1950 Mercedes-Benz Tire Fitment Guide

Three tire sizes fit 1950 Mercedes-Benz vehicles covered here: 550-16, 175R15, and 640-15. All three are associated with the 1950 Mercedes-Benz 170, but they do not share the same wheel diameter. The 550-16 size mounts on a 16-inch rim, while 175R15 and 640-15 mount on 15-inch rims. Published rim width ranges appear on some products, including 3.25 to 4.00 inches for certain 550-16 tires and 4.00 to 5.00 inches across listed 640-15 tires, depending on the brand and version.

That means the first step is not choosing a sidewall style or brand, but checking the wheel already on the car. A 15-inch tire cannot replace a 16-inch tire, and a 16-inch tire cannot be stretched onto a 15-inch wheel. Once the rim diameter is confirmed, the choice becomes much easier: 550-16 stays in the 16-inch bias-ply lane, while 175R15 and 640-15 let a 15-inch car owner choose between radial and bias-ply construction.

On a 1950 Mercedes-Benz tire, 550-16 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.50 designation is the traditional nominal section width format used on period tires, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. In the products available for this fitment, 550-16 appears as a bias-ply tire only, with blackwall and wide whitewall options and listed rim width guidance of 3.25 to 4.00 inches on certain versions.

This size matters because it points to a 16-inch wheel setup, which immediately separates it from the two 15-inch alternatives used on the 1950 Mercedes-Benz 170. Owners restoring a car to a distinctly period feel often stay with this numeric bias-ply type, especially when they want the steering response and stance associated with crossply construction. Before choosing among brands, verify the actual wheel diameter and compare the tire’s recommended rim width against the wheel on the car.

On a 1950 Mercedes-Benz tire, 175R15 is a Euro-metric radial size. The 175 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R means radial construction, and the 15 is the rim diameter in inches. Because no aspect ratio is stated in the size itself, it follows the older Euro-metric convention rather than a later modern format like 175/70R15 or 175/80R15 printed in full.

For a 1950 Mercedes-Benz 170 owner, that code signals a different type of driving experience from the numeric bias-ply sizes. It still fits a 15-inch wheel, but it points toward a radial-casing tire rather than a traditional crossply. If your car already wears 15-inch wheels and you want to explore the radial path, this is the size to compare against 640-15. The wheel diameter must match first; only then does the construction decision come into play.

For a 1950 Mercedes-Benz running 15-inch wheels, the choice between 175R15 and 640-15 is mainly a construction decision. The 175R15 is a radial size, while the 640-15 is a numeric bias-ply size. That means the 175R15 follows a more modern radial layout, and the 640-15 stays with the period-style crossply design that would look and feel more in step with the car’s original era.

Owners aiming for a more authentic mid-century presentation often gravitate to 640-15, especially when the sidewall look matters as much as the fitment. Owners who plan to drive their 1950 Mercedes-Benz more regularly may prefer to evaluate the 175R15 radial route once wheel diameter is confirmed. Neither choice should be made by size code alone; verify that the car is actually on 15-inch wheels, then decide whether originality or radial behavior is your higher priority.

1950 Mercedes-Benz tires in these sizes are available in several sidewall styles, but the selection depends on the size. The 550-16 size is offered in blackwall and wide whitewall form, while the 640-15 size appears in wide whitewall and narrow whitewall versions. That gives the 1950 Mercedes-Benz 170 owner a wider visual range in the bias-ply sizes than many postwar fitments offer.

Sidewall style is partly about taste and partly about authenticity. A restrained blackwall often suits European postwar presentation, while whitewall choices create a more stylized period look that some restorations and personalized builds may favor. The important thing is to choose the sidewall style after the wheel diameter and tire construction have been settled. A whitewall that looks right but fits the wrong wheel is still the wrong tire for the car.

Several brands cover 1950 Mercedes-Benz fitments in the sizes shown here. The 550-16 size is available from Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone, while the 640-15 size is available from BFGoodrich and Firestone. Those offerings give the 1950 Mercedes-Benz 170 owner a mix of traditional American collector-tire names and a well-known European brand presence in the 16-inch bias-ply size.

