1910 Oldsmobile came from a moment when American motoring was still defining itself, and the company’s lineup reflected that early-brass-era mix of practical touring cars and larger, more imposing machines. Oldsmobile was already an established name by 1910, but tire choice still depended heavily on where a model sat in the range and the wheel equipment it used. Across the four 1910 Oldsmobile models covered here, two antique high-pressure bias-ply sizes appear: 36X4 on the Series 22 and Series 25, and 42X4/12 on the Series 23 and Series 24. Before choosing a tire, the first step is confirming your exact model, because size follows model rather than make alone.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1910 Oldsmobile
Two tire sizes are available for 1910 Oldsmobile vehicles, and they vary by model rather than being shared across the full range. The real decision starts with identifying whether you have a Series 22 or 25, which use 36X4, or a Series 23 or 24, which use 42X4/12. Understanding that distinction before choosing a product saves time and helps match the tire to the correct wheel and vehicle stance.
Year(s): 1910|Fit(s): Series 22, Series 25|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 28 in
36X4 is an antique high-pressure size in which the first number refers to overall tire diameter and the second number refers to section width, and it is built here as a bias-ply tire for a 28-inch rim. Available brands include Firestone, Diamond, BFGoodrich, and Universal Vintage Tire, with sidewall styles including blackwall, all white, and wide whitewall; load figures shown in this size include 1050 pounds at 60 psi and 1000 pounds at 60 psi. This size is specific to the 1910 Oldsmobile Series 22 and Series 25 rather than universal across the make. It suits owners looking to stay within authentic brass-era construction while choosing the sidewall appearance that best fits their restoration goals.
Year(s): 1910|Fit(s): Series 23, Series 24|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: Bias Ply
42X4/12 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size, with the code indicating an early high-pressure bias-ply format rather than a later numeric or metric system. It is the size used on the larger 1910 Oldsmobile Series 23 and Series 24 models. This size is specific to those models, so it should be chosen only after confirming the vehicle is one of that pair rather than a Series 22 or Series 25. For brass-era restorations, the key consideration is preserving the proper size and construction type for the model rather than substituting by make alone.
Four Oldsmobile models are covered for 1910, and tire size is split by model family rather than shared across the full lineup. That means a buyer needs to identify the exact series before moving on to tire selection, since the smaller and larger cars do not use the same size. Select a model below to narrow the fitment history and see the tires associated with that specific Oldsmobile.
1910 Oldsmobile Series 22
The 1910 Oldsmobile Series 22 represents the lighter, more compact side of the brass-era Oldsmobile range, where proportion and road use differed from the larger touring models of the same year. Its tires mount on 28-inch rims and use the 36X4 high-pressure bias-ply size, which keeps the car aligned with period construction and appearance.
The 1910 Oldsmobile Series 23 sits in the larger portion of the lineup, where wheel and tire proportions were part of the car’s more substantial brass-era presence. It uses 42X4/12 tires, making it distinct from the smaller Series 22 and Series 25 cars and reinforcing the need to identify the series before choosing tires.
The 1910 Oldsmobile Series 24 shares the larger-scale character typical of upper-range brass-era Oldsmobiles, where tire size contributed to both ride height and visual stance. Its fitment uses the 42X4/12 size rather than the 36X4 seen on smaller 1910 Oldsmobile models, so model identification matters before comparing products.
The 1910 Oldsmobile Series 25 belongs with the smaller-displacement, lighter-footprint side of the year’s lineup, where tire sizing follows the same pattern as the Series 22 rather than the larger Series 23 and 24. It mounts its tires on 28-inch rims and uses the 36X4 high-pressure bias-ply size that fits that part of the range.
Four products are available across two tire sizes for 1910 Oldsmobile vehicles. The 36X4 size includes four bias-ply offerings from Firestone, Diamond, BFGoodrich, and Universal Vintage Tire with blackwall, all-white, and wide-whitewall styles. Confirm your model first, since the available products shown here center on only one of the two year-make sizes.
These FAQs focus on how 1910 Oldsmobile tire sizing splits across the Series 22 through 25 lineup, how antique diameter-by-section sizing works, and what brass-era owners should check for restoration accuracy, setup, road use, and long-term care.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1910 Oldsmobile vehicles?
1910 Oldsmobile vehicles use two tire sizes, and they are model-specific rather than shared across the whole make. The Series 22 and Series 25 use 36X4, while the Series 23 and Series 24 use 42X4/12. The 36X4 products shown here mount on 28-inch rims, and the listed examples in that size include load figures of 1000 pounds at 60 psi and 1050 pounds at 60 psi. Both sizes are brass-era bias-ply types built around early high-pressure tire construction.
