Buick Somerset Tires

Buick Somerset uses three tire sizes across the 1986 and 1987 model years: 185/80R13, 205/70R13, and 215/60R14. The first two sizes mount on 13-inch rims, while 215/60R14 mounts on a 14-inch rim. All three listed Buick Somerset fitments are radial sizes, but they differ in width, aspect ratio, and wheel diameter.

The practical takeaway is that year alone is not enough to pick a tire for a Buick Somerset. Start by checking the size currently on the car, then confirm the wheel diameter stamped on the rim or shown in original vehicle paperwork. Once that is settled, you can choose among the available sidewall styles and brands in the correct size.

A 1986 Buick Somerset can show three listed sizes because the model used more than one wheel-and-tire configuration in the same year. Two of those sizes, 185/80R13 and 205/70R13, are for 13-inch rims, while 215/60R14 is for a 14-inch rim. That means the split is not just about tread width; it also includes a change in wheel diameter.

That matters because a 14-inch tire will not interchange with a 13-inch wheel, even if the overall tire looks similar at a glance. Check the actual rim on the car before making a selection, and use the existing tire size only as a starting point in case the car was changed at some point in its life.

Buick Somerset uses both 13-inch and 14-inch rim diameters in the 1986 and 1987 range covered here. The 185/80R13 and 205/70R13 sizes are 13-inch fitments, and the 215/60R14 size is a 14-inch fitment. All three tire codes state their rim diameter directly in the last number of the size.

Because Buick Somerset appears with two wheel diameters in the same production span, wheel size should be confirmed before comparing brands or sidewall treatments. Looking at the tire sidewall, measuring the wheel, or checking trusted vehicle records will prevent a mismatch between a 13-inch tire and a 14-inch wheel.

A 1987 Buick Somerset can use 185/80R13, 205/70R13, or 215/60R14, so the correct choice begins with the wheel diameter and the size already fitted to the car. The two 13-inch options are 185/80R13 and 205/70R13, while 215/60R14 is the 14-inch option. Each size also carries its own width and profile, so they are not interchangeable without the correct wheel.

Check the sidewall on the current tire, then verify that the wheel itself matches that diameter. If the car is being restored or returned to a more original appearance, compare that information with factory literature, service records, or marque knowledge so the replacement tire matches both the wheel and the intended look.

Buick Somerset tires in these sizes are available in several sidewall styles: narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, blackwall, and RWL. The 185/80R13 size includes both narrow and wide whitewall options, 205/70R13 appears in blackwall, and 215/60R14 appears in raised white letter form. That gives Buick Somerset owners several distinct visual directions even within the listed fitments.

Sidewall style should match the character of the specific Buick Somerset being restored or preserved. A whitewall can suit a more formal Buick appearance, while blackwall or raised white letters can fit a more contemporary 1980s presentation. Choose the style only after the correct size and wheel diameter have been confirmed.

The listed Buick Somerset tire brands are Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Michelin. Brand availability varies by size rather than appearing evenly across the whole range. The 185/80R13 size has the broadest selection, while 205/70R13 and 215/60R14 each appear with a single listed product.

That means some Buick Somerset owners will have more freedom to choose appearance and brand identity than others. If the car requires 185/80R13, there is room to compare whitewall width and brand character. If it uses one of the single-product sizes, the priority becomes matching the correct fitment first and styling second.

Buick Somerset tires in this range appear in several series, including Maxxis Radial, Silvertown Radial, Star Series, Michelin XDX-B, and Radial TA. All of them are radial constructions, but they differ in brand presentation and sidewall treatment rather than representing a split between bias-ply and radial technology. Whitewall-focused series appear in 185/80R13, while blackwall and raised white letter styles appear in the other listed sizes.

For a Buick Somerset owner, the real choice between these series is usually visual character and period feel. A wide whitewall gives a more traditional Buick look, while blackwall or RWL can feel more in step with later 1980s tire styling. Match the series to the exact size first, then to the appearance you want the car to project.

A Buick Somerset should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, solvents, and prolonged moisture. Tire pressures should be maintained at appropriate levels so the sidewalls are not left supporting the car in an underinflated condition. Clean tires and wheels also help reduce long-term cosmetic and material deterioration during storage.

If the Buick Somerset will sit for extended periods, move it occasionally to prevent flat spotting or use methods that reduce sustained loading on one section of the tire. Collector cars tend to see irregular use, so storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage. A tire that looks fine externally can still age poorly if it sits neglected for long periods.