Brand choice should come after the larger fitment questions are settled. Start by confirming whether your 1950 Mercedes-Benz uses 15-inch or 16-inch wheels, then decide whether you want bias-ply or radial construction where that choice exists. Once those two points are settled, the remaining comparison becomes more straightforward: sidewall style, load listing where provided, and the visual character you want the finished car to present.

Rim width guidance is available for some 1950 Mercedes-Benz tire sizes and should be checked size by size. Listed 550-16 products include fitments for 3.25 to 4.00 inch rims. Listed 640-15 products span 4.00 to 4.50 inches on one version and 4.50 to 5.00 inches on others, depending on the brand. That means 640-15 is not one universal rim-width answer even though the size code is the same.

The practical takeaway is to inspect or measure the wheel before committing to a particular tire version. Two tires with the same nominal size can still carry different approved rim-width ranges. That matters for bead seating, sidewall shape, and overall setup quality. If your 1950 Mercedes-Benz still wears older wheels, compare the wheel width against the specific tire you are considering rather than assuming every reproduction in the same size works the same way.

Inner-tube requirements on 1950 Mercedes-Benz tires should be confirmed on the exact product because tube markings are not uniform across the sizes listed here. The available size descriptions do not consistently identify every product as tube-type or tubeless, so tube use should be treated as a product-specific and wheel-specific setup detail rather than assumed from the size code alone. That is especially important on postwar cars that may still run original-style rims.

The safest approach is to inspect the wheel design and match it to the sidewall marking on the tire you plan to use. Older wheels with rivets, rough bead seats, or tube-era construction may still call for a tube even when a modern buyer expects otherwise. On a 1950 Mercedes-Benz, tube choice is part of the total installation plan, along with valve stems, flap needs where applicable, and the condition of the wheel itself.

A 1950 Mercedes-Benz should be stored away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber prematurely. Keep the floor area dry, maintain normal inflation, and move the car periodically so one section of each tire is not carrying the load for months at a time. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to temporary flat-spotting during long static storage, while any older-style collector tire can suffer from environmental cracking if storage conditions are poor.

If the car will sit for an extended season, rolling it occasionally or supporting it appropriately can reduce stress on the casings. Storage habits matter just as much as annual mileage on a collector-driven 1950 Mercedes-Benz, because age and environment usually affect these tires before tread wear does. A clean, cool garage and regular movement do more for tire life than simply leaving the car parked and covered for months on end.

Tires on a 1950 Mercedes-Benz are usually judged by age and condition more than by mileage. A collector car can wear very little tread while still reaching the point where the rubber should be carefully evaluated, often around five to seven years, with replacement becoming a serious consideration as tires approach ten years from their manufacturing date. The DOT date code on the sidewall is the starting point for that timeline, even on a lightly used car.

That age-based approach matters because a postwar Mercedes may spend long periods parked, and storage conditions can harden or crack the rubber long before the tread is used up. A tire that still looks deep in tread but has aging sidewalls is not automatically a good touring tire. When planning longer use, judge the tire by age, visible condition, and service history together rather than by appearance alone.

Tires on a 1950 Mercedes-Benz should be inspected before every drive and given a more careful once-over before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure between drives. Valve stems deserve close attention as well, and if your installation uses tubes, the overall air-retention behavior of the tire becomes an especially important clue during routine checks.

Frequent inspection is a smart habit because a collector car may sit for weeks and then be asked to run at sustained road speed. Problems often show up visually before they become dramatic failures. A one-minute walkaround before driving your 1950 Mercedes-Benz can catch weathering, low pressure, or a damaged sidewall early enough to change plans before the trip starts, which is far easier than dealing with a roadside issue on an older car.

A 1950 Mercedes-Benz 170 would have been a period vehicle from the early postwar era, so bias-ply construction is the historically appropriate starting point when thinking about original-style tire fitment. Among the sizes associated with the model here, both 550-16 and 640-15 are bias-ply sizes, while 175R15 is the radial alternative. That means a restorer pursuing an era-correct look will usually begin by confirming which wheel diameter the car carries, then selecting the corresponding bias-ply size.

