1962 DKW Tire Fitment Guide

1962 DKW vehicles use seven sizes across three models. The Cross Country uses 175R16 or 600-16, the F800/3 uses 550-16, and the Junior uses 145R12, 520-12, 5.50-13, or 560-13. Rim diameters vary by model and setup, spanning 12-inch, 13-inch, and 16-inch applications. Where rim-width guidance is available, 600-16 fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, 550-16 fits 3.25 to 4.00-inch rims, 145R12 fits a 4.5-inch rim, 520-12 fits a 4-inch rim, and 560-13 fits 3.50 to 4.50-inch rims depending on the product.

That spread means year and make alone are not enough to choose correctly. A buyer should first identify the exact model, then confirm whether the car or utility vehicle is running 12-inch, 13-inch, or 16-inch wheels before comparing sidewall style or construction. That is especially important on the Junior, where both wheel diameter and tire type can change from one setup to another.

On a 1962 DKW, 600-16 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The “600” refers to the nominal section width designation used in older inch-based sizing, and the “16” identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the DKW range, that size belongs to the Cross Country and mounts on a 16-inch wheel. Available versions include blackwalls and wide whitewalls, and one Avon example carries an H speed rating with a 130 mph ceiling.

The practical point is that 600-16 is not just another way of writing a modern metric radial size. It signals an older bias-ply construction and a different driving character, steering feel, and period appearance than a radial alternative such as 175R16. If a Cross Country owner wants an authentic early-1960s visual impression, 600-16 is usually the starting point.

On a 1962 DKW, 175R16 and 145R12 are older Euro-metric radial sizes. The first number is section width in millimeters, the “R” indicates radial construction, and the final number is the wheel diameter in inches. In common period convention, a size written this way without a stated aspect ratio is generally treated as an 80-series radial. The 175R16 fits the Cross Country, while the 145R12 fits the Junior.

Those codes matter because they identify both wheel diameter and construction at the same time. A radial-size DKW will not automatically take a numeric bias-ply size just because the wheel diameter sounds similar, and a 12-inch Junior fitment is entirely different from a 13-inch Junior fitment. Reading the code correctly is the fastest way to avoid mixing the wrong tire family with the wrong wheel.

For a 1962 DKW Cross Country, the choice between 175R16 and 600-16 is primarily a construction and use-case decision. The 175R16 is a radial 16-inch tire, while the 600-16 is a bias-ply 16-inch tire available in both blackwall and wide whitewall form. Both belong to the Cross Country, but they deliver a different ownership experience because they come from different tire-design eras.

A Cross Country restored with period presentation in mind will usually lean toward 600-16, especially if a whitewall style is part of the look. A driver-focused vehicle that sees regular road use may point toward 175R16 for a more modern radial character. The right answer depends less on the badge on the sidewall and more on whether the goal is visual authenticity or a later-style driving feel.

1962 DKW tires are available in several sidewall styles depending on size. Blackwalls appear in 600-16, 550-16, 145R12, and 520-12. Wide whitewalls are offered in 600-16, 550-16, 520-12, and 560-13, while 560-13 also appears in a narrow whitewall version. That gives the 13-inch Junior fitment the broadest sidewall-style variety among the smaller DKW sizes represented here.

For a 1962 European small car or utility vehicle, blackwall is typically the most restrained and market-correct visual direction, while whitewalls are more style-driven and can suit a personalized restoration. The best choice depends on how faithful the vehicle is meant to be to its original presentation and where it will be shown. Sidewall style changes the look immediately, even when the tire size stays the same.

1962 DKW tires come from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Excelsior, and Michelin, depending on size. The 600-16 Cross Country size appears from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone. The 550-16 F800/3 size comes from Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Junior applications split between Michelin in 145R12, BFGoodrich in 520-12, and BFGoodrich or Firestone in 560-13.

Brand choice matters most after the correct size and construction are settled. Once those are confirmed, the next comparison usually comes down to sidewall style, the character of the tire line, and details such as speed rating or rim-width compatibility where available. On a niche European make like DKW, brand selection can vary sharply from one size to another, so it helps to start with the exact fitment first.

Rim-width guidance for 1962 DKW tires depends on the size. The 600-16 Cross Country size fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, while the 550-16 F800/3 size fits 3.25 to 4.00-inch rims. On the Junior, 145R12 fits a 4.5-inch rim, 520-12 fits a 4-inch rim, and 560-13 fits either 3.50 to 4.00-inch or 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims depending on the product chosen.

That range is why wheel verification matters before making a final selection, especially on a car that may have changed wheels over the years. A size may share the same rim diameter but still expect a different width window. When a Junior or Cross Country has been modified, measuring the actual wheel is safer than relying on assumption.

Tube requirements on 1962 DKW tires depend on the exact product and size. The 145R12 Michelin radial is marked TL, which means tubeless. Other sizes such as 600-16, 550-16, 520-12, and 560-13 are not consistently marked with tube information in the same way, so tube practice can vary by tire design and wheel type rather than by year and make alone.

The important step is to confirm the sidewall marking on the exact tire and match that with the wheel construction on the vehicle. Many older wheels were originally designed around tube-type service even when a modern reproduction tire may exist in tubeless form. Checking both the tire marking and the wheel condition avoids ordering parts based on a blanket assumption.

A 1962 DKW should be stored out of direct sunlight, away from electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone sources that accelerate sidewall aging. Clean, dry floors and stable temperatures help preserve both bias-ply and radial tires. Bias-ply designs such as 600-16, 550-16, 520-12, 5.50-13, and 560-13 can develop temporary flat-spotting more readily during long static storage than radial sizes such as 175R16 or 145R12.