That split matters because a 1910 Oldsmobile owner cannot choose by year and make alone. Start by confirming the exact series on the car, then compare the tire size already on the vehicle against the wheel and chassis. On restored brass cars, even a close-looking size can change stance, steering feel, and historical correctness, so it is worth checking the wheel before moving from a general year-make search to a final tire choice.
What does 36X4 mean on a 1910 Oldsmobile tire?
On a 1910 Oldsmobile, 36X4 is an antique diameter-by-section size rather than a later numeric or metric code. The 36 refers to the tire’s overall diameter and the 4 refers to section width, and the available examples are brass-era bias-ply tires. In the products offered for this size, the tires mount on 28-inch rims. That size applies to the 1910 Oldsmobile Series 22 and Series 25.
A modern buyer can easily mistake 36X4 for a wheel size, but it is really an early tire measurement system. Knowing that helps prevent ordering by the wrong number and explains why the rim diameter is smaller than the tire’s stated diameter. If your car is a Series 22 or Series 25, confirm the wheel itself and compare the tire’s full sidewall marking before selecting between blackwall, all-white, or wide-whitewall versions in the same basic size.
Do all 1910 Oldsmobile models use the same tire size?
No, 1910 Oldsmobile models do not all use the same tire size. The Series 22 and Series 25 use 36X4, while the Series 23 and Series 24 use 42X4/12. All of the sizes associated with this year are bias-ply brass-era tires, but the actual dimensions differ by model group. That means Oldsmobile size selection in 1910 follows the series designation, not just the make badge.
This is especially important on early cars because the visual difference between wheel and tire combinations is part of the car’s correct character. A larger-series Oldsmobile fitted with the smaller size, or the reverse, can look obviously wrong and may alter ground clearance and gearing feel. Before narrowing your search to a product, verify the series number on the vehicle and compare it to the tire size already fitted or to period reference material from a marque club.
Buying the Right Tire
What sidewall styles are available for 1910 Oldsmobile tires?
1910 Oldsmobile tires in the listed 36X4 size are available in several sidewall styles, including blackwall, all white, and wide whitewall. Firestone appears in blackwall form, Diamond and Universal Vintage Tire appear in all-white form, and BFGoodrich appears in a wide whitewall version. All of these are bias-ply offerings intended for brass-era fitment. Sidewall appearance changes the car’s visual character even when the base size stays the same.
For restoration work, sidewall style is often almost as important as size because it strongly influences how an early Oldsmobile presents at a show or on the road. Some owners prefer a more restrained blackwall look, while others want the brighter presentation of white sidewalls on a period touring car. The right choice depends on how your specific 1910 Oldsmobile is being restored and how closely you want to match the look associated with its era and body style.
What brands make tires for 1910 Oldsmobile vehicles?
The available 36X4 tires for 1910 Oldsmobile vehicles come from Firestone, Diamond, BFGoodrich, and Universal Vintage Tire. All are bias-ply brass-era offerings, but they differ in tread family and sidewall presentation. Firestone appears as a Non Skid tire in the High Pressure line, BFGoodrich appears as a Silvertown Cord example, and Diamond and Universal Vintage Tire offer white-sidewall alternatives in the same general size category.
Brand matters less as a simple popularity contest than as part of the look and restoration direction you want for the car. Some owners focus on historical flavor and period styling, while others compare visual finish and available sidewall treatments within the same size. Once your 1910 Oldsmobile model is confirmed, compare the brand options available in that size and decide whether your priority is a more understated blackwall appearance or a brighter white-sidewall presentation.
What is the difference between Firestone Non Skid and BFGoodrich Silvertown Cord for the 1910 Oldsmobile?
For a 1910 Oldsmobile in 36X4, Firestone Non Skid and BFGoodrich Silvertown Cord differ in sidewall presentation, weight, and listed load figure. The Firestone example is a blackwall tire weighing 28 pounds with a listed maximum load of 1050 pounds at 60 psi. The BFGoodrich example is a wide whitewall tire weighing 26 pounds with a listed maximum load of 1000 pounds at 60 psi. Both are brass-era bias-ply tires in the same base size.
