1977 Renault Tire Fitment Guide

1977 Renault vehicles use five tire sizes: 145R13, 155R13, 165R13, 560-13, and 600-13. All of them fit within the same Renault model family for this year, and every size mounts on a 13-inch rim. Rim-width ranges vary by size and product, with 560-13 commonly paired with 3.50- to 4.50-inch rims depending on brand, 600-13 with 4.00- to 4.50-inch rims, 145R13 with 4.00- to 5.00-inch rims, 155R13 with 4.00- to 5.50-inch rims, and 165R13 with 4.50- to 6.00-inch rims.

That means the first checkpoint is not wheel diameter, since every option here is a 13-inch tire. The real decision is which specific size your car was equipped to use and whether you want a radial blackwall or a bias-ply whitewall presentation. Checking the size already on the car, the wheel width, and any original handbook or service information is the best way to narrow the choice before moving on to a particular brand or series.

On a 1977 Renault tire, 560-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.60 figure is the nominal section width in inches, written without a decimal point in modern shorthand, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a metric radial code, and it does not identify an aspect ratio the way a modern metric tire would.

That matters because a 560-13 carries a different look and construction philosophy from a 145R13, 155R13, or 165R13 radial. Buyers who are restoring a Renault for a more traditional whitewall appearance often gravitate toward the numeric bias-ply sizes, while owners who want the feel of a later-era radial usually focus on the metric blackwall choices. The code tells you both the size family and the kind of tire you are considering.

On a 1977 Renault tire, 155R13 is a metric radial size. The 155 is the section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. Because no aspect ratio is printed in the code, this style is conventionally treated as an 80-series metric radial format.

That makes 155R13 easier for a modern buyer to place in context than a numeric bias-ply size, but it still needs to be matched carefully to the wheel. For a 1977 Renault, this size sits between the narrower 145R13 and the wider 165R13 radial choices. If the goal is to keep the car in an era-correct European radial family, understanding that code helps you choose the right width before you compare brands.

Within the 1977 Renault range covered here, one Renault model family appears, but it does not use just one tire size. Five sizes are associated with the year and make: 145R13, 155R13, 165R13, 560-13, and 600-13. All of them share a 13-inch rim diameter, yet they differ in section width and, just as importantly, in construction type between radial and bias-ply.

For a buyer, that means year and make alone are not enough to settle the decision. You still need to confirm the size that belongs on your particular car or on the wheels currently installed, then decide whether the car is being kept visually period-correct with a whitewall bias-ply or driven in a way that makes a radial more attractive. The overlap in rim diameter makes comparison easier, but it does not make every size interchangeable.

The 560-13 and 145R13 serve different purposes on a 1977 Renault even though both mount on 13-inch wheels. The 560-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire offered with whitewall styling, while the 145R13 is a metric radial offered as a blackwall. That makes the choice less about simple wheel diameter and more about the kind of appearance and construction you want on the car.

A buyer restoring a Renault with a stronger vintage visual character may prefer the 560-13, especially when a whitewall presentation is part of the plan. A buyer who wants a later-style European radial format for regular road use will usually lean toward the 145R13. The right answer depends on whether your priority is period presentation or staying within the radial style that better reflects many late-1970s driving expectations.

1977 Renault tire choices break cleanly by construction and sidewall style. The radial sizes 145R13, 155R13, and 165R13 come as blackwalls, while the bias-ply sizes 560-13 and 600-13 are available with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments. That gives the year and make both a more understated European look and a more stylized vintage presentation, depending on size.

For most 1977 Renault owners, blackwall radials will look the most naturally in step with a compact European car of the period. Whitewall bias-ply tires create a more overtly classic appearance and can suit a car built for show display or a particular restoration theme. If visual authenticity matters, compare the car’s market, trim character, and period photos before choosing between blackwall radial and whitewall bias-ply styles.

Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone all make tires for 1977 Renault applications. Michelin and Dunlop cover the radial sizes 155R13 and 165R13, Michelin and Firestone cover 145R13, BFGoodrich and Firestone cover 560-13, and BFGoodrich covers 600-13. The brand mix also follows the construction split, with the radial sizes centered on blackwall European-style offerings and the bias-ply sizes centered on classic whitewall lines.

