1979 Honda Tire Fitment Guide

1979 Honda vehicles use six sizes across three model lines. The Accord uses 165R13, the Prelude uses 175/70R13, and the Civic uses 155R12, 6.00-12, 155R13, or 6.15-13 depending on the application. Those sizes do not all share the same rim diameter, because the Civic appears in both 12-inch and 13-inch fitments while the Accord and Prelude use 13-inch rims.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a confident tire choice on a 1979 Honda. Start by identifying whether you have an Accord, Civic, or Prelude, then verify whether the car is on a 12-inch or 13-inch wheel before comparing construction type or sidewall style. On a Civic, that extra step matters most because both bias-ply and radial sizes appear within the model line.

On a 1979 Honda, 6.00-12 is a traditional numeric bias-ply tire size. The first number, 6.00, is the nominal section width in inches, and the 12 is the wheel diameter in inches. Unlike a modern metric radial size, it does not spell out a metric section width or an R for radial construction, so the format itself points you toward an older bias-ply fitment style.

That matters mainly on the 1979 Honda Civic, where a numeric 12-inch bias-ply size and a metric 12-inch radial size are not the same type of tire even though they fit the same wheel diameter. Owners restoring a Civic to a more period-correct appearance often look to the numeric bias-ply format, while drivers wanting the behavior of a radial usually stay with the metric radial size already fitted to their wheels.

No, 1979 Honda models do not use one shared tire size across the whole lineup. The Accord uses 165R13, the Prelude uses 175/70R13, and the Civic spans four sizes: 155R12, 6.00-12, 155R13, and 6.15-13. The Civic is also the only 1979 Honda model here that crosses both radial and bias-ply construction types.

For a buyer, that means the exact model is the first sorting step, not an afterthought. Accord and Prelude owners usually narrow the choice quickly because each model centers on one size, while Civic owners need to confirm both wheel diameter and whether the car should remain on a bias-ply setup or a radial setup. That prevents ordering a tire that is correct for the year but wrong for the actual model or wheel.

For a 1979 Honda Civic, 155R13 and 6.15-13 both fit 13-inch wheels, but they are different constructions. The 155R13 is a radial, while the 6.15-13 is a bias-ply size. That makes the choice less about wheel diameter and more about whether you are trying to preserve an earlier factory-style look and feel or keep the car on a radial setup.

A Civic restored for period appearance often points buyers toward the 6.15-13 bias-ply, especially if the rest of the car is being kept close to its original presentation. A Civic that is already running radial tires or is driven more regularly often leads owners toward 155R13. The key is to match the tire type to the wheel and the car's intended use rather than switching formats casually.

The available 1979 Honda products here are blackwall tires. That includes the 165R13 radial options for the Accord, the 155R13 radial options for the Civic, and the 175/70R13 radial option for the Prelude. Blackwall styling is consistent with the practical, late-1970s import-car character of Honda's compact lineup.

For most 1979 Honda buyers, that means the sidewall decision is simpler than it would be on a full-size American classic with whitewall choices. The more important visual and authenticity decision usually comes down to tire format and construction, especially on the Civic where both numeric bias-ply and metric radial sizing appear. If you are restoring for shows, make sure the sidewall treatment and construction both fit the class standards you plan to enter.

Michelin, Dunlop, and Avon all make tires for 1979 Honda vehicles within these sizes. The Accord's 165R13 is available from Michelin and Dunlop, the Civic's 155R13 is available from Michelin and Dunlop, and the Prelude's 175/70R13 is available from Avon. Brand coverage varies by size rather than being identical across the whole 1979 Honda lineup.

That means the brand conversation starts after you confirm the correct size for the model. Accord and Civic owners looking at 13-inch radial sizes have more than one brand choice, while Prelude owners in 175/70R13 are focused on a single radial option. If you are comparing products within the same size, look at construction, speed rating, and approved rim-width range before treating two brand names as interchangeable.

