1981 Subaru Tire Fitment Guide

1981 Subaru vehicles use three sizes: 155R13 for the Subaru DL, plus 175/70R13 and 185/70R13 for the Subaru GL. All three are radial tires and all three mount on 13-inch wheels. Rim-width support varies by size and product, with examples including 4.00 to 5.50 inches for 155R13, 4.5 to 6.0 inches for 175/70R13, and 4.5 to 6.5 inches across 185/70R13 offerings.

That means the first fitment question is not wheel diameter, but model identification. A DL owner should begin with 155R13, while a GL owner should focus on the 175/70R13 or 185/70R13 sizes associated with that model. Before choosing any reproduction or specialty radial, verify the wheel width on the car itself so the tire and wheel remain properly matched.

On a 1981 Subaru, 155R13 is a Euro-metric radial size. The 155 refers to a nominal section width of 155 millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. When no aspect ratio is shown in this style of size, it is conventionally treated as an 80-series type rather than a modern low-profile tire.

That size belongs to the 1981 Subaru DL rather than the GL, so it is important not to treat it as a year-wide Subaru size. For a buyer, the practical takeaway is simple: 155R13 points to the narrower DL fitment and should be paired with a wheel width that matches the selected tire’s approved range. It is a very different starting point from the GL’s wider 70-series options.

No. The 1981 Subaru DL uses 155R13, while the 1981 Subaru GL uses 175/70R13 or 185/70R13. All of those sizes share a 13-inch rim diameter, but they are not interchangeable as a blanket year-and-make fitment because the model split matters. Width and profile also change between the DL and GL sizes.

That distinction matters because many buyers know the year and make before they know the trim or model. On a 1981 Subaru, choosing by year alone can put you into the wrong size family. If the car is a GL, the decision becomes which of the two GL sizes matches your car and your preferred look; if it is a DL, the search should stay centered on 155R13.

Sidewall appearance varies quite a bit across 1981 Subaru sizes. The 155R13 and 175/70R13 choices are blackwall radials, while the 185/70R13 adds redline and wide whitewall alternatives alongside blackwall versions. That means sidewall style is mostly a GL consideration, especially for owners looking at the wider 185/70R13 size.

A blackwall usually looks most natural on a stock, understated early-1980s Subaru, especially one restored with an original-market feel in mind. Redline and wide whitewall treatments lean more toward custom taste than factory-authentic small-import presentation. If appearance is as important as fitment, choose the model first, then the size, then the sidewall style that matches the car’s intended character.

Michelin and Dunlop cover the 155R13 size used on the 1981 Subaru DL. Avon covers 175/70R13 for the 1981 Subaru GL, and the 185/70R13 GL size is available from BFGoodrich, Avon, and Dunlop. Those brand choices span everything from European-style performance radials to period-flavored American sidewall treatments.

Brand choice on a 1981 Subaru often comes down to the exact size you need and the look you want. A DL owner will be comparing Michelin against Dunlop in a compact blackwall radial, while a GL owner considering 185/70R13 has a broader visual range. Once the correct size is established, compare each brand’s sidewall style, speed rating, and approved wheel-width range before deciding.

For the 1981 Subaru GL in 185/70R13, BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial and Avon CR6ZZ serve different purposes. The BFGoodrich version appears in redline and wide whitewall styles, carries a 1,135-pound load figure at 35 psi, and fits 5.00- to 6.50-inch rims. The Avon CR6ZZ uses a blackwall presentation, carries an 86H marking, weighs 19.31 pounds, and fits 4.5- to 6.0-inch rims.

A buyer choosing between them is usually balancing appearance, wheel-width compatibility, and the kind of period impression the car should give. The BFGoodrich tire brings the strongest vintage-custom visual statement, while the Avon stays more restrained and performance-oriented in look. On a GL with original narrow wheels, the Avon’s lower minimum rim-width requirement may also matter.