That gives 1977 Renault owners a useful spread of choices depending on what kind of car they are building. A Renault kept close to its late-1970s European personality will usually point you toward Michelin or Dunlop radial patterns, while a more stylized collector presentation opens the door to BFGoodrich or Firestone bias-ply whitewalls. Once you settle on size and construction, brand choice becomes much easier to sort out.

Rim-width requirements for 1977 Renault tires depend on the size you choose. 560-13 fits rims from 3.50 to 4.00 inches in one BFGoodrich version and 4.00 to 4.50 inches in the Firestone version. 600-13 fits 4.00- to 4.50-inch rims, 145R13 fits 4.00- to 5.00-inch rims, 155R13 fits 4.00- to 5.50-inch rims, and 165R13 fits 4.50- to 6.00-inch rims.

Those ranges are the reason wheel diameter alone is not enough when comparing tire sizes for a 1977 Renault. Before choosing a tire, measure the wheel width or confirm it from the wheel itself, especially if the car has been changed over the years. Moving from a narrow bias-ply size to a wider radial may require a different approved rim-width range even though the rim diameter remains 13 inches.

The radial sizes for 1977 Renault applications are tubeless in the products marked TL, including the Michelin radial offerings in 145R13, 155R13, and 165R13. The bias-ply sizes 560-13 and 600-13 do not carry TL markings in the available offerings, so they should be treated as tube-type applications unless the specific tire and wheel combination clearly states otherwise. That makes tube status different across the year’s size range rather than uniform.

The practical step is to match the tire not only to the car, but also to the wheel design actually on the vehicle. Original-style wheels, rim condition, and whether the wheel was intended for tubeless service all matter. If you are choosing one of the bias-ply sizes, confirm tube needs before installation so you can plan for the correct tube, flap if required, and valve-stem arrangement.

All five tire sizes used on 1977 Renault applications here share the same 13-inch rim diameter, so they are compatible with the same wheel diameter. That does not automatically mean every 13-inch Renault wheel is correct for every one of those sizes, because approved rim-width ranges differ meaningfully from one tire size to another. A 560-13 bias-ply and a 165R13 radial ask for different wheel widths even though both are 13-inch tires.

That is why the best practice is to verify the actual wheel width before assuming one size can replace another. If your Renault still wears its original wheels, you may be able to compare that width directly against the tire’s approved range. If the wheels have been changed at any point in the car’s life, confirm the wheel first and then choose the tire, rather than working the other way around.

A 1977 Renault should be stored away from direct sunlight, standing water, and ozone sources such as electric motors, battery chargers, and certain shop equipment. Keep the tires at proper inflation, move the car periodically if possible, and avoid letting it sit for long periods on one contact patch. When both radial and bias-ply tires are part of the discussion, bias-ply designs are generally more prone to flat spotting during static storage.

For longer layups, many collectors either roll the car occasionally or support it in a way that reduces constant load on the tires, while still keeping the suspension appropriately settled if desired. Clean, dry storage matters just as much as mileage for a lightly used Renault. Good storage habits preserve the tire’s shape, reduce cosmetic aging, and make the car more ready for the next drive.

Tires on a 1977 Renault are best judged by age and condition rather than by mileage alone, especially on collector cars that are driven sparingly. A sensible rule is to begin close inspection once a tire reaches roughly five to seven years of age and to treat about ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of tread depth. The DOT date code on the tire is the starting point for that timeline.

Low annual mileage can make older tires look serviceable long after the rubber has begun to harden. That is particularly important on a vintage Renault, where predictable ride and braking depend on a tire that still retains its intended flexibility. Even if the tread appears healthy, age-related cracking, separation concerns, and loss of compound resilience are stronger reasons to replace a collector-car tire than simple wear percentage.

Tires on a 1977 Renault should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread damage, uneven wear, bulges, and signs that the tire is losing pressure. If the car uses a tube-type bias-ply setup, pay extra attention to valve stems and any symptoms that suggest slow leaks or heat-related stress inside the assembly.

Frequent inspection matters more on collector vehicles because long gaps between drives can hide age-related problems until the car is back on the road. A quick walkaround and pressure check takes only a few minutes and can catch issues before they become a failure at speed. On a smaller, lighter 1977 Renault, healthy tires are a major part of keeping the car feeling stable and trustworthy in normal use.

