1973 Renault Tire Fitment Guide

1973 Renault vehicles use four tire sizes: 155R13, 560-13, 165R13, and 600-13. All four apply to the Renault model and all four fit a 13-inch rim diameter. Rim width ranges differ by size where specified: 155R13 fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 560-13 fits 3.50 to 4.50-inch rims depending on product, 165R13 fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims, and 600-13 fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims.

That means year and make alone are not enough if you are trying to match the car’s present setup or its restoration goal. Start by checking the tire sidewall currently on the car, then confirm the actual wheel width before moving between a narrow bias-ply size and a wider radial size. Since all of these are 13-inch options, the key differences come from section width, construction type, and the wheel-width range each tire expects.

On a 1973 Renault, 560-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 5.60 figure is the nominal section width in inches, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. In this year and make, 560-13 appears in traditional bias-ply construction and is available with narrow whitewall or wide whitewall styling, depending on the brand and product chosen.

For a buyer, that makes 560-13 a strong vintage-style option rather than a modern metric radial equivalent. It is best treated as a classic-era size that should be matched to the correct wheel width and to the look you want from the car. If your Renault is being restored with an emphasis on period appearance, this kind of numeric bias-ply size usually belongs on the short list.

On a 1973 Renault, 155R13 and 165R13 are metric radial sizes. The first number is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. Because these sizes are written without an explicit aspect ratio, they are conventionally treated as 80-series metric radials, which was common on European cars of the period.

That format matters because it tells you these are not direct numeric bias-ply descriptions even though they share the same wheel diameter. A 155R13 is narrower than a 165R13, and both differ in character from 560-13 or 600-13 bias-ply tires. If your Renault already wears metric radials, staying within that family usually makes comparison simpler when you are deciding between a slightly narrower or wider radial fitment.

For a 1973 Renault, the 560-13 and 155R13 share the same 13-inch wheel diameter but represent two different tire philosophies. The 560-13 is a bias-ply size with vintage whitewall options, while the 155R13 is a blackwall metric radial from Michelin or Dunlop with H-rated versions carrying a 130 mph ceiling. The choice is usually less about wheel diameter and more about whether you want period-style construction or radial behavior.

A restoration leaning toward original-era appearance often points buyers toward the bias-ply route, especially if whitewall styling matters. A car that is driven more regularly, or one whose owner wants a more familiar radial feel on modern roads, often points toward 155R13 instead. Before making that change, confirm the wheel width on the car, because the approved rim-width range for a radial and a bias-ply tire is not automatically the same.

1973 Renault tires are available in two broad sidewall directions depending on size. The radial sizes 155R13 and 165R13 come in blackwall form, while the bias-ply sizes 560-13 and 600-13 are available with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styling. That split follows the era’s transition point, where imported compacts often wore blackwall radials while traditional bias-ply offerings still emphasized vintage whitewall appearance.

If your goal is a factory-like European small-car look, blackwall metric radials are usually the more visually natural fit. If you are aiming for a distinctly vintage presentation or a period custom flavor, the whitewall bias-ply sizes change the car’s appearance immediately. Sidewall style should be chosen alongside construction type, since a whitewall bias-ply and a blackwall radial can make the same 1973 Renault look and feel like very different cars.

1973 Renault tires come from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone across the four sizes. Michelin and Dunlop cover the radial sizes 155R13 and 165R13 in blackwall form, while BFGoodrich covers both bias-ply sizes and Firestone appears in 560-13. That gives the Renault buyer both European-style radial choices and classic American reproduction bias-ply options within the same year and make.

Brand choice matters most after you decide on size, sidewall style, and construction. A buyer comparing radial options will usually be choosing between Michelin and Dunlop in a blackwall metric format, while a buyer comparing bias-ply options will be deciding among whitewall treatments and brand preferences in BFGoodrich or Firestone. It is usually more useful to narrow by tire type first, then compare the brands available within that exact size.