Rim-width requirements on 1981 Subaru tires vary by size and sometimes by product. The 155R13 size supports wheel widths from 4.00 to 5.50 inches on the Michelin example. The 175/70R13 Avon CR6ZZ fits 4.5 to 6.0 inches, while 185/70R13 fitments span 4.5 to 6.5 inches depending on whether you are looking at Avon or BFGoodrich offerings.

Those ranges are important because all of the year’s tires share a 13-inch wheel diameter, so wheel width becomes the next fitment checkpoint. If your car still has its original wheels, measure or verify the actual width before selecting between GL sizes or between different 185/70R13 products. Staying inside the approved width range preserves the tire’s intended profile and behavior.

1981 Subaru tires are radial products, and tube marking can vary by size and product. One 155R13 option is marked TL, indicating a tubeless tire, while other examples do not carry the same marking in the size description. The 175/70R13 and 185/70R13 products here are modern radial designs, but the exact tube requirement should be confirmed on the specific tire and wheel combination you plan to use.

That matters most when original wheels have been refinished, repaired, or show corrosion around the bead area. Even with a tubeless tire, wheel condition and valve-stem integrity still determine whether the assembly can seal properly. Before mounting, verify the sidewall marking on the exact tire you choose and inspect the wheel carefully rather than assuming every 13-inch Subaru wheel should be treated the same way.

All three 1981 Subaru tire sizes use a 13-inch wheel, so they share rim diameter compatibility. That means the basic wheel diameter does not change between the DL’s 155R13 and the GL’s 175/70R13 or 185/70R13 sizes. The real limit is wheel width, because each size and some individual products have their own approved width range.

In practical terms, the original wheel may accept more than one 13-inch tire size, but that should never be assumed without checking width first. A wheel that suits a narrower DL tire may not be the best match for a wider GL fitment. If you are moving between Subaru model sizes or comparing multiple GL options, confirm the stamped or measured wheel width before mounting tires.

A stored 1981 Subaru should be kept out of direct sunlight, away from electric motors and ozone-producing equipment, and off damp ground whenever possible. Maintain proper inflation, keep the tires clean, and move the car periodically so the weight does not rest on one contact patch for months at a time. Because every size here is radial, long static storage is usually less punishing than with an old bias-ply tire, but flat spotting and sidewall aging can still develop.

Collectors who store a Subaru for winter or between events often do best with a cool, dry garage and either short periodic drives or occasional repositioning. If the car will sit for an extended period, many owners also reduce stress by using tire cradles or stands while keeping suspension considerations in mind. Good storage habits preserve both appearance and road manners.

On a 1981 Subaru, tire life should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage, especially on a collector or lightly used car. A prudent rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they are around five to seven years old and to treat the ten-year point as a strong replacement threshold even if tread depth still looks acceptable. The DOT date code on the tire is the quickest way to establish age.

That approach matters because low annual mileage can hide age-related hardening, cracking, or loss of grip. A Subaru that only comes out for fair-weather driving may still be riding on tires that are older than they appear. If the date code, sidewall condition, or ride quality raises questions, replacement should be considered before the next touring season rather than after a problem develops.

Tires on a 1981 Subaru should be checked before every drive, and they deserve a more thorough inspection before any longer trip. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, punctures, bulges, uneven wear, and pressure loss. Valve stems should also be examined closely, especially on a car that has spent years parked or has had multiple tire changes over its life.

Regular inspection matters because older compact cars often spend long periods idle and then return to service with little warning. A quick visual walkaround catches many problems before they become roadside issues. Before a weekend trip or highway run, add a pressure check, inspect the spare, and make sure each tire is holding air consistently rather than assuming a garage-kept car is ready to go.

