1972 Renault Tire Fitment Guide

1972 Renault vehicles use six sizes across the Renault model family: 155R13, 560-13, 155R14, 520-14, 165R13, and 600-13. The 13-inch group includes 155R13 and 165R13 radials plus 560-13 and 600-13 bias-ply tires, while the 14-inch group includes 155R14 radials and 520-14 bias-ply tires. Published rim-width guidance appears on many products: 155R13 fits 4.00 to 5.50 inches, 560-13 spans 3.50 to 4.50 inches depending on product, 155R14 fits 4.00 to 5.50 inches where stated, 520-14 fits 3.50 to 4.00 inches, 165R13 fits 4.50 to 6.00 inches, and 600-13 fits 4.00 to 4.50 inches.

The practical takeaway is that 1972 Renault fitment is not one-size-fits-all even within a single model family. Start by confirming whether your car has 13-inch or 14-inch wheels, then compare the exact size already on the car or specified in period literature. That approach is especially important when a Renault has changed hands over the years, because replacement wheels or earlier tire substitutions can blur what belongs on the car now.

On a 1972 Renault, 155R13 is a Euro-metric radial size. The 155 indicates a nominal section width of 155 millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. Because no aspect ratio appears in the size code, this type of metric sizing is conventionally treated as an 80-series radial. In this size, blackwall tires are available from Michelin and Dunlop, and H-rated examples carry a 130 mph speed ceiling where marked.

That coding matters because 155R13 points you toward a distinctly European-style radial rather than an older inch-format bias-ply tire. If your 1972 Renault already wears a 13-inch wheel and you want a blackwall radial look that aligns with period continental practice, this size is a natural starting point. It is still wise to verify wheel width before final selection, especially on a car that may have seen wheel swaps during past ownership.

No. The 1972 Renault range covered here falls under one Renault model family, but it spans six different sizes rather than one universal tire. Those sizes split across two wheel diameters, 13 and 14 inches, and also across two construction types, radial and bias-ply. The result is a broader spread than many buyers expect when they begin with only the year and make.

That means a 1972 Renault owner should not rely on year and make alone when choosing tires. Checking the current wheel diameter, the size previously fitted, and the intended character of the car will narrow the field quickly. Once you know whether your Renault uses a 13-inch or 14-inch wheel, the choice becomes much more manageable and you can compare radial versus bias-ply options with confidence.

The first question is whether your 1972 Renault actually has 13-inch wheels, because both 560-13 and 155R13 mount on 13-inch rims. From there, the difference is construction and presentation: 560-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire offered with whitewall styling, while 155R13 is a radial metric blackwall. Michelin and Dunlop cover the radial side in 155R13, while BFGoodrich and Firestone cover the bias-ply side in 560-13.

A buyer restoring a 1972 Renault with a strong emphasis on vintage appearance will usually lean toward the bias-ply option, especially if a whitewall look suits the car’s intended presentation. A driver seeking a more modern-feeling radial character within the same wheel diameter will usually start with 155R13 instead. The right answer is less about one size being universally better and more about matching the tire’s construction and appearance to the car’s purpose.

1972 Renault tires are available in both blackwall and whitewall styles, depending on size. The radial metric sizes 155R13, 155R14, and 165R13 come in blackwall form, while the bias-ply sizes 560-13 and 600-13 are available with narrow whitewall or wide whitewall styling. The 520-14 bias-ply size appears with narrow whitewall treatments. That mix gives the 1972 Renault range a clear split between understated radial blackwalls and more decorative bias-ply sidewalls.

For many French and other European small cars of the era, blackwall radials often look most natural, especially on driver-oriented restorations. Whitewalls can still be the right choice when a buyer wants a more stylized period presentation or is recreating a market-specific look. Sidewall choice affects the visual stance of the car as much as the tire size does, so it is worth deciding on appearance early rather than treating it as a last-minute detail.

1972 Renault fitments are covered by Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Firestone, and Premium Sport. Michelin and Dunlop appear in the radial 13-inch sizes, Michelin and Firestone cover 155R14, BFGoodrich and Firestone cover 560-13, BFGoodrich covers 600-13, and Premium Sport covers 520-14. That gives the year a mix of European-style radial offerings and American classic-style bias-ply options.

