1962 Renault Tire Fitment Guide

1962 Renault vehicles use three sizes: 135R15 radial, 5.0-15 bias-ply, and 145R15 radial. The 135R15 and 5.0-15 fit the 1962 Renault CV and 1962 Renault Daughine, while the 145R15 fits the 1962 Renault Caravelle. All three sizes mount on 15-inch wheels, and rim width guidance is available for some radial products, including 3.50 to 4.50 inches for certain 135R15 tires and 3.50 to 5.00 or 4.00 to 5.00 inches for certain 145R15 tires.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a correct choice on a 1962 Renault. CV and Daughine owners need to decide between a narrower radial and a period-style bias-ply approach, while Caravelle owners need the model-specific 145R15 radial size. The wheel diameter is consistent, but the exact model still matters before moving on to product selection.

On a 1962 Renault, 5.0-15 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 5.0 refers to nominal section width in inches, and the 15 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. Unlike a metric radial code, this older numeric format does not use a millimeter width or an explicit speed-rated service description in the size itself, and it is associated here with bias-ply construction for the CV and Daughine.

That matters because a 5.0-15 does not represent the same design philosophy as a 135R15 radial, even though both fit the same 15-inch wheel diameter on those Renault models. If your goal is an early-1960s driving character and appearance, the numeric bias-ply format is often the closer match. If your goal is easier road use, compare it against the radial option before deciding.

On a 1962 Renault, 135R15 and 145R15 are metric radial sizes. The first number is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the final 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. In this early metric style, no aspect ratio is printed, and it is conventionally treated as an 80-series radial. The 135R15 fits the CV and Daughine, while the 145R15 is the Caravelle size.

That decoding helps separate two very different buying decisions. A CV or Daughine owner choosing 135R15 is comparing a radial against a bias-ply alternative on the same wheel diameter, while a Caravelle owner is simply confirming the correct model-specific radial size. It also explains why some products carry extra markings such as S or Q speed ratings in the full sidewall description.

For a 1962 Renault CV or 1962 Renault Daughine, the choice between 135R15 and 5.0-15 is mainly a choice between radial and bias-ply construction. The 135R15 is a radial size offered by Michelin and Firestone, while the 5.0-15 is a bias-ply size associated with a more traditional early-1960s setup. Both mount on 15-inch wheels, so the decision is less about wheel diameter and more about how you want the car to look and feel.

Owners pursuing a more factory-era driving character often lean toward the 5.0-15 bias-ply route, especially for show-oriented restorations. Owners who plan to spend more time on public roads often prefer the 135R15 radial approach for its more modern construction style. The best starting point is to decide whether your 1962 Renault is being judged for authenticity, driven regularly, or asked to do a bit of both.

1962 Renault tire choices are mostly blackwall, with a wider style break appearing in the Caravelle's 145R15 size. The 135R15 options for the CV and Daughine are blackwall radials, while the 145R15 used on the Caravelle is available in both blackwall and wide whitewall form. That makes the Caravelle the only 1962 Renault model here with a distinctly different sidewall presentation available in the same basic size family.

For a small French economy sedan like the CV or Daughine, blackwall usually aligns more naturally with the car's original market character. The Caravelle's more style-driven image gives buyers a little more latitude, especially if they want a period-accessory look rather than a strictly plain European presentation. Sidewall style can change the car's stance and personality quickly, so it is worth deciding that before narrowing to a specific product.

1962 Renault tires are available from Michelin, Firestone, and BFGoodrich, depending on the size. The 135R15 used on the CV and Daughine comes from Michelin and Firestone, while the 145R15 used on the Caravelle comes from Firestone, Michelin, and BFGoodrich. Michelin appears across both radial sizes, which makes sense for a French car of this era, while the American-brand options broaden the choices for buyers who want a different tread or sidewall presentation.

Brand choice on a 1962 Renault is usually a matter of size availability, sidewall appearance, and how closely you want the tire to reflect a European period feel. A CV or Daughine owner shopping 135R15 is working within a narrower brand pool than a Caravelle owner shopping 145R15. Once the model and size are confirmed, the brand comparison becomes much more straightforward.