The 1981 Subaru DL belongs to an era when radial tires were standard equipment on many compact imports, and its associated size here is 155R13. That makes a narrow radial with a 13-inch fitment the right starting point for an authentic DL restoration. Original-equipment brand selection could vary by market and supply, so the most reliable authenticity checkpoint is the size, radial construction, and understated sidewall appearance rather than assuming a single universal factory brand.

For a careful restoration, begin with the 155R13 size and compare the tire’s overall visual character to period brochures, road tests, and survivor cars. If you are building a show car, a marque club or Subaru enthusiast group can help verify market-specific details that went beyond the basic size itself. That extra research is especially worthwhile on uncommon Japanese imports from this period.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1981 Subaru, especially in preservation or authenticity-focused judging. Size, construction type, and sidewall appearance all affect whether the car looks right for its year and model. On a DL, a narrow blackwall radial aligns more naturally with the car’s original economy-car presentation, while on a GL the chosen 70-series size and sidewall treatment can noticeably change the period impression.

Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice tire details faster than owners expect, because they alter stance and visual balance immediately. A redline or wide whitewall on a GL may suit a personalized car, but it can also look out of place in a stock restoration context. Event rules vary, so check with the relevant club or judging body before finalizing a concours-level setup.

For the 1981 Subaru DL in 155R13, Michelin XAS and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet share the same basic radial size and both carry H-speed markings. The Michelin is marked 155HR13 78H TL, fits 4.00- to 5.50-inch rims, and weighs 20 pounds. The Dunlop appears as 155R13 78H, carries a 937-pound load figure, and also weighs 20 pounds.

That makes the comparison less about raw size and more about sidewall marking details, wheel compatibility confirmation, and the kind of period feel you want for the car. Both are blackwall radials suited to a stock-looking DL, but the Michelin’s tubeless marking and stated rim-width range may influence setup decisions. For a faithful restoration, many owners also compare tread appearance against period Subaru imagery.

1981 Subaru tires in these sizes are radial designs, and the products carrying speed markings include H-rated tires with a 130 mph ceiling and a V-rated 185/70R13 with a 149 mph ceiling. Those ratings are comfortably above normal highway use in the United States. On an early-1980s Subaru, the car’s brakes, suspension condition, alignment, and general mechanical health are usually more limiting in real-world touring than the tire’s published speed capability.

Safety on the road depends on using the correct size for the model, keeping pressures in the proper range, and making sure the tire is not aged out or damaged. A fresh, properly matched radial is entirely appropriate for regular fair-weather driving, but highway confidence comes from the whole package. Treat the tire as one part of the car’s overall readiness, not as a substitute for mechanical inspection.

Inflation pressure on a 1981 Subaru should follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation for the model and tire size, while also respecting the tire maker’s maximum load-and-pressure information where it is stated. In 185/70R13, BFGoodrich gives a 1,135-pound load figure at 35 psi. The 155R13 Dunlop carries a 937-pound maximum load figure, but that does not automatically make its pressure setting interchangeable with the GL sizes.

The key is not to transfer one tire’s pressure number to another size just because they all fit 13-inch wheels. Start with the Subaru recommendation for the exact model, then confirm the tire’s sidewall information and intended use. If the car is lightly driven and carefully restored, a correct pressure setting will do more for ride quality and tread life than chasing a one-number-fits-all answer.

Before a longer drive in a 1981 Subaru, inspect each tire for cracks, bulges, cuts, exposed cords, punctures, and uneven wear, then confirm cold inflation pressure. Check the valve stems, make sure the spare is usable, and verify that the chosen tire size matches the model. Because these cars are now decades old, tire readiness should be part of a broader check that includes brakes, fluids, belts, hoses, and wheel-bearing condition.

That extra attention matters even more on a vintage Subaru than on a modern daily driver, because age-related issues often appear after long storage or infrequent use. A tire that looks acceptable around town may reveal vibration or air-loss problems at sustained speed. Taking ten minutes for a thorough pre-trip inspection can prevent avoidable trouble and makes the car far more enjoyable once you are on the road.