Original-delivery details on European cars can vary by market, body style, and wheel equipment, so authenticity work is best handled in layers. First confirm the wheel diameter on the car, then align the construction type and sidewall appearance with the restoration goal. For final concours-level accuracy on a 1950 Mercedes-Benz 170, marque clubs, factory literature, and period photos remain the best way to verify market-specific details before the tire choice is finalized.

Correct tire fitment does matter when showing a 1950 Mercedes-Benz, especially in events that place value on period presentation. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the tire size matches the wheel, whether the construction type suits the era, and whether the sidewall appearance feels appropriate to the vehicle’s original character. On a postwar Mercedes, a modern-looking fitment can stand out quickly against an otherwise carefully restored car.

That does not mean every show car must use the same visual treatment, but it does mean the tire should support the restoration story you are telling. A radial on a 15-inch wheel may be fine for a driver-focused presentation, while a bias-ply in the correct diameter may better suit originality-minded judging. If your 1950 Mercedes-Benz is headed for marque-specific competition, compare your planned tire with that club’s written standards before mounting a full set.

For the 1950 Mercedes-Benz in 640-15, BFGoodrich and Firestone share the same basic bias-ply size but differ in sidewall presentation, rim-width guidance, and some listed load figures. The BFGoodrich version shown is a wide whitewall with a 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim-width range and a listed load of 1190 pounds at 32 psi. Firestone offers wide whitewall and narrow whitewall versions, with listed rim-width ranges of 4.50 to 5.00 inches and load figures of either 1190 pounds at 32 psi or 970 pounds at 32 psi depending on the specific tire.

Those differences matter if you are matching a particular wheel width or trying to achieve a certain period look. A wider or narrower whitewall can change the visual balance of a 1950 Mercedes-Benz substantially, even when the size code stays the same. Compare the wheel width on the car, the sidewall style you want, and the exact load listing on the product you are considering rather than assuming every 640-15 tire is interchangeable in all respects.

1950 Mercedes-Benz tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size for the wheel, properly inflated, in sound condition, and used within the limits printed on the specific tire. The fitments shown here include both bias-ply and radial construction, so the road feel and tracking behavior can differ depending on which setup the car wears. On a 1950 Mercedes-Benz 170, the tire’s capability is only one part of the equation, because the car’s braking, suspension, steering, and general mechanical condition are just as important on modern roads.

Highway use should be approached as a full-vehicle readiness question, not a tire-only question. A fresh set of properly fitted tires will not compensate for worn steering parts, weak shocks, or neglected brakes. Before taking a 1950 Mercedes-Benz out for sustained road speeds, confirm the tire age and condition, verify pressures, and make sure the rest of the chassis is ready for the same kind of use you expect from the tires.

Inflation pressure on 1950 Mercedes-Benz tires should be chosen by matching the vehicle’s factory guidance with the specific tire’s published load-and-pressure rating. Among the listed products, several 640-15 and 550-16 tires show rated figures at 32 psi, including 840 pounds at 32 psi on one 550-16, 970 pounds at 32 psi on one 640-15, and 1190 pounds at 32 psi on other 640-15 versions. Those numbers describe the tire’s capacity at that pressure; they are not automatically the car’s universal running pressure.

Use the owner’s manual or marque reference for the vehicle’s recommended front and rear pressures, then compare that guidance with the specifications of the exact tire you are using. Avoid borrowing a pressure number from one size and applying it to another simply because both fit the same model. On a 1950 Mercedes-Benz, the right pressure depends on the installed tire size, the construction type, and the actual load the car is carrying.

Before a longer drive in a 1950 Mercedes-Benz, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and proper inflation, then check the valve stems and the spare. If the car is running a tube-type style setup, pay attention to slow air loss and stem condition as part of the pre-drive routine. Also make sure the wheel hardware is secure and the tread is free from embedded debris that could worsen once the car is at speed.

A longer outing in a postwar Mercedes calls for a broader mechanical check as well. Tires are only one system in the chain, so it makes sense to combine the tire inspection with checks of brakes, fluids, steering response, and lighting before departure. That kind of routine is especially worthwhile on a 1950 Mercedes-Benz because the car may be driven infrequently, and problems that were not obvious in the garage can appear quickly once the trip begins.