1948 Peugeot Tire Fitment Guide

1948 Peugeot vehicles covered here use two tire sizes, both on the Peugeot 203: 155-400 and 155R15. Those are both radial sizes, but they do not mount on the same wheel diameter. The 155-400 fits a 400mm metric rim, while 155R15 fits a 15-inch rim. For 155R15 products, the listed rim width range is 4.00 to 5.50 inches on the products that publish that detail.

That means the correct starting point is the wheel already on your 1948 Peugeot, not simply the year and make. A Peugeot 203 still wearing metric wheels needs the metric-size path, while a car converted to 15-inch wheels needs the inch-based radial. Checking the stamping on the wheel, the tire sidewall, and the fitment history of the individual car will prevent an expensive mismatch between tire and rim.

On a 1948 Peugeot, 155-400 is a Euro-metric radial size. The 155 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, and the 400 identifies the rim diameter in millimeters rather than inches. That makes it different from a 15-inch size even though the numbers may look close to modern sizing conventions. For a postwar French car like the Peugeot 203, that metric-wheel format is part of the car’s original engineering character.

The practical point is simple: a 155-400 tire is chosen to fit a 400mm wheel, not a 15-inch wheel. Buyers restoring a Peugeot 203 to its original wheel standard usually begin here, while cars that have already been changed to inch-based wheels follow a different fitment path. Before ordering, verify the actual wheel diameter on the car rather than assuming one radial size can substitute for the other.

On a 1948 Peugeot, 155R15 is a metric radial size for a 15-inch wheel. The 155 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 15 is the rim diameter in inches. This older Euro-metric style does not print an aspect ratio in the way many later metric sizes do, but it still belongs to the familiar radial family used on classic European cars.

For a Peugeot 203, 155R15 usually points to a car running 15-inch wheels rather than the original 400mm setup. That opens the door to several radial products, but the details are not all identical within the size. Some versions are tubeless, one is tube-type, and speed ratings differ between T and H depending on the product, so the sidewall markings matter as much as the size itself.

Current 1948 Peugeot products in 155R15 are offered in blackwall form. That sidewall treatment is well suited to the understated look of a late-1940s Peugeot 203, whose visual character leans more toward practical European touring than heavy decorative sidewall styling. The available 155R15 range does not branch into multiple sidewall appearances here, so the main styling choice stays close to a clean, factory-appropriate presentation.

For most Peugeot 203 owners, that means sidewall appearance is straightforward and the more important decisions are wheel diameter, tube status, and the specific radial series you prefer. If authenticity is your goal, a simple blackwall presentation generally fits the period and market character better than a flashier American-style treatment would. Once the wheel diameter is confirmed, the product comparison becomes more about construction details than outward styling.

Firestone and Michelin both offer tires for 1948 Peugeot applications in 155R15. Firestone is represented by the F560 Radial, while Michelin appears with the Michelin X, Michelin XAS, and Michelin XAS-FF. All of those are radial, and all are blackwall products. Within this size, the brand choice also overlaps with differences in tube type and speed-rating markings, not just name on the sidewall.

That gives Peugeot 203 owners a useful spread of classic-compatible radial choices once the car is confirmed to use 15-inch wheels. Michelin has especially deep historical roots in French and European motoring, which may matter to buyers chasing a more Continental feel, while Firestone offers another established radial option in the same basic fitment. The right pick comes down to your wheel setup first, then the sidewall marking and product character you want on the car.

For a 1948 Peugeot running 155R15 tires, the Firestone F560 Radial is listed as 155R15 with a maximum load of 1045 pounds at 44 psi and a rim width range of 4.00 to 5.50 inches. The Michelin XAS is listed as 155HR15 82H TT, also for 15-inch rims, with a 4.00 to 5.50 inch rim width range. Both are blackwall radials, but the Michelin XAS is specifically marked as tube-type and H-rated, while the Firestone listing uses a plain 155R15 format without a higher speed letter in the size string.