Brand choice usually follows size and construction rather than standing alone as the first decision. Once you know whether your 1972 Renault needs a 13-inch or 14-inch tire, and whether you want radial or bias-ply construction, the brand field narrows quickly. At that point, sidewall style, speed marking, and rim-width compatibility become more useful comparison points than the badge on the sidewall by itself.

Rim-width guidance varies by size on 1972 Renault applications. 155R13 fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 560-13 spans 3.50 to 4.50 inches depending on brand, 155R14 fits 4.00 to 5.50 inches where stated, 520-14 fits 3.50 to 4.00 inches, 165R13 fits 4.50 to 6.00 inches, and 600-13 fits 4.00 to 4.50 inches. Those ranges matter because the same rim diameter does not automatically mean the same acceptable rim width.

Before fitting tires to a 1972 Renault, measure the actual wheel width rather than assuming it matches the tire already on the car. That is especially important on older imports, since wheel swaps over the decades are common and can leave a car wearing a tire size that only partially suits the rim. Matching both rim diameter and rim width will help preserve the intended profile and avoid setup problems later.

Inner-tube requirements on 1972 Renault tires depend on the exact product. Some radial products, including examples in 155R13, 155R14, and 165R13, are explicitly marked TL for tubeless use, while other products in those same sizes are not marked the same way. The bias-ply sizes here are not universally marked with a tube designation in the product naming, so tube use should be confirmed against the specific tire and wheel combination rather than assumed from size alone.

The safest approach is to inspect the wheel type and the sidewall marking of the exact tire you intend to use. Older wheels, especially on collector cars, may have surface condition or bead-seat issues that influence whether a tubeless setup is practical even when a tire carries a TL marking. A Renault owner who confirms tube status before mounting avoids the kind of preventable mismatch that can complicate installation and long-term air retention.

Not across the full range, because 1972 Renault tires span both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel diameters. A 13-inch wheel can only accept the 13-inch sizes—155R13, 165R13, 560-13, or 600-13—while a 14-inch wheel is limited to 155R14 or 520-14. Even within the same diameter group, rim-width recommendations vary by size and by some individual products.

That means original wheels can often be reused, but only after confirming both the wheel diameter and width against the tire you want to run. A Renault owner comparing bias-ply and radial options within the same diameter still needs to make sure the wheel sits inside the approved rim-width window. Wheel diameter is the first gate, and wheel width is the second.

A 1972 Renault should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can accelerate sidewall cracking. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation, and either move the car periodically or support it in a way that reduces long static loading. Bias-ply tires tend to flat-spot more readily during storage than radials, so that point matters even more if your Renault uses one of the inch-format bias-ply sizes.

Good storage habits preserve both appearance and driveability. A Renault that sits for long periods on underinflated tires may feel rough or uneven on the first outing, and prolonged exposure to sun or ozone can age the sidewalls long before tread wear becomes a concern. If the car is driven only seasonally, build tire care into the same routine as battery maintenance and fuel-system stabilization.

On a 1972 Renault, tire age usually matters more than mileage because collector cars often accumulate relatively few miles. A sound rule is to evaluate tires closely once they reach the five- to seven-year range and to treat ten years as a point for serious replacement consideration, even if tread depth still looks healthy. The DOT date code on the sidewall helps establish age, and visible cracking, hardening, or repeated air loss can justify earlier replacement.

That age-based approach is especially useful on a lightly driven Renault because an old tire can appear presentable while losing the flexibility and integrity it had when new. Storage conditions, inflation discipline, and heat exposure all affect service life. A car used for occasional weekend drives should still follow the same calendar-based thinking as one that sees more frequent use.

Tires on a 1972 Renault should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Check for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, embedded debris, and pressure loss, and look over the spare at the same time. If your Renault uses a tube-type setup, the condition of the valve stem and the wheel itself deserve equal attention because leaks are not always visible from the tread or sidewall alone.

Frequent inspection is a simple habit that suits the realities of an older car. A Renault that sits for weeks at a time can develop pressure loss or age-related issues that would not be obvious from a quick glance across the garage. Two extra minutes with a tire gauge and a close visual check can prevent a spoiled outing and may catch a mounting or aging issue before it becomes more serious.