Several 1979 Honda sizes carry clear rim-width guidance. The 165R13 radial used on the Accord fits 4.50- to 6.00-inch rims, the 155R13 radial used on the Civic fits 4.00- to 5.50-inch rims, and the 175/70R13 radial used on the Prelude fits 4.5- to 6.0-inch rims. All three of those are 13-inch tires, but each has its own approved width span.

That is why wheel diameter alone is not enough when you are reviving or modifying an older Honda. Even within the same 13-inch diameter, an Accord, Civic, and Prelude do not automatically share the same ideal wheel width. Measure the actual wheel or confirm its specification before mounting a replacement tire, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels or a long-ago wheel swap.

The available radial products for the 1979 Honda Accord and Civic in 165R13 and 155R13 are tubeless. The 165R13 Michelin products are marked TL, and the 155R13 Michelin product is also marked TL. The remaining Civic bias-ply sizes and the 155R12 radial do not carry enough product detail here to make a blanket tube statement across every 1979 Honda size.

Inner-tube decisions should always follow the exact tire marking and the wheel design, not a broad assumption based only on model year. If your 1979 Honda still uses original wheels, inspect the rim condition and valve area carefully before mounting new rubber. If you are working with a Civic on an older bias-ply setup, confirm the tire's sidewall marking and wheel suitability before deciding whether tubes belong in the final assembly.

Original 1979 Honda Civic wheels can only be shared between sizes that use the same rim diameter. A 12-inch wheel can take the Civic's 155R12 or 6.00-12 sizes, while a 13-inch wheel can take the Civic's 155R13 or 6.15-13 sizes. A 12-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 13-inch wheel, and a 13-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 12-inch wheel.

Within each diameter group, the next checkpoint is wheel width and tire construction rather than diameter alone. That is especially important on a Civic because Honda offered both radial and bias-ply fitments in the same model line. If the car has changed hands many times, confirm the wheel's actual diameter and width before assuming the tire currently on the car reflects the original setup.

A stored 1979 Honda should be kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, furnaces, and other ozone sources that accelerate sidewall aging. Clean, dry concrete is better than damp ground, and stable temperatures are better than repeated hot-cold cycling. Bias-ply tires, such as the Civic's numeric sizes, are especially prone to flat-spotting during long static storage, while radials generally recover more quickly after sitting.

For a collector Honda that sits for weeks or months at a time, inflate the tires properly, roll the car periodically, or use stands if storage will be extended. That helps preserve the shape of the casing and reduces stress on one section of the tread. If you keep a spare in the car, inspect and protect it the same way, because age and storage conditions matter even when the tire is rarely used.

On a 1979 Honda, tire age usually matters more than tread wear because many surviving cars are driven lightly. A sensible rule is to inspect closely once a tire reaches five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration, even if the tread still looks usable. The DOT date code on the sidewall is the starting point for that timeline.

That approach is especially important for collector cars that may spend long periods parked indoors and appear visually sound at a glance. A low-mileage tire can still harden, crack, or lose structural confidence simply from age. If your 1979 Honda came to you with older tires and no clear installation history, checking the date codes is often more useful than judging the tire by remaining tread depth alone.

Tires on a 1979 Honda should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly before any longer outing. Look for cracking, bulges, punctures, uneven tread wear, and signs of pressure loss, and check that the valve stems remain sound. If the car uses an older bias-ply setup or tube-type assembly, the condition of the tube-related hardware and stem area deserves extra attention.

Frequent inspection matters because a lightly used vintage Honda can go weeks between drives, and age-related issues often show up before mileage-related wear does. A quick walk-around before local use and a fuller pressure-and-condition check before highway travel helps catch problems early. Include the spare in that routine so you are not depending on an aged or underinflated backup tire when it finally becomes necessary.

