1978 Honda Tire Fitment Guide

1978 Honda vehicles use five tire sizes across two models. The Accord uses 155R13 and 560-13, both on 13-inch rims. The Civic uses 155R12 and 6.00-12 on 12-inch rims, plus 155R13 and 6.15-13 on 13-inch rims. Rim width ranges are confirmed for 155R13 at 4.00 to 5.50 inches and for 560-13 at 3.50 to 4.50 inches depending on the tire.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a safe selection on a 1978 Honda. Accord owners can focus on 13-inch fitments, while Civic owners need to verify both the model and the wheel diameter already on the car. Once that is settled, the choice narrows to the correct size and whether you want a radial or a bias-ply construction.

On a 1978 Honda, 560-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 560 portion is the nominal section width designation used in older numeric sizing, and the 13 means the tire mounts on a 13-inch wheel. It is a bias-ply format rather than a radial format, and on 1978 Honda applications it belongs to the Accord.

That older-style size matters because it points you toward a different driving feel and a different visual character than a 155R13 radial. Whitewall choices are also available in 560-13, which makes it especially useful for an owner restoring an Accord with a more period-authentic appearance. Before choosing it, confirm that the car still wears the correct 13-inch wheel and that the wheel width falls within the tire's approved range.

No, 1978 Honda models do not all use the same tire size. The Accord uses 155R13 and 560-13, while the Civic spans four sizes: 155R12, 6.00-12, 155R13, and 6.15-13. The only size shared across both models is 155R13, and even that does not mean every Accord or Civic left the factory on the same tire.

This is why model identification matters so much on a year-make page like this one. If you own a Civic, you also need to verify whether the car is on 12-inch or 13-inch wheels, because that determines which family of tire sizes applies. Shared year and make does not guarantee shared fitment across the whole 1978 Honda range.

For a 1978 Honda, that choice applies to the Accord, since both 155R13 and 560-13 fit that model's 13-inch wheel diameter. The 155R13 is a radial size available in blackwall form from Michelin and Dunlop, while the 560-13 is a bias-ply size available from BFGoodrich and Firestone with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options. The difference is mainly construction type and period appearance, not simply diameter.

An Accord aimed at authentic late-1970s presentation often leans toward the bias-ply 560-13, especially when whitewall styling matters to the finished look. A regularly driven Accord owner may prefer the radial 155R13 because it keeps the car in a more modern radial format while staying within an era-appropriate size family. The right answer depends on whether your priority is restoration character or day-to-day road behavior.

1978 Honda tire choices include both blackwall and whitewall styles, depending on the size. The 155R13 radial is available in blackwall form, while the 560-13 bias-ply comes in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions. Those whitewall options are associated with the Accord's bias-ply fitment rather than the shared radial size.

For a late-1970s Honda, blackwall tires usually suit a more mainstream factory-style look, especially on practical compact imports of the period. Whitewalls can still make sense when you are chasing a specific appearance or restoring a car with a more personalized period presentation. Sidewall style should be chosen with the overall look of the car in mind, but only after you have confirmed the correct size and wheel diameter.

Four brands cover the active product range for 1978 Honda fitments here: Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Michelin and Dunlop supply the 155R13 radial, while BFGoodrich and Firestone supply the 560-13 bias-ply. That gives the shared 13-inch Honda fitments coverage from both European-style radial names and traditional American classic-tire brands.

Brand choice often follows the kind of car you are building. An owner leaning toward a radial setup may focus on the period sporting and touring character associated with Michelin or Dunlop, while a bias-ply restoration may center on BFGoodrich or Firestone for traditional whitewall presentation. It still makes sense to narrow the search by model and size first, then compare brands within that exact fitment.

Rim width requirements vary by tire size on 1978 Honda applications. The 155R13 radial fits a 13-inch rim and works with wheel widths from 4.00 to 5.50 inches. The 560-13 bias-ply also fits a 13-inch rim, with approved widths ranging from 3.50 to 4.50 inches depending on the specific tire. Those ranges are not interchangeable assumptions between sizes, even when the rim diameter matches.

Wheel width is an important final check before committing to a tire, especially on older Hondas that may have had wheels changed over the years. A radial and a bias-ply can share the same rim diameter while preferring different wheel widths. Measure the actual wheel on the car or verify it through a trusted Honda source if there is any question about what is currently fitted.

Inner-tube requirements on 1978 Honda tires depend on the exact product and size. The Michelin 155R13 is explicitly marked TL, meaning tubeless, while the broader 155R13 group varies by product because not every product string carries the same marking. Tube status for the 560-13 products is not presented with a uniform TT or TL marking in the size description, so the exact tire marking should be checked before installation.

That matters because tube fitment should never be assumed from size alone on a collector car. Tire construction, wheel design, and the product's own sidewall designation all need to agree. When you are setting up a 1978 Honda, confirm tube use at the individual tire level and make sure the valve stem and wheel condition match the final installation method.

A 1978 Honda should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone sources that can accelerate rubber aging. Keep the tires properly inflated and move the car occasionally so the same section of tread is not carrying the load for months at a time. Bias-ply tires are generally more prone to flat-spotting during long static storage than radials.

