The 1999 Chevrolet Metro came at the end of an era when simple, lightweight economy cars still prioritized efficiency, compact dimensions, and low running costs over excess size or power. For owners keeping one on the road today, tire choice matters because a small car like the Metro responds noticeably to changes in size, sidewall shape, and overall presentation. The 1999 Chevrolet Metro uses a 155/80R13 radial tire on a 13-inch rim, and that same primary fitment carries across both Base and LSi models. Available choices include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles from several brands and series, so the decision becomes balancing correct fitment, appearance, and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1999 Chevrolet Metro
The 1999 Chevrolet Metro uses one primary tire size: 155/80R13, a radial tire for a 13-inch rim. That fitment is shared across the Base and LSi sub-models, so the main decision is not between multiple factory sizes, but between available radial options, sidewall appearance, and wheel compatibility within the correct size range.
A 155/80R13 tire uses a 155-millimeter section width, an 80-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. On the 1999 Chevrolet Metro, that radial format suits the car's compact, light-duty character and keeps the fitment centered on the original size family rather than moving into a larger or lower-profile alternative. Available choices include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel, with both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall presentations across series such as UN106, Silvertown Radial, Classic Whitewall MA-1, and Tornel Classic. This size is the right starting point when the goal is to preserve proper proportions while choosing the look and product details that best match the car.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the 1999 Chevrolet Metro lineup because the covered sub-models share the same primary size. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that the car remains on its expected 13-inch wheel setup before comparing tire style and brand options.
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1999 Chevrolet Metro Base
The 1999 Chevrolet Metro Base uses the same 155/80R13 radial fitment as the rest of the covered lineup. That keeps tire selection focused on choosing the right radial option, sidewall style, and wheel-width compatibility rather than sorting through different primary sizes.
The 1999 Chevrolet Metro LSi also uses the 155/80R13 radial size on a 13-inch rim. For an LSi, the practical choice is between available brands and whitewall treatments while confirming that the wheel setup has not been changed from the expected fitment.
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 1999 Chevrolet Metro Tires for Sale
Available 155/80R13 options for the 1999 Chevrolet Metro are all radial tires, with choices from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel. Buyers can compare narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles, several tire series, and rim-width compatibility across the product grid.
Common 1999 Chevrolet Metro tire questions usually come down to the correct 155/80R13 fitment, 13-inch rim use, available whitewall styles, and how to choose among the radial options while checking wheel condition and road-use readiness.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1999 Chevrolet Metro?
The 1999 Chevrolet Metro uses a 155/80R13 radial tire. That primary size applies to both the Base and LSi versions covered here, so the fitment question is simpler than it is on vehicles that changed sizes by trim or package.
The next step is confirming that the car still has its expected 13-inch wheels and has not been changed to an aftermarket setup. Once the size is confirmed, selection usually comes down to brand, sidewall appearance, and matching the tire's rim-width range to the wheels currently on the car.
What size rim does a 1999 Chevrolet Metro use?
The 1999 Chevrolet Metro uses a 13-inch rim with its 155/80R13 tire size. That rim diameter is consistent across the primary fitment, which keeps tire selection centered on one wheel diameter rather than forcing a choice between multiple rim sizes.
Rim diameter should still be checked on the actual car before ordering tires, especially on an older compact that may have seen replacement wheels over time. Wheel width matters too, since available 155/80R13 products have different approved rim-width ranges that should match the wheel being used.
Do all 1999 Chevrolet Metro sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. Both the 1999 Chevrolet Metro Base and 1999 Chevrolet Metro LSi use the same 155/80R13 radial tire size. There is no split here between one size for one sub-model and another size for the other.
That shared fitment makes the buying decision more about the tire itself than about trim-level differences. Even so, it is worth checking the wheel currently on the car, because a previous owner could have changed wheels or tire size, and that can affect which 155/80R13 option is most appropriate.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 155/80R13 tire for a 1999 Chevrolet Metro?
Start with the correct size and construction: 155/80R13 radial. After that, compare the tire's approved rim-width range, sidewall style, brand, and series, since available choices for the 1999 Chevrolet Metro include both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall designs.
A Metro used as a preserved original-style commuter may call for a different visual presentation than one being refreshed with a more traditional collector-car look. Wheel width, overall tire condition goals, and how closely the chosen sidewall style matches the car's appearance should guide the final decision.
What sidewall styles are available for 1999 Chevrolet Metro tires?
The available 155/80R13 tires for a 1999 Chevrolet Metro include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles. That gives owners the ability to keep a restrained, subtle sidewall look or move toward a more pronounced whitewall presentation.
Sidewall style does not change the need to stay within the correct tire size and wheel range. It mainly affects the car's appearance, so the right choice depends on whether the goal is a cleaner everyday look or a more restoration-oriented, period-inspired visual treatment.
What brands offer tires for the 1999 Chevrolet Metro?
Available 155/80R13 radial tires for the 1999 Chevrolet Metro come from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel. Those options span several series, including UN106, Silvertown Radial, Classic Whitewall MA-1, and Tornel Classic.
Choosing among them is less about chasing a single answer and more about comparing construction details, sidewall appearance, and wheel compatibility. A buyer looking for a wide whitewall presentation may focus differently than one who simply wants a narrow whitewall radial that suits the Metro's compact proportions.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1999 Chevrolet Metro?
A period-style 1999 Chevrolet Metro should still begin with the correct 155/80R13 radial fitment. From there, the choice depends on how traditional or understated the finished car should look, since this size is available in both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles.
The best visual match often comes from balancing the Metro's modest scale with a sidewall treatment that does not overpower the car. Owners pursuing strict originality should compare the chosen appearance with period photos, showroom literature, or marque-specific references before settling on a whitewall width.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1999 Chevrolet Metro restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1999 Chevrolet Metro restoration because the car's small overall size makes tire proportions especially noticeable. Staying with 155/80R13 helps preserve the intended relationship between wheel opening, ride height, and sidewall shape.
A Metro can look visibly different when the tire profile or wheel diameter strays from its expected fitment. Even when the goal is not concours-level restoration, keeping the right size and choosing an appropriate sidewall style usually produces a more coherent finished appearance and avoids unnecessary clearance questions.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1999 Chevrolet Metro?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1999 Chevrolet Metro even when the intended tire size remains 155/80R13. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, or bodywork repairs can change the space available around the tire and the wheel specifications it needs.
A Metro that has been lowered or fitted with non-original wheels should be checked for wheel width, offset-related clearance, and turning room before tires are installed. Small cars leave less margin for fitment changes, so verifying the actual setup on the car is more useful than assuming every example remains standard.
What should I inspect before driving a 1999 Chevrolet Metro on new tires?
Before driving a 1999 Chevrolet Metro on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the 13-inch wheel setup, and make sure the tires are seated and inflated properly. It is also smart to look over the suspension and steering components, since worn parts can affect how a lightweight car tracks and wears tires.
A short initial road check helps confirm there is no rubbing, vibration, or pull. After that, monitor pressure, recheck lug torque as appropriate for the wheel setup, and keep an eye on tread wear so the new 155/80R13 tires continue to wear evenly and behave as expected.
How should 155/80R13 tires on a collector 1999 Chevrolet Metro be maintained?
Collector-use 155/80R13 tires on a 1999 Chevrolet Metro should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and driven often enough to avoid long periods of neglect. Low-mileage cars can age tires quietly even when tread depth still looks usable.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a lightly used Metro. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, and a routine visual inspection before each outing is a sensible habit for any older compact that is not driven every day.