For a 1977 Renault Renault, radial construction was a normal part of the late-1970s European small-car landscape, and the radial sizes here—145R13, 155R13, and 165R13—fit that broader historical context very well. Numeric bias-ply sizes such as 560-13 and 600-13 also exist in the fitment range, but they present a more traditional construction and styling approach. No specific original-equipment brand should be assumed unless you have factory literature or surviving market-specific evidence for your exact car.

If originality is the goal, start by confirming what market version of the 1977 Renault you own and how it was originally equipped. Renault sold cars in different markets with different presentation details, and tire choice can be one of them. A marque club, period brochure, or factory workshop material is the best next step when you want to verify not just the size, but the expected construction and sidewall appearance.

Correct tire fitment matters for showing a 1977 Renault because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall treatment immediately. A blackwall metric radial usually aligns more naturally with the late-1970s European compact look, while a wide whitewall bias-ply can change the car’s visual character considerably. Even when a tire physically fits the wheel, a mismatch in style or construction can stand out in an originality-focused setting.

For display judged on authenticity, aim to match the car’s market identity and period appearance as closely as possible. That may mean choosing a metric radial format over a numeric bias-ply, or selecting a narrower visual treatment rather than a more dramatic whitewall. Event standards vary, so it is wise to check with the hosting club or Renault marque community before finalizing a tire choice for concours use.

For the 1977 Renault, Michelin XAS-family tires and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet tires overlap in the 155R13 and 165R13 radial sizes. Both appear as blackwall radials with H speed ratings to 130 mph, while the Michelin 155HR13 fits 4.00- to 5.50-inch rims and the Michelin 165HR13 fits 4.50- to 6.00-inch rims. The Dunlop examples carry stated load figures of 937 pounds in 155R13 and 1,047 pounds in 165R13.

In practical terms, these are two period-appropriate radial paths for a 1977 Renault owner who wants a European-style blackwall tire rather than a bias-ply whitewall. The choice often comes down to the exact size your wheel supports and the visual or brand preference you have for the finished car. If the car is being judged, compare the tread and appearance to period photos; if it is being driven regularly, confirm the size and rim-width match first.

1977 Renault tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are in sound condition, properly installed, and used within their rated limits. The radial sizes here carry H speed ratings, which correspond to 130 mph, while the bias-ply sizes use an S marking on some products, which corresponds to 112 mph. In normal collector use, the tire’s rating is only one part of the equation, because the car’s age, brakes, suspension condition, alignment, and overall mechanical state matter just as much.

A well-sorted 1977 Renault driven sensibly on fresh, correctly chosen tires is a very different proposition from one running on aged rubber with questionable setup. Bias-ply and radial tires will also give the car a different road feel, so the safest choice is the one that fits the wheel properly and suits how the car will actually be used. Highway confidence starts with condition, inflation, and honest speed expectations, not just the sidewall code.

Inflation pressure for 1977 Renault tires should be matched to the exact tire size and product, not borrowed from another size in the same year range. The available load-and-pressure figures include 560-13 at 850 pounds at 30 psi, 600-13 at 1,010 pounds at 32 psi, and 145R13 at 825 pounds at 44 psi on the Firestone radial example. Those figures describe tire capacity at stated pressures, but they are not a blanket vehicle recommendation for every Renault setup.

The best approach is to start with the factory vehicle recommendation for your specific Renault and then compare that against the tire manufacturer’s guidance for the exact reproduction or replacement tire you are using. That keeps you from overgeneralizing between very different constructions and sizes. If the car has non-original wheels, carries unusual load, or has been modified, rechecking pressure strategy becomes even more important.

Before taking a 1977 Renault on a longer drive, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and do not forget the spare. Check valve stems closely, especially if the car uses a tube-type bias-ply setup, and make sure wheel fasteners are secure. A longer drive in a vintage Renault also calls for a broader mechanical once-over that includes brakes, fluid levels, cooling, steering, and charging condition.

Tires are often the first age-sensitive component to reveal that a car has been sitting, even when the rest of the vehicle seems ready. Giving them a thorough check before departure helps you catch problems at home instead of at roadside speeds. On a car like a 1977 Renault, where modest size and light weight reward proper setup, careful pre-drive inspection does more to improve confidence than any single accessory you could pack.