1962 Toyota Tire Fitment Guide

1962 Toyota vehicles use four sizes overall: 165R13 and 590-13 for the Toyota Tiara, plus 640-13 and 650-13 for the Toyota Toyopet. All four sizes mount on 13-inch wheels, but they do not share the same rim-width needs. 165R13 fits 4.50- to 6.00-inch rims, 590-13 fits 3.50- to 4.00-inch rims, 640-13 fits 4.00- to 4.50-inch rims, and 650-13 fits 4.50- to 5.00-inch rims.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a confident choice on a 1962 Toyota. The first step is identifying whether the car is a Tiara or a Toyopet, then matching the tire size to the wheel already on the car or to the wheel you intend to restore. Once that is settled, the remaining decision is mostly about construction style and sidewall appearance rather than searching across unrelated sizes.

On a 1962 Toyota, 165R13 is a metric radial size used on the Tiara. The 165 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. The available versions appear in blackwall form, and the H speed rating found on those products carries a 130 mph ceiling.

For a Tiara owner, that code matters because it points to a later-style radial format rather than an early numeric bias-ply size. A radial like 165R13 is often the direction owners consider when they want the car to feel more settled in regular road use, but wheel width still needs to match the tire’s approved range before making the switch.

No, 1962 Toyota models do not use the same tire size. The Tiara uses either 165R13 or 590-13, while the Toyopet uses 640-13 or 650-13. Even though all of them are 13-inch fitments, the section widths, construction types, and approved rim-width ranges differ enough that they should not be treated as interchangeable simply because the wheel diameter matches.

That distinction is especially important on early imported cars, where small differences in wheel width and original fitment practice can change the right answer. If the car’s identity is unclear, confirm the model first and then compare the actual wheel before choosing a size. That approach is much more reliable than selecting by appearance alone.

For a 1962 Toyota Tiara, the choice between 165R13 and 590-13 comes down to construction type and the character you want from the car. 165R13 is a radial blackwall size, while 590-13 is a numeric bias-ply size available as a wide whitewall. Both fit 13-inch wheels, but they call for different rim-width ranges, so the wheel on the car has to be part of the decision.

A Tiara restored toward an early-1960s appearance usually points buyers toward 590-13, while a Tiara meant for more regular road use often leads them to 165R13. Neither choice is universal for every car. Matching the tire to the intended look, the wheel width, and the way the car will be driven is the right way to narrow the decision.

1962 Toyota tire choices span blackwall, wide whitewall, and narrow whitewall styles depending on size. The Tiara’s 165R13 radial choices are blackwall, while its 590-13 bias-ply option is a wide whitewall. The Toyopet’s 640-13 appears as a wide whitewall, and 650-13 is offered in both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall versions.

Sidewall style has a strong effect on how an early-1960s import presents itself. Whitewalls generally suit a period-correct restoration theme, especially on a sedan restored with original-era visual cues, while blackwalls usually create a cleaner and less formal appearance. If appearance matters as much as fitment, decide on the sidewall look at the same time you confirm the correct size.

1962 Toyota tire fitments are covered by Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and US Royal. The Tiara’s 165R13 radial size comes from Michelin and Dunlop, while 590-13 is offered by BFGoodrich. The Toyopet’s 640-13 also comes from BFGoodrich, and 650-13 is available from Coker Classic and US Royal.

Brand choice on a 1962 Toyota often overlaps with construction and appearance rather than standing alone as the deciding factor. Some buyers start with a preferred brand, but it usually makes more sense to begin with the correct model and size, then compare which brands support the sidewall style and construction type that best fit the car’s intended use.

Rim-width requirements for 1962 Toyota tires vary by size. The Tiara’s 165R13 radial fits 4.50- to 6.00-inch rims, while its 590-13 bias-ply fits 3.50- to 4.00-inch rims. On the Toyopet, 640-13 fits 4.00- to 4.50-inch rims, and 650-13 fits 4.50- to 5.00-inch rims.

That spread shows why two 13-inch tires are not automatically interchangeable on a 1962 Toyota. Rim diameter may stay the same, but width changes enough to affect whether a specific tire belongs on a specific wheel. Before committing to any size, measure the wheel or confirm its original specification so the tire and rim work together correctly.

Tube requirements for 1962 Toyota tires depend on the size and product. The 165R13 radial choices include tubeless examples, while the bias-ply sizes shown here do not carry a TL marking and should be confirmed by the specific product’s sidewall marking and the wheel design being used. Early 13-inch steel wheels can sometimes influence whether a tube is advisable even when the tire itself can run tubeless.

That means a 1962 Toyota owner should not assume the answer is the same across the whole range. If you are fitting a Tiara with 165R13, tubeless construction is part of the picture. If you are fitting one of the bias-ply sizes, confirm both the tire marking and whether the wheel is suited to tubeless service before final installation.

Original 1962 Toyota wheels can often share the same basic 13-inch diameter across these fitments, but that does not mean one wheel suits every size. 165R13, 590-13, 640-13, and 650-13 all mount on 13-inch rims, yet their approved rim-width ranges are different enough that wheel width becomes the deciding factor. The Tiara’s two sizes, in particular, span very different width ranges.

A diameter match is only the first checkpoint on a 1962 Toyota. If the car still has its original wheels, verify the wheel width before moving from one construction type to another or from one numeric size to the next. That is especially important when changing a Tiara from a narrow bias-ply fitment to a metric radial.