Rim-width requirements for 1973 Renault tires vary by size. The 155R13 fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 165R13 fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims, 600-13 fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, and 560-13 spans 3.50 to 4.50 inches depending on which brand and product you choose. Even though every option uses a 13-inch rim diameter, the wheel-width window is not the same from one size to another.

That is why a move from one Renault tire size to another should never be treated as diameter-only. A wheel that suits a 560-13 bias-ply may not be the ideal match for a 165R13 radial, and vice versa. Measure the wheel if possible, verify the approved width range for the exact tire you want, and avoid assuming that any 13-inch Renault wheel is automatically correct for every tire size offered for the year.

Tube status on 1973 Renault tires depends on the exact size and product. The radial sizes 155R13 and 165R13 are tubeless in the available Michelin products, and the Dunlop radial sizing does not carry a tube-type marking. The bias-ply sizes 560-13 and 600-13 do not show tube or tubeless markings in their size descriptions, so the safest approach is to confirm the specific tire’s sidewall marking and match it to the wheel condition before installation.

That matters especially on older 13-inch steel wheels, where bead-seat condition and wheel design can influence how a tire should be set up. If your Renault still has original wheels, inspect them carefully for rust, pitting, or damage before reusing them. When there is any doubt, confirm the tire’s own markings and consult the tire manufacturer or a knowledgeable vintage-wheel specialist rather than assuming that every reproduction tire is set up the same way.

Original 1973 Renault wheels can potentially be used with all four tire sizes because every option mounts on a 13-inch rim diameter. That said, wheel width still needs to be confirmed against the exact tire chosen, since 560-13, 600-13, 155R13, and 165R13 each have their own approved rim-width range. Diameter compatibility alone does not settle the question.

This is especially important if the car has changed hands several times or has already been converted from one tire type to another. A Renault currently wearing a narrow bias-ply may have wheels better suited to that size than to a wider radial, while a car already on metric radials may be set up for a broader width range. Confirm the wheel width before changing sizes, and treat the 13-inch diameter match as only the first checkpoint.

A stored 1973 Renault should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment. Keep the tires properly inflated, move the car periodically if possible, and avoid letting it sit for long stretches on one contact patch. Bias-ply tires tend to flat-spot more readily during long static storage, while any tire can suffer sidewall aging if exposed to heat and ozone.

If the Renault will sit for months rather than weeks, many collectors either roll the car occasionally or support it in a way that reduces continuous load on the tires while preserving the suspension sensibly. Clean, dry tires last better than tires left in damp garages or under fitted covers that trap moisture. Good storage habits matter just as much as tread depth on a low-mileage collector car.

On a 1973 Renault, tire life is usually judged more by age and condition than by miles driven. A collector car tire should be inspected closely once it reaches the five- to seven-year range, and many owners begin serious replacement consideration around ten years regardless of tread depth. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age, and visible cracking, hardening, or deformation can move replacement higher on the priority list.

That age-based approach is especially important for a Renault that spends much of its life parked, attends occasional events, or only sees fair-weather driving. A tire can look presentable and still be far older than is wise for dependable road use. If you have recently acquired the car and do not know when the tires were installed, check the date code before planning longer trips or higher-speed highway driving.

Tires on a 1973 Renault should be checked before every drive and more thoroughly before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, irregular wear, embedded objects, bulges, and pressure loss, and make sure the spare is serviceable as well. If the setup uses tubes or older valve hardware, pay extra attention to valve stems, slow leaks, and any signs that the tire has shifted on the rim.

That routine matters because collector cars often reveal problems after sitting rather than after accumulating miles. A Renault that drove well last month can still develop low pressure, surface cracking, or flat-spotting between outings. Make tire inspection part of the same pre-drive habit that includes checking fluids, brakes, and lights, especially if the car will be driven at sustained road speed or with passengers aboard.