That means the difference is not just brand identity. A Peugeot owner comparing these two should pay attention to whether the wheel and setup call for a tube-type tire, and whether the intended driving profile favors one speed-rating marking over another. Because both fit the same 15-inch diameter and published rim width range, the selection comes down to those product-specific characteristics rather than a broad difference in nominal size.

For 1948 Peugeot vehicles using 155R15 tires, the published rim width range is 4.00 to 5.50 inches on the products that specify it. That range appears on the Firestone F560 Radial and on Michelin XAS and XAS-FF versions in the same size. The 155-400 fitment does not need to share that exact rule just because the section width looks similar, since it belongs to a different wheel-diameter standard altogether.

The key takeaway is to match the tire to both the wheel diameter and the wheel width already on your Peugeot 203. A 15-inch wheel that falls inside the stated width range is the proper starting point for the 155R15 products listed here. If your car still carries metric 400mm wheels, stay with the metric size path and verify the actual wheel dimensions before treating 15-inch product specs as interchangeable.

1948 Peugeot tire tube requirements depend on the specific product, especially in 155R15. Michelin X is marked 82T TL, which indicates tubeless construction, Michelin XAS is marked 82H TT for tube-type use, and Michelin XAS-FF is marked 82H TL as tubeless. Firestone F560 Radial is listed simply as 155R15 without a TT or TL marker in the size string shown here. That makes tube status something to confirm product by product, not a blanket rule for every 155R15 tire.

For a Peugeot 203, the wheel itself matters just as much as the tire marking. Older wheels, wheel condition, and the way the car is currently set up may still influence whether a tube is appropriate even when a tire is sold in tubeless form. Before installation, compare the tire’s sidewall designation with the wheel design you have and follow the product’s intended tube or tubeless use rather than assuming all 15-inch radials behave the same way.

A stored 1948 Peugeot should be kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, heaters, and other ozone-producing sources that accelerate sidewall aging. Clean, dry concrete is better than damp ground, and the car benefits from being moved periodically so one portion of the tread is not left carrying the same load for months at a time. Radial tires generally tolerate static storage better than old-style bias-ply tires, but they still age from heat, ozone, and prolonged underinflation.

For a Peugeot 203 that sees occasional use, proper storage preserves both appearance and ride quality. If the car will sit for an extended season, maintain inflation, roll it occasionally, or support it in a way that reduces long-term stress on the contact patch while keeping the suspension appropriately considered. A breathable indoor space is better than a sealed damp cover, and the spare should be stored with the same care as the four road tires.

Tires on a 1948 Peugeot should be evaluated by age as much as by tread depth, because collector cars often accumulate very little mileage. A good rule is to inspect them carefully once they reach the five-to-seven-year window and to consider replacement around ten years regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age, and visible cracking, hardening, or repeated air-loss shortens the safe service life even further.

That age-first approach matters on a Peugeot 203 because a lightly driven classic can appear fine at a glance while the rubber is already past its best years. Owners sometimes focus on miles driven since restoration, but time, storage conditions, and inflation history are usually more revealing than odometer use. If you are unsure how old the tires are, start there before planning tours or long highway days.

Tires on a 1948 Peugeot deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more thorough look before any longer outing. Check for sidewall cracking, tread damage, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and air pressure loss. On products marked tube-type, include the valve stem and the wheel-to-tube setup in the inspection routine, since leaks or age issues may not show up as obvious tread wear.

A Peugeot 203 is light and modestly powered, but that does not reduce the importance of tire condition. Small classics communicate through the steering and chassis, so a tire beginning to fail often shows itself through vibration, pull, or changing feel before a serious problem appears. Catching those signs early is far easier than diagnosing them after a long drive has turned a minor issue into a roadside repair.

The 1948 Peugeot 203 belongs to an era when European manufacturers were moving into radial technology, and the sizes shown here are both radial rather than bias-ply. The presence of 155-400 points strongly toward the car’s original metric-wheel tradition, while 155R15 reflects a 15-inch radial fitment commonly associated with cars that are running inch-based wheels. Original-equipment branding should be confirmed through Peugeot literature or marque specialists rather than assumed from modern reproduction offerings.