A 1962 Toyota stores best in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, furnaces, welders, and other ozone sources that age rubber. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation, and either move the car periodically or support it in a way that reduces long-term static loading. Bias-ply tires such as 590-13, 640-13, and 650-13 are especially prone to flat-spotting during long inactivity compared with radial construction.

Good storage habits preserve both appearance and drivability on an early collector car. A Tiara on 165R13 radials may recover from sitting a bit differently than a Toyopet on bias-ply whitewalls, but both benefit from avoiding moisture and ultraviolet exposure. If the car will sit for a season, a quick pre-drive pressure and sidewall check should become part of the restart routine.

Tire life on a 1962 Toyota is usually judged by age and condition more than by mileage. Collector cars often cover few miles, so the practical rule is to evaluate tires closely once they are around five to seven years old and to treat about ten years as a serious replacement threshold regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the sidewall is the starting point for determining age.

That age-based approach matters because a lightly used 1962 Toyota can wear very little tread while still carrying old, hardened rubber. Whitewall bias-ply tires may look attractive long after their safe service life has narrowed, and a radial can age out just as surely as a bias tire. If age is uncertain, replacement is often cheaper than risking a failure on a hard-to-replace vintage body.

Tires on a 1962 Toyota should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, and pressure loss. On cars using tube-type practice or older wheel hardware, valve stems and any sign of tube-related leakage deserve equal attention.

Frequent inspection matters more on a vintage car than on a modern daily driver because the car may sit for weeks and then be asked to run at road speed without much recent use. A quick walk-around catches many problems early. If the car develops a pull, vibration, or repeated pressure loss, stop using it until the tire and wheel assembly are checked closely.

A 1962 Toyota Tiara would have been associated with bias-ply tire practice in its original era, which makes 590-13 the most historically aligned choice among the sizes used on that model. The 165R13 radial is a later-format alternative that suits owners who want to keep the car on a 13-inch fitment while moving away from a strictly period-style construction. No original-equipment brand should be assumed without factory literature or marque-specific confirmation.

For restoration work, that means the question is not just whether a tire fits a 1962 Toyota Tiara, but whether it matches the standard expected for the car’s story and market. A factory brochure, period road test, or Toyota club source is the right place to confirm market-specific details. Once that is settled, sidewall style and construction can be chosen with much more confidence.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when a 1962 Toyota is judged for authenticity. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the tire size, construction type, and sidewall style suit the era and the model. On a car restored for originality, a modern radial where a bias-ply appearance is expected can stand out just as much as an incorrect whitewall treatment.

That does not mean every show car must wear the same tire, but it does mean the choice should be intentional. A driver-class 1962 Toyota may sensibly wear a radial if the owner values road use, while a concours-oriented car usually benefits from period-correct construction and sidewall presentation. Event rules and marque-club standards should guide the final call.

For the 1962 Toyota Toyopet, 650-13 appears in both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall versions from Coker Classic and US Royal. The construction remains bias-ply, the rim-width range stays at 4.50 to 5.00 inches, and the load figure remains 1,150 pounds at 32 psi across those options. The main difference is visual character rather than fitment or carrying capacity.

That makes the decision largely a styling and restoration-choice question. A wide whitewall tends to create a more formal early-1960s look, while a narrow whitewall reads slightly more restrained. If you are trying to match a specific showroom or dealer-era appearance for a 1962 Toyota Toyopet, period photos and owner-club references are the best way to choose between the two.

1962 Toyota tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, properly mounted, correctly inflated, and in sound condition. The available products here include S-rated bias-ply tires with a 112 mph ceiling and H-rated 165R13 radials with a 130 mph ceiling. Those ratings are well above normal U.S. highway speeds, but tire age, storage history, and the condition of the car itself matter just as much as the speed symbol.

On a 1962 Toyota, brakes, suspension, steering condition, and alignment often limit real-world confidence before the tire’s speed rating does. A fresh radial Tiara setup may feel different from a bias-ply Toyopet setup, but neither should be pushed simply because the sidewall rating appears generous. Treat the whole car as a vintage system, not just the tire in isolation.

Inflation pressure on a 1962 Toyota should start with the factory recommendation for the specific model and size, then be checked against the tire manufacturer’s pressure and load limits for the exact tire you are using. Among the available bias-ply sizes here, 590-13 carries 970 pounds at 32 psi, 640-13 carries 1,045 pounds at 32 psi, and 650-13 carries 1,150 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures describe the tire’s rated load point, not a universal setting to copy across every size.

That distinction is important because a Tiara and a Toyopet do not use the same fitments, and a radial should not simply inherit a bias-ply pressure assumption. If the owner’s manual and the tire’s service information point in different directions, use the information that matches the exact tire and wheel combination on the car. Pressures should always be checked cold.

Before a longer drive in a 1962 Toyota, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper cold inflation. Check valve stems, confirm that the spare is usable, and make sure the wheel hardware is secure. If the car is running a bias-ply size or has spent long periods parked, pay extra attention to flat spotting and any vibration that does not clear after a few miles.

Tires are only one part of the pre-trip routine on an early Toyota. A sensible owner will also review brakes, steering, wheel bearings, lights, and fluid levels before expecting the car to handle a sustained outing. Vintage cars reward preventive checks, and the tire inspection is the quickest place to spot an issue before it leaves you on the shoulder.