1979 Volkswagen Passat Tire Size

Q: Can I fit winter tires in a different size on my 1979 Volkswagen Passat?

Yes — the standard winter-tire fitment pattern is one width step narrower than OEM (e.g. 225 → 215) with the aspect ratio bumped up to preserve overall diameter. Narrower tires increase contact pressure on snow for better traction. The Compatible alternative sizes table includes any winter-friendly options that fall within ±3% OD for this vehicle.

Approved fitments

Tire size	Rim size	PCD (bolt pattern)	Offset	Load index	Speed rating
165/80R13 OEM	5x13	N/A	45mm	83	T
175/70R14 OEM	5.5x14	N/A	42mm	N/A	N/A
185/65R14	5.5x14	N/A	42mm	N/A	N/A
195/60R14	6x14	N/A	38mm	N/A	N/A
195/55R15	6x15	N/A	38mm	N/A	N/A
195/50R16	6x16	N/A	38mm	N/A	N/A

Compatible alternative sizes for 165/80R13

Sizes within the ETRTO ±3% overall-diameter safe-fit tolerance. Each row links to the size's own page.

Alternative size	%Δ OD	Category	Verdict
`155/85R13`	-0.08%	winter narrower	Safe
`165/65R15`	0.22%	plus 2	Safe
`175/75R13`	-0.25%	wider	Safe
`185/65R14`	0.32%	plus 1	Safe
`175/60R15`	-0.54%	plus 2	Safe

For the full list of alternatives with comfort/handling impact, see 165/80R13 upsize options. To check an arbitrary size pair, use the tire compatibility calculator.

Check a different size against this vehicle

Type any tire size below; we'll compute its overall-diameter delta against the OEM 165/80R13 and verdict using the ETRTO ±3% rule.

Common upgrade paths

Plus-1: 185/65R14; one rim size up, 0.32% OD change. Sharper steering, mild ride penalty, modest cost premium.
Plus-2: 165/65R15; two rim sizes up, 0.22% OD change. Noticeable ride penalty, higher pothole risk, meaningful tire-cost premium.

Use the plus-size calculator to evaluate any rim step against the OEM size.

How to choose tires for the 1979 volkswagen passat

The 1979 Volkswagen Passat ships from the factory on 165/80R13 tires mounted on 5x13 wheels, with a load index of 83 and a speed rating of T. 6 approved fitments are documented for this model year, allowing some flexibility between performance, comfort, and winter compounds. The Compatible alternative sizes table above lists every safe substitution within the ETRTO ±3% overall-diameter tolerance.

Tire choice on the Volkswagen Passat comes down to three trade-offs that matter more than brand loyalty: load index (must equal or exceed the OEM number, in this case 83), speed rating (must match or exceed the placard, here T), and UTQG treadwear (higher means longer life, lower usually means stickier rubber). Owners replacing factory tires with the same compound class, for example all-season for all-season, generally see no change in ride characteristics or fuel economy. Switching categories (performance summer to all-season touring, for example) is where the trade-offs show up at the contact patch.

For 1979 Volkswagen Passat owners considering a plus-size upgrade, the safer option is a Plus-1 step (one rim size up with a 10-point aspect drop and ~10 mm of additional section width). Plus-2 is technically viable on this chassis if the alternative-sizes table lists a Plus-2 candidate within tolerance, but expect a meaningful ride-harshness penalty and a tire-cost premium of 30–60% per tire relative to the OEM fitment. For winter use the recommended pattern is one width step down (e.g. from a 235 to a 225) with the aspect ratio bumped up to preserve overall diameter; narrower tires apply higher contact pressure per square inch on snow, which translates directly into shorter braking distances. The plus-size calculator evaluates any specific rim step against this OEM size.

Before purchasing, verify the tire size on the driver-door placard of your specific 1979 Volkswagen Passat, since trim levels and option packages can shift the original fitment from what is documented here. The placard reading is the authoritative source per FMVSS 110, and dealers will reference the placard rather than aftermarket catalogs when validating warranty claims.

NHTSA-reported issues for 1979 volkswagen passat

110

Complaints

3

Crashes

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

Top issue category: Tires (General)

Most reported: Tires (General) (76) · Sidewall (13) · Tread / Belt (12) · TPMS (7) · Bead (1)

Reported across: 1990 – 2021 (23 years)

What owners described

Blowout or sudden deflation is the most common description, in 29% of these reports. Percentages are shares of the 80 reports covering every model year of the Volkswagen Passat that include a written account; a single report can describe more than one problem, so they do not total 100%.

Reported problem	This subject	All tire complaints	Relative
Blowout or sudden deflation	29%	20%	1.4×
Sidewall failure	15%	15%	1.0×
Bubble or bulge in the tire	11%	6%	1.9×
Cracking or dry rot	11%	9%	1.2×
Loss of control, rollover or collision	10%	8%	1.2×
Tread or belt separation	9%	13%	0.7×

Mileage at failure

28 of these reports state an odometer reading. The middle report is at 14,750 miles, with 8 in 10 falling between 2,500 and 80,000 miles.

