1958 Mercedes-Benz Tire Fitment Guide

1958 Mercedes-Benz vehicles use a wide spread of sizes depending on model. The 180 uses 640-13 and 700-13, the 190 uses 185R13 and 700-13, the 219 uses 175R13 and 640-13, the 220 uses 175R13 and 6.70-13, the 280 uses 195R14 and 735-14, and the 300 uses 760-15, 670-15, and 6.50-15. The listed rim diameters therefore span 13, 14, and 15 inches across the make.

That range means a 1958 Mercedes-Benz owner should identify the exact model before going any further. On some cars the next decision is bias-ply versus radial on the same wheel diameter, while on others the diameter itself separates the correct choices. Where current product listings include rim width ranges, those should be checked against the actual wheel before ordering, especially on the 13-inch and 15-inch applications where more than one size family appears.

On a 1958 Mercedes-Benz, 640-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 6.40 figure is the nominal section width in inches, and the 13 is the rim diameter in inches. Within this year and make, 640-13 is used on the 180 and 219, and the currently listed example is a bias-ply BFGoodrich wide whitewall sized for 13-inch wheels with a 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim width range.

That makes 640-13 a period-style fitment rather than a modern metric radial code. If your car is a 180 or 219 and you are trying to preserve the visual character of a late-1950s sedan, this type of size keeps you in the traditional numeric bias-ply family. The key is to confirm that the wheels on the car still match the original diameter and fall within the listed rim width range.

On a 1958 Mercedes-Benz, 185R13 is a Euro-metric radial size. The 185 is the section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. Because no aspect ratio is written into the size, this format is conventionally treated as an 80-series radial. In this year-and-make range, 185R13 is associated with the 190.

That code reads very differently from a bias-ply size like 700-13 even though both mount on 13-inch wheels. For a 190 owner, the practical takeaway is that wheel diameter alone does not tell the whole story; the size family and construction type matter too. If the car has been restored, verify whether you want to stay with the radial metric fitment already on the car or return to the numeric bias-ply appearance.

For a 1958 Mercedes-Benz 190, both 700-13 and 185R13 appear as listed sizes, but they represent two different tire families. The 700-13 is a bias-ply size with a traditional late-1950s look, while the 185R13 is a radial metric size. The currently listed 185R13 product is a Michelin blackwall tubeless radial with an H speed rating, while the listed 700-13 product is a Firestone wide whitewall bias-ply.

The real decision is less about wheel diameter than about the personality you want the car to have. A bias-ply keeps the visual and driving character closer to period presentation, while a radial follows a more modern construction layout for regular road use. If the car will be judged, shown, or restored to a specific market presentation, confirm which size family matches that goal before selecting a tire.

Sidewall choices for 1958 Mercedes-Benz tires vary by size. The listed 13-inch bias-ply options include wide whitewalls in 640-13 and 700-13, while the listed 185R13 radial is a blackwall. In 14-inch fitment, 735-14 appears in both blackwall and narrow whitewall. For the 300's 15-inch sizes, 760-15 is available in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall, while 670-15 appears in blackwall and wide whitewall.

That variety matters because sidewall style changes the visual balance of the car as much as the construction choice does. On a late-1950s Mercedes, whitewall width can strongly influence whether the finished look feels understated and European or more in line with period U.S.-market taste. If restoration accuracy is important, compare the sidewall treatment on the car today with period photos, sales literature, or marque-club guidance for your exact model and market.

Several brands appear in current 1958 Mercedes-Benz fitments. BFGoodrich is offered in 640-13, 735-14, and 760-15; Firestone appears in 700-13 and 670-15; Michelin appears in 185R13; Coker Classic appears in 760-15 and 670-15; Universal Vintage Tire appears in 760-15 and 670-15; and US Royal appears in 670-15. Brand availability changes by size rather than by year and make as a whole.

That means the correct way to narrow the field is to choose the right size first, then compare brands within that size. Some sizes have only one listed brand, while others, especially 670-15 and 760-15, offer multiple brand and sidewall combinations. If appearance matters as much as fitment, compare both the brand family and the available whitewall or blackwall treatment instead of assuming every size has the same options.