For seasonal storage, keep the tires properly inflated and move the vehicle periodically if possible. On a longer lay-up, many collectors prefer to reduce load with stands placed correctly under the chassis or suspension, while still keeping the tires shaped and supported as appropriate. A little storage discipline goes a long way on a lightly used DKW that may spend more time parked than driven.

On a 1962 DKW, tire life is usually governed more by age than by mileage. Collector vehicles often wear out their tires chemically before they wear them out mechanically, so a careful evaluation at five to seven years is wise, with replacement commonly considered by around ten years regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the tire is the key reference point for age, not the date the vehicle was restored.

That matters because a DKW that sees occasional fair-weather use can still be riding on rubber that looks acceptable at a glance but has hardened with time. Sidewall cracking, loss of flexibility, or a tire that no longer holds pressure consistently are all signs that age is taking over. A low-mileage collector car should never be judged by tread depth alone.

Tires on a 1962 DKW should be checked before every drive and inspected more thoroughly before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and pressure loss. On tube-service applications, it also makes sense to pay close attention to valve stems and any signs of slow leakage, since a tube-related issue can show up before obvious tread wear does.

That routine is especially important on a small, older vehicle that may sit for weeks between drives. A quick visual walkaround catches problems early, while a seasonal hands-on inspection gives a better read on aging, wheel condition, and whether the spare remains usable. Frequent inspection is one of the simplest ways to keep an occasional-use DKW ready for the road.

For a 1962 DKW Junior, bias-ply construction is the historically expected starting point for an originality-minded restoration, because radial adoption was still uneven across many small European cars in the early 1960s. The Junior uses several fitments in this range, including 520-12, 5.50-13, and 560-13 in bias-ply form, with 145R12 also appearing as a radial option. The exact original fitment can vary with wheel setup and market-specific details.

A serious restoration should match not only the wheel diameter but also the construction type and sidewall presentation that suit the car’s delivery period and market. If the goal is concours-level accuracy, it is smart to compare the car against period photos, handbook references, and marque-club knowledge before making the final call. That extra effort matters more on unusual imported makes like DKW, where small details can separate a correct car from a merely attractive one.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1962 DKW because judging standards often consider size, construction, and sidewall appearance together rather than treating the tire as a minor accessory. A Junior shown on modern-style radial blackwalls can give a different impression than the same car on a period-appropriate bias-ply size, and a Cross Country on the wrong 16-inch tire family can look out of step even if the wheel diameter is correct.

The more serious the event, the more those distinctions tend to matter. For a preservation or concours car, owners should verify what is accepted by the relevant club or judging body, especially where whitewall width or radial-versus-bias construction may affect authenticity. For casual local shows, the standard may be more relaxed, but correct fitment still improves the overall presentation.

For the 1962 DKW Junior in 560-13, BFGoodrich and Firestone both offer bias-ply tires with the same 850-pound-at-30-psi load figure on the examples that carry full load data. BFGoodrich offers both a narrow whitewall and a wide whitewall, each fitting a 3.50 to 4.00-inch rim range. Firestone offers a wide whitewall version that fits a 4.00 to 4.50-inch rim range.

That means the choice is not only about brand appearance but also about wheel width and sidewall style. A Junior with a narrower 13-inch wheel may lean naturally toward the BFGoodrich range, while a wider wheel may point toward the Firestone option. When two tires share the same nominal size, these setup details often make the real difference.

1962 DKW tires can be suitable for highway use when the size, condition, and speed rating match the job. Among the clearly marked examples, the 145R12 Michelin carries an S rating with a 112 mph ceiling, the 600-16 Avon carries an H rating with a 130 mph ceiling, and the 550-16 Avon carries an L rating with a 75 mph ceiling. Those figures are tire limits, not invitations to drive an early-1960s DKW at modern high-speed expectations.

In real use, the vehicle’s own brakes, suspension design, weight, and age often matter more than the headline speed symbol. A sound tire does not override the mechanical realities of a compact or utility vehicle from this era. Highway confidence comes from the whole package working together: correct size, proper inflation, healthy wheel condition, and a car that has been thoroughly inspected.

Inflation pressure on 1962 DKW tires depends on the exact size and tire chosen. Load-and-pressure examples include 600-16 at 1400 pounds at 32 psi, 550-16 at 840 pounds at 32 psi on one Firestone version and 992 pounds on one Avon version, 520-12 at 694 pounds at 30 psi, and 560-13 at 850 pounds at 30 psi. Those figures describe tire capacity at a stated pressure and should not be transferred casually from one size to another.

For actual vehicle setup, the factory handbook remains the best reference for the DKW’s intended running pressure, while the tire maker’s sidewall or specifications confirm the tire’s own rated limits. That distinction is important because reproduction and specialty tires can differ from original-era products. Pressure should be set intentionally, not by copying another DKW owner’s numbers from a different size.

Before a longer drive in a 1962 DKW, inspect each tire for sidewall cracks, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and make sure the spare is roadworthy rather than simply present. If the car uses a tube-service setup, include valve stems and any signs of slow leakage in the check. Wheel condition matters too, especially on older rims that may have seen decades of use, repainting, or storage.

That tire inspection should sit inside a broader pre-trip review of the vehicle’s mechanical health. A vintage DKW benefits from checking brakes, steering, wheel bearings, and fluid systems before any sustained outing, because tire reliability is only one piece of safe road use. A careful walkaround and short local test drive can reveal issues before they turn into trip-ending problems.