For restoration work, that means the first authenticity question is whether your Peugeot 203 still carries its intended metric wheel arrangement. If it does, the metric radial path is the closer historical fit. If the car has been converted to 15-inch wheels at some point in its life, 155R15 may still be the practical answer, but a show-focused owner should verify market-specific and wheel-specific expectations with a Peugeot club or period reference before finalizing the car.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1948 Peugeot because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size, wheel standard, construction type, and sidewall appearance suit the period. On a Peugeot 203, the biggest authenticity issue is often whether the car is wearing its proper metric-wheel tire size or a later 15-inch alternative. A clean blackwall radial generally fits the visual language of a late-1940s French sedan better than a more decorative sidewall style would.

For local shows, a well-presented 15-inch radial setup may be perfectly acceptable, especially on a driver-oriented car. For higher-level preservation or marque judging, the wheel diameter and size format can become much more important because they signal whether the car reflects its original French specification. Event standards vary, so serious show cars should be checked against Peugeot-club guidance and the judging rules for the specific event rather than a generic restoration standard.

For a 1948 Peugeot using 155R15, the Michelin X is listed as 155R15 82T TL, while the Michelin XAS-FF is listed as 155HR15 82H TL. Both are blackwall radials for 15-inch rims, but the sidewall markings show a difference in speed rating: T corresponds to 118 mph, while H corresponds to 130 mph. Michelin XAS-FF also carries a published rim width range of 4.00 to 5.50 inches, matching other 155R15 products that specify wheel width.

That makes the choice partly about the character of the tire, not just the nominal size. A Peugeot 203 owner comparing these two will want to consider the exact sidewall marking desired, the wheel width on the car, and whether keeping a more classic Michelin presentation matters to the restoration plan. Since both are tubeless in the markings shown, the distinction is more about specification and product family than about basic tube requirement.

1948 Peugeot tires can be appropriate for highway driving when they are in good condition, correctly fitted to the wheel, and used within the speed capability shown on the tire. Within the 155R15 range, T-rated products carry a 118 mph ceiling and H-rated products carry a 130 mph ceiling. Those ratings are comfortably above normal U.S. highway speeds, and on a postwar Peugeot 203 the vehicle’s own braking, suspension, and overall mechanical condition are usually the more immediate limits in real-world touring.

The practical safety question is less about chasing a high number and more about matching the proper tire to the proper wheel, then making sure the entire car is ready for sustained running. A fresh, correctly inflated radial on sound wheels is only one part of the equation. Before highway use, treat tires, brakes, steering, cooling, and wheel bearings as a package, because a 1948 Peugeot asks for balanced mechanical preparation rather than just modern-looking rubber.

Inflation pressure for 1948 Peugeot tires should follow the tire manufacturer’s rated limits and the vehicle’s original recommendations rather than borrowing a number from another size. One 155R15 product here, the Firestone F560 Radial, lists a maximum load of 1045 pounds at 44 psi. That is a rated maximum tied to that specific tire, not a universal running pressure for every 155R15 or 155-400 option on a Peugeot 203.

For day-to-day use, start with the Peugeot guidance for the car and then confirm it aligns with the tire you actually have mounted. If you change from a metric-wheel setup to a 15-inch radial, or from one product family to another, revisit the inflation choice rather than assuming the old setting still applies. Pressures should always be checked cold, and uneven wear or harsh ride can signal that adjustment is needed.

Before a longer trip in a 1948 Peugeot, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, uneven wear, and proper cold pressure. Confirm that the spare is usable, not just present, and examine the valve stems closely. If your chosen 155R15 product is tube-type, pay extra attention to air retention and stem condition because tube-related issues can appear even when tread still looks healthy. Wheel fastener security and general wheel condition also deserve a quick review.

A Peugeot 203 rewards thoughtful preparation because it was built for practical road use in its day, but any car of this age benefits from a complete pre-trip routine. Once the tires are checked, continue with brakes, lights, fluids, cooling, and steering play so the whole car is ready for sustained driving. That approach makes tire choice part of a broader reliability plan instead of treating the rubber as an isolated concern.