For a 1972 Renault Renault, original-equipment practice from the era commonly centered on bias-ply or early radial passenger-car tires depending on market, model variation, and equipment level. The fitment range for this year includes both traditional numeric bias-ply sizes such as 560-13, 520-14, and 600-13, along with metric radial sizes such as 155R13, 155R14, and 165R13. That combination fits the period, when European makers were well into radial adoption while some applications still intersected with older bias-ply sizing conventions.

If originality matters, use the tire already associated with your specific car, then confirm it against period owner literature, factory publications, or a Renault marque specialist. Market-specific details can influence which of the year’s six sizes best matches your Renault. Construction type, sidewall treatment, and wheel diameter all affect authenticity, so those checks should come before you settle on a final tire.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a shown 1972 Renault because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction, and sidewall style immediately. A car presented for originality can lose credibility if it wears a radial where a bias-ply presentation is expected, or a decorative whitewall where a simple blackwall better suits the period and market. Wheel diameter must also align with the car’s intended specification, since a 13-inch tire and a 14-inch tire create visibly different proportions.

That does not mean every show car must wear the same style, but it does mean the tire should support the story the restoration is telling. A driver-focused Renault can reasonably prioritize a period-looking radial, while a more authenticity-driven presentation may call for a traditional bias-ply appearance. Event standards differ, so the final word should come from the rules of the club or judging body that will evaluate the car.

In 165R13 for a 1972 Renault, Michelin and Dunlop both offer blackwall radial tires with H speed ratings, which carry a 130 mph ceiling where marked. Michelin appears in XAS-FF and XAS forms, both with a 4.50 to 6.00-inch rim-width range and explicit TL markings in the size string. Dunlop’s SP Sport Aquajet also carries an H rating and adds a published maximum load of 1,047 pounds, giving that product a useful load reference point in direct comparison.

The practical difference is less about one being a universal answer and more about which product profile best fits your car and your priorities. If your Renault owner values an explicitly tubeless-marked metric radial with a broad rim-width window, Michelin is an easy place to start. If load specification is a key comparison point in your decision, Dunlop provides that figure directly and may help narrow the choice.

1972 Renault tires can be appropriate for highway driving when the correct size is chosen, the tires are in sound condition, and their construction type matches how the car will be used. The radial metric sizes here include H-rated examples in 155R13 and 165R13, with a 130 mph ceiling, and a T-rated example in 155R14 with a 118 mph ceiling. Bias-ply options are also available for the year, but any road-use decision should consider the car’s age, suspension condition, braking capability, and alignment just as much as the tire itself.

In practical terms, most healthy 1972 Renault road cars will reach their mechanical and comfort limits before touching the speed ceiling of a properly matched radial. The more important issue is using fresh, correctly inflated tires on wheels that suit them. A careful pre-drive inspection and an honest look at the car’s overall condition matter more than chasing speed numbers that normal collector use will rarely approach.

Inflation pressure on a 1972 Renault should follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation first, then be checked against the tire maker’s own maximum-pressure and load marking where one appears. Several bias-ply products carry published figures such as 850 pounds at 30 psi for 560-13, 1,010 pounds at 32 psi for 600-13, 990 pounds at 44 psi for one 155R14 radial, and 1,230 pounds at 60 psi for 520-14. Those numbers are load-and-maximum references, not blanket operating pressures to transfer across every size.

That distinction matters because a 13-inch radial, a 14-inch bias-ply, and a wider 13-inch radial should not all be treated as if they want the same pressure. Start with the original Renault recommendation for your exact application, then fine-tune within the tire maker’s guidance if needed. Pressure should always be checked cold, and any large change in ride or wear pattern deserves a second look before the next longer trip.

Before a longer drive in a 1972 Renault, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper cold inflation. Check the valve stems, and if your setup uses tubes, make sure there are no signs of leakage or heat-related issues around the stem area. The spare should also be aired up and visually inspected, because a decades-old spare can fail just as readily as one mounted on the car.

Tires are only one part of the larger readiness picture on a 1972 Renault, so use the inspection as a trigger to look at brakes, wheel bearings, suspension, and fluid levels too. A compact vintage Renault can be a very enjoyable highway companion when prepared carefully, but age rewards thoroughness. A simple walk-around and pressure check before departure often catches the small issues that turn into roadside interruptions.