1962 Citroen Tire Fitment Guide

1962 Citroen vehicles use four distinct tire sizes across five model families. The AMI uses 135R15 on a 15-inch wheel. The AZ and CV use 125-380 or 135-380 on 380 mm wheels, while the DS and ID use 165-400 on 400 mm wheels. Rim width guidance is available for the 135R15 size at 3.50 to 4.50 inches, and that size should stay tied to the AMI rather than being treated as a substitute for the metric-diameter Citroen applications.

The practical takeaway is that year and make alone are not enough for a 1962 Citroen. You need the exact model first, then the wheel diameter, because a 15-inch AMI wheel and a 380 mm or 400 mm Citroen wheel are not interchangeable fitments. Once that foundation is confirmed, you can move to the model page or size page with much more confidence.

On a 1962 Citroen, 135R15 is a euro-metric radial size. The 135 refers to a nominal section width of 135 millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. When no aspect ratio is printed in this style of older metric size, it is conventionally treated as an 80-series radial format.

That matters because 135R15 belongs to the 1962 Citroen AMI and mounts on a true 15-inch wheel. It is not the same thing as the 125-380 or 135-380 sizes used on AZ and CV models, and it is not interchangeable with the 165-400 used on DS and ID models. Reading the code correctly prevents expensive confusion between inch-based and metric-diameter wheel systems.

No, 1962 Citroen models do not use the same tire size. The AMI uses 135R15, the AZ and CV use either 125-380 or 135-380, and the DS and ID use 165-400. All four sizes are radial, but they are spread across different wheel diameters and different vehicle families within the 1962 Citroen range.

That means a buyer who only knows the year and make still has one more important step before choosing a tire: identify the model. On a 1962 Citroen, model identification is not just a styling detail or restoration preference. It directly determines whether you need a 15-inch wheel tire, a 380 mm tire, or a 400 mm tire.

For the 1962 Citroen fitments that currently have product coverage here, 135R15 is available in blackwall form. That suits the restrained, practical European look that many small and mid-century Citroen restorations aim to preserve, especially on an AMI where a plain blackwall appearance often looks more natural than a decorative whitewall treatment.

Sidewall style still deserves a second look before you choose, because appearance can change the whole character of a restoration even when the size is correct. If your goal is a factory-minded presentation, keep the era, market, and trim level in mind and compare that against the tire's actual sidewall marking and visual profile before making the final call.

Michelin and Firestone both offer tires for the 1962 Citroen AMI in 135R15. Michelin appears with the X M+S 89 and ZX lines, while Firestone offers the F560 Radial in the same size. All of those AMI choices are radial tires, which aligns with Citroen's long association with radial tire use in the mid-century period.

Brand choice on a 1962 Citroen usually comes down to how closely you want the tire to reflect period European character versus the specific construction details and markings of a modern reproduction or replacement-style radial. Once the size is confirmed, compare the brand, speed symbol, and sidewall presentation together rather than choosing on name alone.

For a 1962 Citroen AMI in 135R15, Michelin ZX and Firestone F560 Radial share the same basic radial construction and blackwall appearance, but their published details differ. Michelin ZX carries a 135SR15 72S marking, which corresponds to an S speed rating up to 112 mph, and fits a 3.50 to 4.50 inch rim. Firestone F560 Radial is also a 135R15 radial blackwall, fits a 3.50 to 4.50 inch rim, and carries a published maximum load of 780 pounds at 44 psi.

That means the decision is less about broad fitment and more about the exact specification set you want on the car. Some owners will care most about the sidewall branding and period character, while others will compare the published load and speed information first. Checking the full sidewall marking is the best way to separate two tires that otherwise occupy the same AMI fitment category.

Rim width guidance is available for the 1962 Citroen AMI's 135R15 size at 3.50 to 4.50 inches. That applies to both Michelin ZX and Firestone F560 Radial in this fitment, which gives AMI owners a clear working range when evaluating original wheels. The other 1962 Citroen sizes here use metric-diameter wheels, but no separate rim width figure appears alongside those applications.

For an AMI, the safest approach is to confirm the wheel width before selecting a 135R15 product, especially if the car has replacement wheels or a long restoration history. For AZ, CV, DS, and ID models, wheel diameter becomes the first checkpoint because 380 mm and 400 mm Citroen wheels are more specialized than a common 15-inch application.

Tube requirements for 1962 Citroen tires depend on the exact product. In the 135R15 AMI fitment, both Michelin choices are marked TL, which indicates tubeless construction, while the Firestone 135R15 entry does not carry the same tube marking in its size description. That makes 135R15 a category where tube status can vary by product presentation and should be confirmed on the individual tire before installation.

The wheel itself also matters, especially on older European applications. Even when a tire is built as tubeless, the wheel condition and wheel design still have to support tubeless use. If your 1962 Citroen retains original wheels, a careful conversation with the installer about wheel sealing, valve stems, and whether a tube is appropriate is worth having before the tire goes on the rim.

A 1962 Citroen should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age sidewalls. Keep the tires properly inflated, avoid parking long-term on damp ground, and move the car periodically so the same contact patch is not carrying the load month after month.