Rim width requirements for 1958 Mercedes-Benz tires depend on the size. The listed 640-13 fits 4.00 to 4.50 inch rims, 700-13 fits 4.00 to 5.00 inch rims, 735-14 fits 5.00 to 5.50 inch rims, 760-15 fits 5.50 to 6.00 inch rims where specified, and 670-15 ranges from 4.50 to 6.00 inches depending on the product. Those ranges are tied to the individual tire size and, in some cases, to the specific product within that size.

That is why wheel measurement matters before choosing among multiple products. Two tires with the same nominal size can still call for different approved rim width ranges, especially in the 670-15 offerings where one product starts at 4.50 inches and another starts at 5.00 inches. Measure the actual wheel, not just the tire currently mounted, if there is any doubt about what your car is wearing now.

Tube fitment on 1958 Mercedes-Benz tires depends on the specific size and product. The listed 185R13 Michelin radial is marked TL, meaning tubeless. The bias-ply products shown in 640-13, 700-13, 735-14, 760-15, and 670-15 are not marked TL in the size field, so they should not be assumed to share the same tubeless status as the radial. Tube requirements should be checked against the exact tire and wheel combination being used.

The wheel itself is part of that decision, especially on older cars where original rims, replacement rims, and previous restorations may not all match. If your car has older wheels, riveted construction, or wheel condition concerns, confirm the setup with the tire manufacturer or a marque specialist before mounting. When tubes are part of the plan, include the valve stem and the spare in the same inspection rather than focusing only on the four road tires.

Original 1958 Mercedes-Benz wheels cannot be treated as interchangeable across the whole make because the listed tire diameters span 13, 14, and 15 inches depending on model. A 13-inch Ponton sedan wheel will not accept a 14-inch or 15-inch tire, and the 300's 15-inch fitments are in a different diameter family from the 180, 190, 219, 220, and 280. Even within the same diameter, approved rim width ranges vary by size and sometimes by product.

The practical approach is to confirm the wheel diameter first, then compare the wheel width against the approved range for the tire you want. On models with both radial and bias-ply options in the same diameter, wheel diameter compatibility alone does not finish the job. It simply tells you the tire can mount; the wheel width and the restoration goal still decide whether a given product is the right one.

A stored 1958 Mercedes-Benz should be kept out of direct sunlight, away from electric motors and ozone-producing equipment, and in a clean, dry space with stable temperature if possible. Tire pressures should be maintained even during storage, and the car should either be moved periodically or supported in a way that reduces long-term static loading. Bias-ply tires tend to flat-spot more readily during long stationary periods than radials, which matters on much of the 1958 Mercedes-Benz range.

Good storage habits preserve both appearance and drivability. If the car sits for months, a brief warm-up drive can help reveal whether flat-spotting clears normally or whether the tires have aged beyond comfortable service. Whitewalls also benefit from being kept clean and out of prolonged UV exposure, since cosmetic deterioration often appears before tread wear becomes the deciding factor on collector-car tires.

Tires on a 1958 Mercedes-Benz should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. On collector vehicles, a professional evaluation around the five- to seven-year mark is a sensible habit, and replacement becomes a serious consideration as tires approach about ten years from the DOT date code, even if the tread still looks usable. That guideline applies whether the tire is a bias-ply show-oriented fitment or a radial used for regular touring.

Low annual mileage can create a false sense of security because sidewall aging, internal degradation, and long periods of sitting do not show up on the odometer. A tire that looks fine in the garage may still be overdue by age. If you recently acquired the car and the age of the tires is unclear, the DOT date code and a close inspection are better guides than tread depth alone.

Tires on a 1958 Mercedes-Benz should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for cracking in the sidewalls, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, uneven tread wear, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure. Because some 1958 Mercedes-Benz fitments are older-style bias-ply applications and some cars may use tube-type setups, valve stems and any tube-related hardware deserve attention as part of the inspection.

Frequent inspection is especially important on a collector car that may sit for weeks between drives. Problems often show up from age, storage, or pressure loss rather than from hard use. A quick walkaround and pressure check takes little time, and it is one of the easiest ways to avoid turning a pleasant short drive in a vintage Mercedes into a preventable roadside problem.