Rim width guidance for 1962 Renault tires varies by size and by product. In 135R15, radial products are paired with 15-inch wheels and certain examples specify a 3.50 to 4.50 inch rim width range. In 145R15, certain products specify 3.50 to 5.00 inches, while others specify 4.00 to 5.00 inches. All of these sizes share a 15-inch wheel diameter, but width compatibility is more specific than diameter alone.

That is why wheel measurement is worth confirming before final selection, especially if your 1962 Renault has replacement wheels or a long restoration history. A Caravelle owner should not assume every 145R15 product has the exact same acceptable width span, and a CV or Daughine owner comparing radial and bias-ply products should check the actual wheel rather than relying on memory. Correct rim width helps the tire hold its intended shape and behavior.

1962 Renault tube requirements depend on the exact tire chosen. The 135R15 Michelin radial products are marked TL, meaning tubeless, and the 145R15 Michelin XZX is also marked TL. Other products in 135R15 and 145R15 do not carry the same marking in the size description, so tube status varies by product rather than staying uniform across every tire in those sizes.

That matters because wheel condition and wheel design are just as important as the tire's sidewall marking. Before fitting any 1962 Renault tire, confirm whether the specific tire is tube-type or tubeless and whether the wheel is appropriate for that construction. If the car still carries original wheels, a Renault specialist or experienced vintage tire installer can help you match the tire's intended setup to the wheel you actually have.

Original 1962 Renault wheels can often be used with the tire sizes assigned to the correct model because all three sizes here use a 15-inch rim diameter. The CV and Daughine sizes, 135R15 and 5.0-15, share that diameter, and the Caravelle's 145R15 does as well. Diameter compatibility alone does not make every wheel interchangeable across every model and every product, though, because rim width requirements still need to be respected.

In practice, that means a CV or Daughine owner has a clearer path when switching between radial and bias-ply fitments on the same car, while a Caravelle owner should stay focused on the 145R15 range meant for that model. Any time original wheels are being reused after decades of service, it is wise to check for width, damage, corrosion, and bead-seat condition before mounting fresh tires.

A 1962 Renault should be stored clean, dry, and away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, and other ozone sources that accelerate sidewall aging. Keep the tires properly inflated, avoid parking for long periods on damp soil or bare concrete, and move the car occasionally so the same section of casing is not always carrying the load. Bias-ply tires such as a 5.0-15 can flat-spot more readily during long static storage than the radial options used elsewhere in the 1962 Renault range.

For longer layups, many collectors use tire cradles or stands to reduce prolonged stress on one contact patch, especially on lighter vintage cars. If your 1962 Renault is stored through a season, a quick pressure check and visual inspection before the next drive is more valuable than simply assuming low annual mileage kept the tires fresh. Storage habits have a direct effect on ride quality, sidewall condition, and service life.

Tires on a 1962 Renault are best judged by age and condition rather than mileage alone. Collector-car tires often age out before they wear out, so a careful evaluation around five to seven years is sensible, with replacement becoming a serious consideration as a tire approaches ten years of age. The DOT date code and the tire's visible condition matter more than odometer use on a lightly driven Renault from this era.

A car that sees only short seasonal drives can still develop hardening, cracking, or internal age-related deterioration. That is especially important on a rear-engine economy car, where tire condition has a direct effect on stability and braking confidence. If the tires on your 1962 Renault are old enough that their age is unclear, checking the date code is one of the simplest ways to decide whether inspection alone is still enough.

Tires on a 1962 Renault should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, punctures, bulges, uneven wear, and signs that a tire is losing pressure between uses. If your chosen tire setup involves tube-type construction, the condition of the valve stems and the system's ability to hold pressure deserve extra attention as part of the routine.

A quick inspection takes only a few minutes and can prevent the kind of roadside failure that turns a pleasant vintage drive into a tow-home day. Pay close attention after the car has been parked for long periods, since flat-spotting, sidewall age, and low inflation pressure often reveal themselves only when the Renault goes back into service. Consistency matters more than waiting for a yearly service interval.

