1981 Nissan Tire Fitment Guide

1981 Nissan vehicles use seven sizes across six models: 185/70R14 for the 200SX and 810, 155R13 for the 210 and 310, 6.15R13 for the 210, 175/70R13 for the 210, 195/70R14 for the 280ZX, 165/70R13 for the 310, and 165R13 for the 510. The lineup spans both 13-inch and 14-inch rim diameters. Rim-width guidance is available for several sizes, including 185/70R14 at roughly 4.5 to 6.5 inches, 155R13 at 4.0 to 5.5 inches, 175/70R13 at 4.5 to 6.0 inches, and 165R13 at 4.5 to 6.0 inches.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a safe replacement decision on a 1981 Nissan. Start by confirming the exact model, then compare the size printed on the existing tire and the wheel diameter on the car. A 210 or 310 deserves extra attention because each can appear with more than one size, while a 280ZX or 510 is more straightforward once the model is identified.

On a 1981 Nissan, 155R13 is an older euro-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. When this style of size omits an aspect ratio, it is conventionally treated as an 80-series radial. In the 1981 Nissan range, 155R13 appears on the 210 and 310.

That makes 155R13 different from a modern fully expressed size such as 165/70R13 or 185/70R14, where the profile is stated directly. If your 1981 Nissan carries 155R13 on the sidewall, stay with that exact designation unless you are deliberately working through a model-specific substitute strategy with wheel and clearance checks. It is a narrow 13-inch fitment and should not be confused with 165R13, which belongs to the 510 in this lineup.

No. The 1981 Nissan lineup spreads across seven sizes, and several of them are model-specific. The 200SX and 810 share 185/70R14, while the 210 and 310 share 155R13, but the 210 also appears with 6.15R13 and 175/70R13, the 310 also appears with 165/70R13, the 280ZX uses 195/70R14, and the 510 uses 165R13.

That variation matters because wheel diameter and overall tire profile change from model to model. A buyer looking at 1981 Nissan tires should identify the model before worrying about brand or sidewall style. It is especially important on a 210 or 310, where more than one legitimate size exists, and where a tire choice that sounds close on paper may still be wrong for the actual wheel and factory fitment.

Most 1981 Nissan sizes are available as blackwall radials, which suit the period appearance of early-1980s Japanese cars. The one notable exception is 185/70R14, where both blackwall and wide whitewall choices exist. That means a 200SX or 810 owner has more visual flexibility than a 210, 280ZX, 310, or 510 owner, whose currently covered sizes stay in blackwall form.

For a 1981 Nissan 280ZX, 200SX, 210, 310, or 510, blackwall is generally the more natural look if you are keeping the car close to how Japanese-market and U.S.-market sporty or economy imports were commonly presented in this era. A whitewall 185/70R14 can make sense on an 810 if the goal is a more formal sedan presentation. Appearance should follow the character of the car, but the exact size still comes first.

1981 Nissan tire coverage includes BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, and Michelin. The 185/70R14 size is available from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, and Michelin; 155R13 comes from Michelin and Dunlop; 175/70R13 comes from Avon; 195/70R14 comes from Dunlop; and 165R13 comes from Michelin and Dunlop. Brand choice therefore depends heavily on the exact model and tire size rather than on the year and make alone.

That range gives some owners a broad field to choose from and leaves others with a more focused set of options. A 200SX or 810 owner shopping 185/70R14 can compare style and speed-marking differences across several brands, while a 280ZX owner using 195/70R14 has a much narrower path. Confirm the size first, then compare each brand's sidewall appearance, speed symbol, and rim-width guidance before settling on a final tire.

For a 1981 Nissan in 155R13 or 165R13, Michelin XAS-family tires and the Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet overlap in size but differ in details. In 155R13, Michelin is marked 155HR13 78H TL with a 4.00 to 5.50 inch rim-width range, while the Dunlop carries a 155R13 78H marking and a 937-pound load figure. In 165R13, Michelin appears in XAS and XAS-FF form, both marked 165HR13 82H TL with a 4.50 to 6.00 inch rim-width range, while Dunlop uses a 165R13 82H marking with a 1,047-pound load figure.

The practical difference is not that one automatically fits better than the other, but that their markings and supporting specs are not identical. Michelin clearly marks these examples as tubeless, while the Dunlop markings in these sizes do not state TL or TT. If you are matching a particular driving feel or trying to stay close to a certain period European-style radial presentation on a 510, 210, or 310, compare the exact sidewall marking and rim-width guidance before choosing.

Several 1981 Nissan sizes have clear rim-width guidance. The 185/70R14 tires cover approximately 4.5 to 6.5 inches depending on brand, with individual examples at 4.5 to 6.0, 4.50 to 6.00, and 5.00 to 6.50 inches. The 155R13 size works on 4.00 to 5.50 inch rims, the 175/70R13 size works on 4.5 to 6.0 inch rims, and the 165R13 size works on 4.50 to 6.00 inch rims.

Those ranges matter because a tire can be the correct diameter yet still be mismatched to the wheel if the rim is too narrow or too wide. Measure the wheel or confirm its stamped width before mounting a replacement on a 1981 Nissan. This is especially useful when a car has had wheels swapped over the years, which is common on 200SX, 280ZX, and 510 models that enthusiasts often personalize.