A 1973 Renault Renault could plausibly be associated with either period-correct bias-ply sizing or early metric radial sizing, because 1973 sits squarely in the transition era when European manufacturers were already strongly identified with radial tires. The available 13-inch choices for this model include both numeric bias-ply sizes and metric radial sizes, which reflects that historical overlap. Original-equipment branding should be confirmed separately if you are restoring for strict authenticity.

For most restorers, the first question is whether the car is being returned to a factory-European look or to a period U.S.-market presentation that may have varied by market and dealer history. Construction type, overall appearance, and sidewall treatment all matter to that decision. If your car will be judged, use the owner’s literature, period road tests, and Renault marque-club guidance to confirm what is correct for your exact market and trim.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1973 Renault because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the car wears the right size family, the right construction type, and an era-appropriate sidewall style. A blackwall metric radial gives a very different visual and historical impression from a wide-whitewall bias-ply, even though both may fit a 13-inch wheel. In authenticity-focused settings, the wrong construction or sidewall treatment can stand out quickly.

That does not mean every show uses the same standards. Some events reward overall presentation and period flavor, while others hold closely to factory-delivery details. If your Renault is being prepared for concours-style judging, verify whether the event expects radial versus bias-ply construction and whether whitewalls are acceptable for the car’s market and presentation. Marque clubs and event rulebooks are the right places to settle those finer points before judging day.

For a 1973 Renault, Michelin XAS and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet both cover the radial side of the fitment range in 155R13 and 165R13 blackwall form. In the available 155 size, both are 20-pound tires, while in 165R13 the Dunlop is 20 pounds and one Michelin XAS entry is notably lighter. Michelin 155R13 fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, Michelin 165R13 fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims, and the Dunlop 165R13 carries a 1,047-pound maximum load figure.

For the buyer, the main distinction is not that one is universally right and the other wrong, but that each product should be compared on the exact size, wheel-width range, and specification that matches the car. If your Renault already has a wheel width that favors one radial size over the other, that may narrow the field immediately. Once size is settled, compare the specific tire’s markings and dimensions rather than choosing by brand name alone.

1973 Renault tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within their ratings and intended construction type. The radial options in 155R13 and 165R13 include H-rated versions, which carry a 130 mph speed ceiling. The practical highway limit on a 1973 Renault is usually shaped more by the car’s age, light weight, braking performance, suspension condition, and overall mechanical health than by those radial tire speed ratings alone.

That means safety comes from the whole package, not just the lettering on the sidewall. A fresh radial in the proper size may feel more familiar to modern drivers, while a bias-ply tire asks for an understanding of vintage handling behavior and careful setup. Before sustained highway use, inspect the tires thoroughly, confirm pressures, and make sure the rest of the car is equally prepared for the trip.

Inflation pressure on a 1973 Renault should follow the factory recommendation for the car and the operating limits of the exact tire size you choose. Load-and-pressure markings appear on some bias-ply products: 560-13 reaches 850 pounds at 30 psi, and 600-13 reaches 1,010 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures describe the tire’s rated load condition and should not be transferred casually from one size to another or treated as the car’s universal running pressure.

The best approach is to start with the vehicle’s original pressure guidance, then make sure it remains compatible with the specific reproduction or radial tire you are using. A 155R13 radial, a 165R13 radial, and a 600-13 bias-ply should not be assumed to want the same pressure simply because they fit 13-inch wheels. Use the tire maker’s published operating guidance and the car’s manual together, especially if the car has been switched from its earlier tire type.

Before a longer drive in a 1973 Renault, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, tread separation, and uneven wear, and verify cold inflation pressure before leaving. Check the spare as well, because small vintage cars often rely heavily on a compact luggage area and may not have room for roadside improvisation. If the tire setup involves older wheels, pay close attention to valve stems, bead sealing, and any signs of corrosion around the rim.

Treat the tires as one part of a broader pre-trip review rather than the whole checklist. A 1973 Renault also deserves a look at brakes, wheel bearings, fluid levels, lights, and charging performance before asking it to run for a longer distance at steady speed. Getting those basics right reduces the chance that a simple tire issue becomes a trip-ending problem far from home.