A 1979 Honda Accord used a 165R13 radial fitment, which matches the late-1970s shift toward radial tires on mainstream Japanese passenger cars. Radial construction was already well established by that point, especially on efficient imported compacts marketed for everyday driving. If you are chasing a highly exact restoration, marque clubs and factory literature remain the best way to verify market- or trim-specific details beyond the core size and construction.

For most restorations, getting the size, sidewall appearance, and construction type right will do more for authenticity than chasing minor branding assumptions. The available 165R13 choices keep the Accord within the correct radial category and proper 13-inch fitment family. If your car has been changed over the years, compare the current wheel and tire setup to period references before treating what is on the car now as original.

Correct tire fitment does matter when showing a 1979 Honda, especially in classes that judge originality closely. Size, construction type, sidewall appearance, and overall period appropriateness all affect whether a car looks right for its era. A Civic wearing a modern-looking radial when the class expects a bias-ply presentation, or a car on the wrong wheel diameter entirely, can stand out quickly to knowledgeable judges.

The strictness of that standard depends on the event, so local show rules and marque-club guidance are worth checking before final assembly decisions. A casual driver-class event may be more forgiving than a concours-oriented class. If authenticity is your priority, choose the size and construction that best matches the model's original character and confirm any show-specific expectations before spending time and money on a final tire setup.

The 1979 Honda Civic is the most varied model in the range because it appears with both radial and bias-ply sizing, in both 12-inch and 13-inch forms. That means there is no single one-size answer for every Civic body style or application. Period-correct fitment on a Civic depends heavily on the exact version of the car and the wheel it carried when new.

For restoration work, the first step is to identify which Civic configuration you have and whether the existing wheels are original to the car. A 6.00-12 or 6.15-13 numeric bias-ply size points toward a more traditional presentation, while 155R12 and 155R13 fitments keep the Civic in the radial family. Factory literature and Honda enthusiast resources can help settle which combination is most appropriate for a specific car.

1979 Honda tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, in good condition, and used within their construction and speed-rating limits. The available 165R13, 155R13, and 175/70R13 radial products here carry H speed ratings, which correspond to 130 mph. In real-world use, a properly maintained 1979 Honda will usually be constrained more by the vehicle's age, braking, suspension, and overall condition than by an H-rated reproduction radial at ordinary highway speeds.

Bias-ply Civic fitments deserve a little more respect for vintage-road behavior, especially in tracking, response, and long-sit flat-spot tendencies. That does not make them unusable; it simply means the driver should expect older tire manners and keep the rest of the car in equally sound condition. Before a longer highway run, check pressures, inspect the sidewalls, and be realistic about the pace and distances appropriate for a late-1970s vehicle.

Inflation pressure for a 1979 Honda should follow the vehicle's factory recommendation first, with the tire manufacturer's rated pressure understood as the tire's maximum-pressure context rather than an automatic everyday setting. Load information is available on some radial products, including 1,047 pounds for a 165R13 and 937 pounds for a 155R13. Those figures help describe the tire's capacity, but they do not replace the carmaker's pressure guidance for ride, handling, and wear.

Use the size that belongs on your exact model, then consult the owner's manual, door-jamb decal if present, and the tire's own sidewall marking before setting pressures. Do not transfer a favorite pressure from an Accord to a Civic, or from one size to another, simply because both are 13-inch tires. On an older Honda, correct pressure is part of preserving steering feel, braking balance, and tread life.

Before taking a 1979 Honda on a longer drive, inspect every tire for age cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and proper inflation. Check valve stems, confirm that the spare is usable, and make sure the wheel hardware is secure. If the car runs an older bias-ply Civic fitment or any tube-type assembly, pay extra attention to pressure stability and the condition around the stem area.

Tires are only one part of the pre-trip checklist on a car from 1979, but they are the part in direct contact with the road. It is wise to pair a tire inspection with a broader mechanical review that includes brakes, steering, fluids, belts, and lighting. That habit is especially valuable on a lightly used collector Honda, where age and storage can affect systems even when recent mileage is low.