Inner-tube requirements vary by size and by product on a 1981 Nissan. In 185/70R14, Michelin is clearly marked TL, meaning tubeless. In 155R13 and 165R13, Michelin examples are also marked TL, while the Dunlop markings in those same sizes do not state TL or TT. The other covered sizes do not carry a tube-type marker here, so the safest approach is to confirm the exact sidewall marking on the tire you are considering.

That means tube choice should never be assumed from size alone. If your 1981 Nissan still runs original-style wheels, wheel condition and valve-stem style matter just as much as the tire marking. Match the tire's tube or tubeless designation to the actual wheel and intended setup, and inspect the wheel for corrosion, sealing condition, and valve-hole compatibility before final assembly.

A 1981 Nissan should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires protected from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment. Keep the tires properly inflated, move the car periodically to avoid long-term stress in one footprint area, and make sure moisture is not trapped under the tires or around the wheel openings. These are all radial sizes, which generally resist flat-spotting better than older bias-ply designs, but long static storage still ages rubber.

Collector cars such as a 280ZX, 510, or 810 often spend more time parked than driven, so storage habits matter as much as mileage. If the car will sit for an extended period, use a clean surface under the tires and consider occasional repositioning or properly placed stands that do not leave the suspension hanging unnaturally. Good storage preserves sidewalls, helps maintain ride quality, and reduces surprises when the car returns to the road.

On a lightly used 1981 Nissan, tire age is usually a more important replacement factor than tread wear. A practical collector-car rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach about five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of mileage. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the starting point for that timeline, even if the tread still looks healthy.

That matters because many older Nissans are driven only seasonally, and a tire can appear usable while the rubber has already hardened or cracked with age. A 200SX or 280ZX that sees higher-speed road use deserves especially careful age management, but the same principle applies to an economy model like a 210 or 310. Sidewall condition, pressure retention, ride feel, and visible aging should all weigh into the decision, not just remaining tread depth.

Tires on a 1981 Nissan should be checked before every drive, and they deserve a more thorough inspection before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, embedded objects, bulges, irregular wear, and pressure loss. If the tire uses a tubeless setup, inspect the valve stems and the wheel's sealing surfaces as part of the same routine, especially on wheels that may be decades old.

Regular inspection is one of the easiest ways to protect an older car that may not be used every day. A quick walkaround before taking a 510 to a show or a 280ZX on a weekend highway trip can catch problems before they become roadside failures. Include the spare in that routine as well, because the spare on a collector Nissan is often older than the four road tires and may be the least trustworthy tire on the car.

Yes, 1981 Nissan tires can be appropriate for highway driving when the correct size is fitted, the tire is in sound condition, and the speed rating matches the intended use. The covered sizes include H-rated examples with a 130 mph ceiling and V-rated examples with a 149 mph ceiling. That means the tire itself is not usually the limiting factor at ordinary U.S. highway speeds. On many 1981 Nissan models, overall mechanical condition, alignment, braking health, suspension wear, and age of the vehicle matter at least as much.

Highway confidence comes from the whole setup rather than the sidewall marking alone. A fresh 185/70R14 on a 200SX or 810, or a 195/70R14 on a 280ZX, still needs correct pressure, sound wheel condition, and a chassis that tracks straight. Before any sustained highway use, check for vibration, pull, uneven wear, and heat buildup after a short test drive so you know the car is behaving properly.

Inflation pressure on a 1981 Nissan should follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation first, with the tire maker's rated pressure used as a load reference rather than a blanket setting. Among the available tires, 185/70R14 examples include 1,201 pounds at 35 psi and 1,235 pounds on one Dunlop example, 155R13 includes 937 pounds on one Dunlop example, 195/70R14 includes 1,356 pounds on one Dunlop example, and 165R13 includes 1,047 pounds on one Dunlop example. Those figures are specific to those individual tires and should not be transferred from one size to another.

The right pressure depends on the exact model, axle loading, and tire selected. A 280ZX on 195/70R14 should not be inflated by borrowing numbers from a 510 on 165R13, and a 200SX with 185/70R14 should still be checked against the car's factory guidance. Use the owner's manual or door-jamb information where available, then confirm that the chosen pressure stays within the tire manufacturer's operating guidance for that specific tire.

Before a longer drive in a 1981 Nissan, inspect all four tires and the spare for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and correct cold inflation pressure. Make sure the valve stems are sound, the lug hardware is secure, and the wheels show no obvious damage or severe corrosion. If the car has sat for a while, check that each tire is holding pressure consistently and that there is no vibration or pull during a short local test drive.

A longer trip in an older Nissan also calls for a broader mechanical review. Verify brakes, fluid levels, belts, hoses, lights, and cooling-system condition, because a dependable tire cannot compensate for neglected chassis or drivetrain maintenance. The goal is to treat the tires as one part of the car's overall road readiness, whether you are taking a 210 across town, a 510 to an event, or a 280ZX on a more serious weekend run.