Collector Citroens often spend more time parked than driven, so storage conditions affect tire life almost as much as road use. If the car will sit for an extended period, some owners use stands to reduce sustained loading while keeping suspension considerations in mind. A breathable indoor cover and a clean floor do more for tire preservation than frequent cosmetic dressing.

On a 1962 Citroen, tire age usually matters more than mileage because many surviving cars are driven lightly. A sensible rule is to inspect tires closely once they reach about five to seven years of age and to treat roughly ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration, even if tread depth still looks acceptable. The DOT date code on the tire remains the best quick reference for age.

That timeline is especially important on collector cars that may appear healthy at a glance but spend long stretches parked. A lightly used AMI, AZ, CV, DS, or ID can still develop age cracking, internal deterioration, or hardening rubber. If the tires came with the car and their age is uncertain, checking the date code should be one of the first steps in any recommissioning plan.

Tires on a 1962 Citroen should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and signs that a tire is losing pressure between uses. Older cars with specialized wheel systems benefit from close visual checks because a problem that develops in storage may not be obvious until the car is moving.

Longer trips justify a more deliberate inspection that includes the spare, valve stems, and overall wheel condition. Pay attention to how the car feels in the first few miles as well, since vibration, pull, or unusual ride behavior can be an early clue that a tire needs attention. A short pre-drive walkaround is cheap insurance on a 1962 Citroen.

The 1962 Citroen AMI belongs to a period when Citroen was strongly associated with radial tire use, and the fitment here reflects that with 135R15 radial sizing. Michelin and Firestone both offer radial choices in that size for the AMI. For AZ, CV, DS, and ID models, the correct original-style direction also remains radial, but with the model-specific metric wheel diameters that Citroen used on those applications.

Original-equipment details can still vary by market, running changes, and regional delivery history, so a serious restoration should compare the car against period manuals, surviving wheel markings, and marque-club knowledge before the final decision. The key point is that a 1962 Citroen restoration should start from the correct model-specific size and radial construction, not from a generic vintage tire assumption.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1962 Citroen. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the car is wearing the right size, the right wheel diameter format, the right construction type for the period, and a sidewall style that suits the era. On a Citroen, the difference between 15-inch and metric-diameter wheels is especially visible and can be a meaningful authenticity point.

That does not mean every event uses the same standard, but originality-minded judging generally rewards tires that look and measure appropriate for the model. A DS on the wrong wheel diameter or an AMI wearing a size meant for another Citroen family can stand out quickly. For event-specific expectations, compare your intended tire against the standards used by the relevant Citroen club or concours organizer.

For a 1962 Citroen AMI in 135R15, Michelin X M+S 89 and Michelin ZX are both radial blackwall tires, but their sidewall markings differ. Michelin X M+S 89 carries a 135R15 72Q TL marking, which corresponds to a Q speed rating up to 99 mph, while Michelin ZX carries a 135SR15 72S TL marking, which corresponds to an S speed rating up to 112 mph. Michelin ZX also carries a published rim width range of 3.50 to 4.50 inches.

Those differences matter most to owners who want to match the tire's character and markings to a particular restoration goal. One AMI owner may prefer a tread and sidewall presentation that feels closer to a certain period look, while another may focus on the speed symbol and application details. Comparing the full molded sidewall information is often more revealing than comparing the brand name alone.

1962 Citroen tires can be suitable for highway driving when the size is correct, the tires are in sound condition, and the speed rating matches realistic use. In the 135R15 AMI fitment, available products include Q-rated tires up to 99 mph and S-rated tires up to 112 mph. Those tire limits are well above typical legal highway speeds, but tire condition, inflation, wheel integrity, and the mechanical state of the car remain just as important as the speed symbol itself.

A 1962 Citroen should still be driven with the rest of the vehicle in mind. Brakes, steering, suspension, and the car's basic design will usually set the comfort and confidence limit before a fresh radial tire reaches its rating ceiling. Highway use is most sensible when the car tracks straight, holds pressure properly, and has been inspected as a complete system rather than as tires alone.

Inflation pressure for a 1962 Citroen should follow the vehicle's factory guidance first, with the tire manufacturer's rated pressure and load information used as a reference for the specific tire you choose. In the 135R15 fitment, one published figure is 780 pounds at 44 psi for the Firestone F560 Radial. That number belongs to that tire's own load-and-pressure rating and should not be transferred automatically to every other 135R15 or to any 380 mm or 400 mm Citroen size.

The practical approach is to start with the owner's manual or factory decal for the model, then compare that against the chosen tire's specifications and the way the car is actually used. A lightly loaded AMI may not want the same running pressure a tire can safely tolerate at maximum rated load. Pressure is a tuning and safety issue, not just a sidewall number.

Before a longer drive in a 1962 Citroen, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, embedded debris, uneven wear, and steady air retention. Check valve stems closely and make sure the spare is usable and inflated. Because 1962 Citroen fitments can involve specialized 380 mm or 400 mm wheels, it is also wise to confirm that the mounted size actually matches the model before leaving home.

Tires are only one part of the preparation, but they are one of the easiest problems to catch early. Follow the inspection with a broader check of brakes, steering, suspension, lights, and fluid levels, then pay attention to how the car behaves in the first miles. A collector Citroen often gives subtle warning signs before a small issue becomes a trip-ending one.