Those differences matter most when your goal is narrowing a tire to the character of the restoration rather than changing fitment. A blackwall Firestone gives one visual direction, while a wide whitewall BFGoodrich creates a distinctly different period look on the same 1910 Oldsmobile size. Since both share the same 36X4 designation, the choice is less about dimensional compatibility and more about appearance, stated load figure, and the style of restoration you want to achieve.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1910 Oldsmobile tires require?
1910 Oldsmobile tires in the listed 36X4 size mount on 28-inch rims, but a rim width range is not shown alongside those products. That means the most concrete wheel fitment point available here is rim diameter, not a published span of acceptable rim widths. The 42X4/12 size is also part of the year-make range, but the wheel details for that size should be confirmed directly against the actual vehicle and wheel before a tire is selected.
On a brass-era car, rim width and rim profile can be just as important as nominal tire size because early wheel systems were less standardized than later drop-center passenger wheels. If your 1910 Oldsmobile already wears older tires, inspect the sidewall markings and measure the wheel before assuming a replacement matches. A restorer or marque specialist can help confirm the proper wheel setup if the car has been reworked over the years.
Do 1910 Oldsmobile tires require inner tubes?
1910 Oldsmobile tires are brass-era bias-ply types, and early high-pressure applications like 36X4 and 42X4/12 are commonly associated with tube-type use. The products listed here do not carry tubeless markings, and nothing in the available size markings suggests a later tubeless passenger-car format. On a car of this age, tube serviceability and valve condition are part of the overall tire setup rather than a minor accessory detail.
Inner-tube needs should be confirmed against the specific tire and wheel being used, especially if the car has older restoration work or reproduction wheels. Before fitting tires to a 1910 Oldsmobile, inspect the rim for condition, make sure the valve arrangement matches the intended setup, and confirm that the tire, tube, and flap combination is appropriate for the wheel. That extra step is worthwhile on early cars because wheel construction differs so much from later automotive practice.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1910 Oldsmobile when the tires are fitted?
A 1910 Oldsmobile should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, and other ozone sources that can age rubber. Brass-era bias-ply tires are especially vulnerable to long periods of static loading, sidewall drying, and flat spotting if the car sits in one position for months at a time. Keeping the tires properly inflated and the storage floor clean and dry helps reduce casing stress while the vehicle is parked.
For longer storage, move the 1910 Oldsmobile periodically or relieve part of the vehicle weight with stands placed correctly under the chassis, while still supporting the suspension in a sensible way for the car. Tire covers can help if the storage area is bright, and it is wise to inspect the sidewalls before the first drive of the season. On an early car, thoughtful storage is part of preserving both the tire and the overall restoration investment.
How long do tires on a 1910 Oldsmobile typically last?
Tires on a 1910 Oldsmobile should be evaluated by age as much as by tread wear, because collector vehicles often accumulate very little mileage. A useful rule is to inspect them closely once they reach the five- to seven-year range and to treat roughly ten years as a serious point for replacement consideration, even if the tread still looks usable. The DOT date-code habit used on later tires remains a good maintenance mindset, but the broader principle is that age hardens rubber and weakens the casing over time.
That approach matters more on brass-era cars than mileage-based thinking because many are driven only occasionally to shows, tours, and local events. A 1910 Oldsmobile can look fully roadworthy while still wearing tires that have aged out structurally. If the sidewalls are checking, the rubber feels stiff, or the car has been stored for long stretches, replace age-weakened tires before planning any meaningful road use rather than waiting for visible tread wear.
How often should tires on a 1910 Oldsmobile be inspected?
Tires on a 1910 Oldsmobile should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, weather checking, cuts, bulges, loose valve hardware, and any sign that the casing is no longer holding its intended shape. Because these are early bias-ply applications, pressure retention and tube-related sealing deserve extra attention compared with a later tubeless radial setup. A quick visual check is useful, but a hands-on inspection is better.
A longer brass-era drive asks more of the tire than a short run to a local gathering, so give the car a fuller inspection when touring is planned. Check cold inflation, examine the spare, and make sure no tire shows uneven wear that could point to a wheel or chassis issue. On a 1910 Oldsmobile, tire inspection is one of the simplest ways to reduce roadside trouble without changing the authenticity of the car.
Restoration & Authenticity
What tires were originally fitted to the 1910 Oldsmobile Series 22?
A 1910 Oldsmobile Series 22 would have been fitted in period with a bias-ply brass-era tire rather than a radial, because that was the normal construction of the time. Within the fitment covered here, the Series 22 uses the 36X4 size. That antique diameter-by-section format is fully in keeping with early high-pressure automotive practice. Original-equipment brand choice could vary by market, dealer, or restoration history, so the important first point is matching the correct size and construction type.