A 1962 Renault CV would have been associated with narrow 15-inch tires in keeping with European small-car practice of the period, and bias-ply construction was still very much part of the era even as radials were becoming increasingly influential in French automotive design. For the CV here, both 135R15 radial and 5.0-15 bias-ply fitments exist, which gives restorers a choice between an early radial-type presentation and a more traditional bias-ply one. Original-market details can still vary by destination and specification.

For a high-authenticity restoration, the safest path is to confirm the car's market history, surviving placards, and period literature before settling on one construction. If your 1962 Renault CV is being restored for judged events, marque clubs and Renault specialists can help determine whether the expected presentation favors the radial look, the bias-ply look, or a specific sidewall treatment. That extra step can matter more than brand choice alone.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when a 1962 Renault is judged for authenticity. Size, construction type, and sidewall style all influence whether the car looks consistent with its period and market intent. A CV or Daughine wearing a modern-looking tire treatment that departs sharply from a period presentation, or a Caravelle wearing the wrong size for its model, can distract from an otherwise careful restoration.

Judging standards vary between Renault clubs, general European events, and broader concours settings, so the right answer is not always identical from one show field to another. Owners who want to compete seriously should treat tire choice as part of the restoration plan rather than a last-minute consumable. The more original the rest of the car is, the more noticeable an incorrect size or sidewall style becomes.

For a 1962 Renault CV or Daughine in 135R15, Michelin ZX and Firestone F560 Radial are both radial options on 15-inch rims, and both are associated with a 3.50 to 4.50 inch rim width range where that guidance appears. The Michelin ZX carries a 135SR15 72S marking, which includes an S speed rating at 112 mph, while the Firestone F560 Radial is presented as 135R15 and carries a maximum load figure of 780 pounds at 44 psi. Their weights are also slightly different, with the Michelin at 12 pounds and the Firestone at 13.2 pounds.

That comparison makes the decision less about basic fitment and more about which sidewall marking and product character best suits your restoration or driving plan. Some owners prefer the Michelin naming and European presentation for a French car, while others focus on the Firestone's published load-and-pressure figure. On a small 1962 Renault, those details can shape both authenticity and how closely the finished car matches the look you want.

1962 Renault tires can be suitable for highway use when the correct size, sound wheels, and healthy overall vehicle condition come together. Among the radial choices, the 135R15 range includes products marked Q at 99 mph and S at 112 mph, and the 145R15 range includes an S-rated Michelin option at 112 mph. Those speed capabilities are well above normal cruising speeds, but the car's age, braking system, suspension condition, and light-weight construction still deserve as much attention as the tire itself.

The practical takeaway is that a fresh, correctly fitted tire is only one part of highway confidence in a 1962 Renault. A CV, Daughine, or Caravelle that wanders, shakes, or takes too long to stop should not be judged by tire speed rating alone. Before planning extended road use, make sure the chassis and steering are as ready as the tires are.

Inflation pressure for a 1962 Renault should be matched to the tire you are actually using and checked against the car's original pressure guidance. Among the published figures here, the Firestone 135R15 carries 780 pounds at 44 psi and the Firestone 145R15 carries 935 pounds at 44 psi, but those are tire ratings rather than a blanket instruction for every Renault or every product in the size. Pressure should never be copied from one size to another without verifying the tire and the car.

Start with the original Renault recommendation for the specific model, then compare that with the reproduction tire maker's published rating and intended use. A lightly loaded CV, a Dauphine used for touring, and a Caravelle with different weight distribution needs may not all want the same operating pressure even though they share 15-inch wheel diameter. Consistent pressure checks matter more than occasional guesses.

Before a longer drive in a 1962 Renault, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, tread damage, and proper inflation, then check that the spare is usable and inflated as well. If your tire setup involves a tube-type construction, valve-stem condition and air retention deserve extra scrutiny. On an older rear-engine Renault, it is also smart to look beyond the tires and confirm brakes, wheel bearings, steering play, and suspension condition before trusting the car to sustained road miles.

Longer drives expose weaknesses that short local trips may never reveal, especially on a collector car that spends much of its time parked. A quick pre-trip walkaround should include looking for uneven tire wear that might point to alignment or suspension issues, not just damage to the rubber itself. Catching a small problem in the garage is far easier than troubleshooting it on the shoulder.