In owners' own words

Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA about Volkswagen Passat. Reports are published by NHTSA as filed and are lightly cleaned here only to remove intake codes.

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH YOKOHAMA TIRES 8VID IN VIGOR 205/55/16. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE POPPED AND HE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED AAA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TIRE SHOP WHERE THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY HAVEN'T SEEN ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,269.

NHTSA complaint 1009202 · 2005 vehicle

I WAS DRIVING ON THE NORTHERN STATE PARKWAY GOING EAST AROUND 8 AM. THERE WAS CONSTRUCTION ALONGSIDE THE ROAD, AS WELL AS MANY POTHOLES. AS I WAS EXITING FOR THE LIE, THERE WAS A BIG POTHOLE THAT I COULD NOT AVOID. I HIT THE POTHOLE AND MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED.

NHTSA complaint 1075077 · 2014 vehicle

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK OPTIMO H426 TIRES, SIZE 215/55R17 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,727.

NHTSA complaint 1086066 · 2013 vehicle

NOTICED EXCESSIVE WEAR ON ALL FOUR TIRES. WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THEY SAID THE EXCESSIVE CUPPING AND FEATHERING WAS NOT A VOLKSWAGEN PROBLEM. I JUST NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ALL FOUR TIRES AT MY OWN EXPENSE. I WENT TO MY OWN MECHANIC AND THE EXCESSIVE CUPPING AND FEATHERING WAS NOT AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM OR PROBLEM INHERENT IN THE TIRE. THE WEIGHT IN THE REAR WAS TOO LIGHT. PROBABLY WHEN THE MANUFACTURER USED A LIGHT WEIGHT SMALL SPARE, THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE CHANGED AND CAUSED THE EXCESSIVE CUPPING AND FEATHERING. I ADDED A 40LB BAG OF PLAY SAND IN THE TRUNK OVER THE SMALL SPARE TIRE AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY EXCESSIVE CUPPING AND FEATHERING ISSUES SINCE.

NHTSA complaint 1088928 · 2010 vehicle

Complaints are voluntarily submitted to the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation and are not verified by NHTSA; they represent owner-reported problems, not proven defects. Counts can be useful as a relative quality signal across comparable tires or vehicles.

Frequently asked questions

What size tires fit a 1979 Volkswagen Passat?

The OEM tire size for the 1979 Volkswagen Passat is 165/80R13 mounted on 5x13 wheels. Load index 83, speed rating T. Trim levels and option packages can shift the original fitment; confirm against your specific vehicle's driver-door placard before purchase.

Can I run a different tire size on my 1979 Volkswagen Passat?

Plus-sizing (larger rim, lower aspect) is possible within ±3% of the OEM overall diameter per the ETRTO safe-fit standard. The Compatible alternative sizes table on this page lists every safe option for the OEM size. Always confirm with the manufacturer or a qualified tire shop before deviating from the placard.

Where can I buy tires for my 1979 Volkswagen Passat?

Online tire retailers in our affiliate network carry every size documented for this vehicle. Use the Shop online buttons above to compare prices across them; variance of $20–$40 per tire is common between merchants. The <a href="/tools/tire-install-cost-calculator/">install cost calculator</a> estimates the out-the-door including mount, balance, TPMS, and disposal by state.

What is the recommended tire pressure for the 1979 Volkswagen Passat?

The cold-inflation pressure is printed on the driver-door placard of your specific vehicle and varies by trim, tire size, and loaded vs unloaded condition. Typical OEM front and rear pressures fall between 30 and 36 psi for passenger trims and 32–40 psi for SUV/truck variants, but the placard is the authoritative source.

Can I fit winter tires in a different size on my 1979 Volkswagen Passat?

Yes; the standard winter-tire fitment pattern is one width step narrower than OEM (e.g. 225 → 215) with the aspect ratio bumped up to preserve overall diameter. Narrower tires increase contact pressure on snow for better traction. The Compatible alternative sizes table includes any winter-friendly options that fall within ±3% OD for this vehicle.

How often should I rotate the tires on my 1979 Volkswagen Passat?

Every 5,000–7,500 miles is the typical OEM recommendation for passenger vehicles. AWD vehicles and high-torque trucks benefit from the shorter interval. Documented rotation history is also a tire-warranty prerequisite; most manufacturer treadwear claims require rotation receipts at the warranty inspection.

For broader tire questions; replacement timing, UTQG, EV-specific tires, winter swaps; see the tire FAQ.

Sources for this page

Vehicle owner's manual tire & wheel placard; door-jamb placard on the Volkswagen Passat is the authoritative source for OEM tire size, load index, and cold-inflation pressure for your specific trim.
NHTSA SaferCar; recall lookup for the 1979 Volkswagen Passat.
ETRTO 2024 Standards Manual §2.3; overall-diameter math used for the alternative-size verdicts above.
Tire & Rim Association 2025 Yearbook; load-index to maximum-load reference.