For an accurate restoration, focus on getting the Series 22 into the proper 36X4 bias-ply category before narrowing the choice by sidewall style or tread family. Early cars can pick up later substitutions over decades of use, so surviving tires are not always a trustworthy guide by themselves. If your goal is event-level authenticity, compare the car against period photos and consult Oldsmobile or brass-era marque resources for guidance on the exact look expected for your body style and presentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 1910 Oldsmobile?
Correct tire fitment matters significantly when showing a 1910 Oldsmobile because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction type, and sidewall appearance quickly on brass-era cars. A Series 22 or 25 should not wear the larger Series 23 or 24 size, and a 1910 Oldsmobile judged for originality should remain in appropriate bias-ply brass-era construction rather than a visibly modern substitute. Sidewall style can also affect whether the overall presentation looks faithful to the period.
Even when a tire physically mounts, show standards often look beyond simple fitment and ask whether the tire matches the era, model, and restoration intent. That is why tire choice on a 1910 Oldsmobile is partly a historical decision, not just a mechanical one. Before preparing for concours judging or an important exhibition, compare your selected tire size and sidewall treatment with the expectations of the event and consult marque-specific judging guidance where available.
What is the difference between Diamond and Universal Vintage Tire for the 1910 Oldsmobile?
For a 1910 Oldsmobile in 36X4, Diamond and Universal Vintage Tire are both offered as all-white brass-era bias-ply tires. Each is listed in the same basic size and both weigh 26 pounds, so their shared role is preserving the correct size category while delivering a bright white-sidewall presentation. Their main distinction is the tire line itself: Diamond appears in a Smooth Tread series, while Universal Vintage Tire appears in a Classic Bias Ply series.
Because the listed dimensions and weight are so similar, the decision between these two usually comes down to brand preference and the exact visual character you want on the car. On a 1910 Oldsmobile, that can be enough to influence how formal or how touring-oriented the finished restoration feels. When two products stay close in size and construction, the finer restoration details often matter more than a headline spec difference.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1910 Oldsmobile tires safe for highway driving?
1910 Oldsmobile tires are brass-era bias-ply designs, and no speed ratings are shown for the sizes covered here. That does not automatically rule out road use, but it does mean the car should be driven with a full understanding of early-vehicle limitations and the intended character of the tire. On a vehicle from 1910, brakes, steering geometry, suspension design, and overall chassis condition are often more limiting than tire technology at ordinary speeds.
Practical road safety starts with realism about what a brass-era Oldsmobile is meant to do. A carefully prepared car on sound tires may be suitable for measured secondary-road touring, while sustained modern freeway use asks far more of the whole vehicle system. Before taking a 1910 Oldsmobile on faster roads, confirm tire condition, age, inflation, and wheel integrity, then consider whether the rest of the car is equally ready for that type of driving.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1910 Oldsmobile tires?
Inflation pressure for 1910 Oldsmobile tires should follow the vehicle’s original guidance when available and the tire maker’s rated pressure for the specific product being used. In the listed 36X4 examples, load figures appear at 60 psi, including 1050 pounds at 60 psi and 1000 pounds at 60 psi. Those figures show the pressure associated with the stated maximum load for those individual tires, but they should not be treated as a universal setting for every 1910 Oldsmobile tire or every size in the range.
That distinction is important because a rated maximum-load pressure is not the same thing as the pressure you should automatically run in service. On an early Oldsmobile, ride quality, load, wheel condition, and the exact tire fitted all matter. Use the tire’s own sidewall guidance and period vehicle references together, and avoid borrowing a pressure figure from one size or product line and applying it broadly across other 1910 Oldsmobile tires.
What should I check before taking a 1910 Oldsmobile on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 1910 Oldsmobile, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, exposed age checking, bulges, uneven wear, and any sign of casing distortion. Confirm cold inflation, make sure the spare is serviceable, and pay attention to valve hardware and tube-related sealing because early tire systems demand more setup care than later tubeless designs. A brass-era Oldsmobile also deserves a wider mechanical inspection that includes wheels, bearings, brakes, steering, and fuel and ignition reliability.
A longer outing is where small issues become trip-ending problems, especially on a vehicle designed in motoring’s earliest years. Tire condition should be viewed as one part of overall road readiness rather than a separate concern. If the tires show age or the car has been sitting for a long period, correct those issues before focusing on route planning, because confidence in the tire and wheel setup is central to enjoying an extended drive in a 1910 Oldsmobile.