Tires on a Buick Somerset should be inspected regularly, not just at annual mileage intervals. Look for cracking, sidewall weathering, tread separation signs, impact damage, uneven wear, and air loss, especially if the car is driven infrequently. On a collector-oriented car, age and storage history can be as important as tread depth.

A practical routine is to inspect the Buick Somerset before each drive and to give the tires a more thorough check several times a year. Include valve stems, wheel condition, and inflation pressure in that review. Catching a problem early is especially important on a car that may spend weeks or months parked between outings.

Tires on a Buick Somerset should be replaced when they show age cracking, repeated air loss, belt or casing irregularities, vibration that cannot be traced elsewhere, or any visible structural concern, even if the tread still looks usable. Tread depth alone is not a reliable indicator on a low-mile collector car. Time, storage conditions, and heat cycling all affect tire health.

For Buick Somerset owners, that means replacement decisions should be made on condition and age as much as mileage. If the car has sat for years or its tire history is unclear, have the tires inspected carefully before road use. Fresh-looking rubber can still be unsuitable for service if it has aged beyond its safe working life.

Buick Somerset appears here with three fitted sizes across 1986 and 1987: 185/80R13, 205/70R13, and 215/60R14. The available replacement products are all radial tires, and they include different visual treatments such as narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, blackwall, and raised white letters. Because multiple sizes were used in the same short production span, the correct original fitment depends on the specific car’s wheel-and-tire configuration.

To restore a Buick Somerset accurately, use the car’s original wheel diameter and compare it with factory literature, window sticker information, build records, or marque expertise. That extra step matters because the same model year can point to more than one valid size. Authenticity comes from matching the exact configuration, not from choosing by model name alone.

Correct tire fitment can affect how a Buick Somerset is judged, presented, and valued, especially when the car is being restored with attention to original appearance. Size, wheel diameter, and sidewall style all contribute to whether the car looks appropriate for its era and trim level. A visibly incorrect profile or wheel diameter can change the stance and visual balance of the car.

For owners pursuing shows or preservation-minded restoration, the goal is to match both the proper fitment and the right visual character. A Buick Somerset fitted with the right size but the wrong sidewall treatment may still look out of place. Marque clubs and original reference materials are the best way to settle close authenticity questions.

Buick Somerset restoration choices in the listed sizes include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, blackwall, and raised white letters. The correct sidewall style depends on how the individual Buick Somerset was equipped and the visual effect the owner is trying to recreate. Whitewalls give a more formal Buick presentation, while blackwall and RWL options align with sportier or more contemporary late-1980s styling.

The best approach is to match the sidewall style to surviving evidence from the car itself, such as photos, original paperwork, or long-held ownership history. If the goal is period character rather than exact concours restoration, keep the style consistent with the wheel diameter and tire size already confirmed for the car. That preserves both stance and overall authenticity.

The listed Buick Somerset tires are modern radial constructions in the correct sizes for the fitments covered here, so they are intended for real road use when properly matched to the car’s wheel diameter and condition. Safety depends on choosing the correct 13-inch or 14-inch size, maintaining inflation, and ensuring the rest of the car is mechanically sound. A tire that is correct in name but wrong in diameter is not a safe fit.

Before regular road use, confirm the Buick Somerset has the right size mounted on the right wheel and inspect the tires for age-related issues or damage. Also check alignment, suspension condition, and brake performance, since collector cars often suffer from long periods of inactivity. Tire choice is only one part of making the car roadworthy.

Before driving a Buick Somerset, check tire pressure, visible sidewall and tread condition, wheel diameter correctness, and any signs of rubbing or uneven wear. Make sure the car is fitted with one of the correct listed sizes for its wheels: either 185/80R13, 205/70R13, or 215/60R14. A quick walk-around can catch issues that are easy to miss when the car has been parked for a while.

Beyond the tires themselves, inspect the Buick Somerset’s brakes, steering response, and fluid condition if the car has been sitting. Low-use cars often develop age-related issues that appear only when they return to service. Taking a few minutes to inspect the car before each drive is one of the simplest ways to avoid preventable problems.

A Buick Somerset should be driven at speeds appropriate to the condition, age, and specification of the tires actually fitted, not simply to the capability of the car itself. The listed replacement tires are radial designs in modern road-going formats, but safe speed still depends on tire condition, inflation, wheel integrity, and overall vehicle health. An aged or compromised tire should not be trusted simply because its size is correct.

For a collector-driven Buick Somerset, the sensible approach is to start conservatively and evaluate how the car feels before sustained highway use. Any vibration, wandering, heat buildup, or irregular noise should be investigated immediately. A well-sorted car on sound tires can be used practically, but caution always matters more than theoretical capability.