A 1958 Mercedes-Benz 180 belongs to an era when bias-ply construction was still the expected factory fitment on mainstream passenger cars. Within the listed sizes for this model, both 640-13 and 700-13 are bias-ply 13-inch fitments, which aligns with that period practice. No original-equipment brand should be assumed from current reproduction offerings alone, since present-day replacement brands are reproducing period-style sizes rather than proving what left the factory on a specific car.

For a restoration, the key question is not only the size but also the sidewall treatment and the exact market presentation you are trying to match. European-delivery and export-market cars were not always dressed the same way. If show-level correctness matters, use period photographs, factory literature, and Mercedes marque-club guidance to confirm whether your car should wear a blackwall or a whitewall within the correct size family.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1958 Mercedes-Benz, especially on cars judged for authenticity. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size family, construction type, sidewall style, and overall proportion. A radial metric tire on a car restored to strict late-1950s delivery appearance may draw attention just as quickly as an overly modern sidewall treatment, even if the tire physically fits the wheel and clears the body.

That does not mean every owner has to chase the same standard. Touring cars, preservation drivers, and concours restorations can reasonably make different choices. The important part is deciding your goal before selecting tires. If the car will be judged, check event rules and marque-specific guidance ahead of time, because standards for acceptable reproduction tires and sidewall treatments can vary between clubs and venues.

For a 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 using 760-15 tires, both BFGoodrich and Coker Classic appear in current bias-ply offerings. BFGoodrich is shown in both a 3.375-inch wide whitewall and a 1.00-inch narrow whitewall, while Coker Classic is listed with a 3.00-inch wide whitewall. Where specified, both share a 5.50 to 6.00 inch rim width range, and qualifying BFGoodrich and Coker Classic products list the same 1710-pound maximum load at 32 psi.

The main difference is therefore presentation rather than a dramatic change in the basic fitment envelope. A restorer choosing between them will usually be deciding which whitewall width better matches the car's intended look. On a formal 300, that visual choice can significantly affect the finished character of the car, so compare the sidewall treatment to period photos before making the final call.

1958 Mercedes-Benz tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, in good condition, properly inflated, and used within their construction and speed limits. The listed 185R13 Michelin radial carries an H speed rating, which corresponds to 130 mph. The listed bias-ply products do not show speed ratings in the same way here, so they should be treated according to the tire maker's guidance and the realities of vintage-car operation rather than modern freeway assumptions.

On a 1958 Mercedes-Benz, the broader safety picture usually extends beyond the tire itself. Braking performance, steering condition, suspension wear, and the age of every rubber component matter as much as raw tire capability. For normal touring, a well-sorted car on fresh, correctly fitted tires is the goal. The wise approach is to match road speed to the car's overall condition, not simply to the most optimistic number associated with one tire.

Inflation pressure on 1958 Mercedes-Benz tires should follow the vehicle maker's guidance for the exact model and size, while also respecting the tire's own rated limits. Several listed bias-ply products show load ratings at 32 psi, including 640-13 at 1045 pounds, 700-13 at 1270 pounds, 735-14 at 1360 pounds, 760-15 at 1710 pounds, and 670-15 between 1450 and 1550 pounds depending on product. Those figures are rated maximum load references, not a universal instruction to inflate every 1958 Mercedes-Benz tire to the same pressure.

That distinction matters because tire size, vehicle weight distribution, and intended use all influence actual operating pressure. Start with the factory recommendation for the specific car when available, then make sure the tire selected is appropriate for that application. If you are changing from a bias-ply size family to a radial one on the same model, confirm pressure guidance with the tire manufacturer instead of transferring settings from the old tire by habit.

Before a longer drive in a 1958 Mercedes-Benz, inspect each tire for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and proper pressure. Check the age of the tires if that is uncertain, and do not forget the spare. If the car uses an older-style tube setup, the valve stems deserve close attention. A long drive also calls for a look at wheel fasteners, brake condition, steering response, and fluid levels, because tire readiness is only one part of vintage-car roadworthiness.

A collector Mercedes often spends more time parked than driven, which means storage-related issues can surface just when the car is asked to cover distance. Taking a few extra minutes before departure can reveal a slow leak, a cracked sidewall, or a deteriorated spare before they become a trip-ending problem. The calmer and more methodical the pre-drive inspection, the better the experience tends to be once the miles begin to add up.