If the car will sit for an extended period, some owners use tire cradles or appropriately placed stands to reduce load on the tires, but the suspension should still be supported correctly. Clean, dry surfaces are better than bare dirt or damp concrete. Collector Hondas reward careful storage because the tires often age out long before they wear out.

Tires on a 1978 Honda should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. A collector car tire often deserves close evaluation once it reaches the five- to seven-year range, and many owners treat around ten years from the date code as the point where replacement becomes a serious consideration even if tread remains. That principle applies whether the car wears radial or bias-ply tires.

Low annual mileage can give a false sense of security because rubber hardens and ages even when the car is rarely driven. Check the DOT date code on the tire, then inspect for cracking, deformation, vibration, or loss of pressure. A lightly used 1978 Honda may have tires that look acceptable at a glance but are no longer the right choice for regular road use.

Tires on a 1978 Honda deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more thorough inspection before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, weather checking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure between drives. If the setup uses tubes, valve stems and tube-related leakage points also deserve attention during routine checks.

Regular inspections are especially important on older compact cars because they are often driven less frequently and can sit for long periods between outings. Catching a pressure loss or sidewall problem early is far easier than discovering it on the road. If the car begins to shimmy, pull, or feel different than usual, inspect the tires before assuming the problem lies elsewhere.

A 1978 Honda Accord could be found with either radial or bias-ply sizing depending on configuration, with 155R13 and 560-13 both associated with the model. By the late 1970s, radial tires were well established in the market, but bias-ply sizes still appeared in replacement and period-correct fitment conversations for many compact cars. Original-equipment brand should not be assumed without checking Honda literature or marque-specific references.

For an accurate restoration, start by confirming the car's wheel diameter and the kind of presentation you are trying to achieve. A 155R13 radial tends to suit a later-1970s import look, while a 560-13 bias-ply can be appropriate when period-style construction and whitewall appearance are part of the goal. Honda clubs, factory brochures, and unrestored survivor cars are the best references for market-specific authenticity.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1978 Honda because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction, and sidewall style even before they study finer details. A Civic shown on the wrong wheel diameter, or an Accord wearing a construction type that does not match the restoration's intent, can look noticeably out of character. Whitewall versus blackwall presentation can also affect how authentic the finished car appears.

The standard is not the same at every event, so it helps to decide whether the car is being restored for concours-level scrutiny, period street style, or simply tasteful preservation. A marque club or show rulebook can tell you how strict the expectations are for radial versus bias-ply construction and sidewall appearance. Tire choice is one of the easiest visual details to get right early in a restoration.

On the 1978 Honda Accord, BFGoodrich and Firestone both offer the 560-13 as a bias-ply tire, but they differ in presentation and wheel-width range. BFGoodrich versions come in both 1.00-inch narrow whitewall and 2.25-inch wide whitewall form, each carrying an 850-pound-at-30-psi load rating and a 3.50 to 4.00-inch rim width range. The Firestone 560-13 comes as a 2.25-inch wide whitewall with the same 850-pound-at-30-psi load figure and a 4.00 to 4.50-inch rim width range.

That makes the choice partly visual and partly wheel-dependent. If your Accord has a narrower wheel, the BFGoodrich fitment range may align more closely, while a slightly wider wheel can point toward the Firestone option. The whitewall width also changes the overall look of the car, so restoration style and actual wheel measurement should be considered together rather than separately.

1978 Honda tires can be appropriate for highway use when the correct size, condition, and construction are matched to the car and the tire's own rating. The 155R13 radial products here carry H speed ratings, which correspond to a 130 mph ceiling. Bias-ply options such as the 560-13 should be treated in line with their construction and intended collector-car use rather than compared directly to modern high-speed passenger tires.

Real-world safety in a 1978 Honda depends on more than the tire alone. Brakes, suspension condition, alignment, wheel condition, and the age of the rubber all matter at least as much as the speed symbol. On a well-maintained Accord or Civic used at normal road speeds, the mechanical condition of the whole car is usually the bigger concern than reaching the tire's upper rated limit.

Inflation pressure on a 1978 Honda should follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation first, then be checked against the tire maker's own maximum pressure information where that is stated. For the 560-13 bias-ply options, the available load figure is 850 pounds at 30 psi. Pressure and load figures should stay tied to the exact size and product rather than being borrowed across the whole 1978 Honda range.

That is especially important here because 1978 Honda fitments span multiple sizes, wheel diameters, and two construction types. The correct running pressure for a Civic 12-inch fitment should not be guessed from an Accord 13-inch tire, and a radial should not automatically be inflated like a bias-ply. Check the owner's manual, the tire sidewall, and the product's published specifications before setting final pressure.

Before a longer drive in a 1978 Honda, inspect each tire for visible cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper cold inflation pressure. Verify that the spare is serviceable, the valve stems are sound, and any tube-type setup is holding air properly. On an older Honda, it also makes sense to look over the wheels for damage or corrosion that could affect sealing or balance.

Tires are only one part of the pre-drive routine on a car of this age. A longer trip also calls for checking brakes, steering play, wheel bearings, fluids, belts, and basic electrical reliability so the car's overall condition matches the confidence you place in the tires. Even a compact, dependable 1978 Honda benefits from a full once-over before it is asked to cover real distance.