those brands cover several different product lines, including UN106, Silvertown Radial, Classic Whitewall MA-1, and Tornel Classic.
Brand alone should not make the decision. It helps more to compare each tire's sidewall treatment, rim-width specification, and other measurable details that matter to your particular car. Since the Metro uses one primary size, the strongest reason to choose among brands is usually appearance and wheel compatibility rather than basic fitment differences.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1998 Chevrolet Metro?
A period-style 1998 Chevrolet Metro still starts with the correct 155/80R13 radial size. From there, the choice becomes one of presentation, with available options including narrow whitewall and wide whitewall radials from several brands and tire series.
For a restoration-oriented car, visual character matters alongside fitment. A restrained narrow whitewall may suit a more subtle late-1990s look, while a wider whitewall creates a stronger styling statement. If exact originality is the goal, compare the car against marque-specific references before deciding that a particular sidewall treatment matches its historical presentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1998 Chevrolet Metro restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because the 1998 Chevrolet Metro was built around a compact 155/80R13 radial on a 13-inch wheel. Even on a modest restoration, the right size helps preserve the car's stance, wheel relationship, and general visual balance.
Restoration decisions are not only cosmetic. A tire that departs from the intended size or wheel compatibility can alter how the car sits and whether it clears properly. Once the right fitment is confirmed, details such as whitewall width, brand, and tire series can be chosen to support the kind of presentation you want.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1998 Chevrolet Metro?
Yes. Even though the 1998 Chevrolet Metro uses a straightforward 155/80R13 fitment, modifications can change what safely works on the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body modifications can all affect clearance and compatibility.
A Metro that still uses stock-style 13-inch wheels is simpler to size correctly than one that has been changed over the years. Before installing new tires, confirm wheel diameter and width, then check for steering clearance and any rubbing points. That matters especially on small cars, where packaging is tighter and changes can have outsized effects.
What should I inspect before driving a 1998 Chevrolet Metro on new tires?
Before driving a 1998 Chevrolet Metro on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, verify that the tires are mounted in the correct 155/80R13 size, and make sure inflation is appropriate for the tire and wheel setup. A quick check of valve stems and overall installation quality is also worthwhile.
Road-readiness goes beyond the tires themselves. The car should also be checked for alignment-related wear patterns, loose suspension parts, and any contact between the tire and the body or steering components. A short local test drive, followed by a recheck for rubbing or pressure loss, is a smart way to confirm everything is behaving normally.
How should 155/80R13 tires on a collector 1998 Chevrolet Metro be maintained?
155/80R13 tires on a collector 1998 Chevrolet Metro should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and periodic movement of the car so the tires are not left sitting in one position for long periods.
Storage conditions make a difference on low-use vehicles. Keeping the Metro away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, excess moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the rubber over time. Even if tread still looks good, older collector-car tires deserve routine inspection, since age and inactivity can matter as much as mileage.
