Honda CRX Tires

Honda CRX models from 1988 through 1991 use three tire sizes in this range: 165/70R13, 175/70R13, and 185/60R14. The first two sizes mount on 13-inch wheels, while 185/60R14 mounts on 14-inch wheels. All three are radial metric sizes, and each appears across the full 1988 to 1991 span rather than belonging to one isolated year.

The practical step is to confirm the exact size already fitted to the car, then verify the wheel diameter before moving further. Because every year in this Honda CRX range shows more than one listed size, year alone is not enough to identify the correct tire. Checking the sidewall of the existing tire and the actual wheel diameter will usually narrow the choice quickly.

A 1988 Honda CRX has three listed tire sizes because the model range used different configurations within the same year. Two of those sizes, 165/70R13 and 175/70R13, are for 13-inch wheels, while 185/60R14 is for 14-inch wheels. The same pattern continues through 1989, 1990, and 1991.

That means the correct tire cannot be chosen by model year alone. A buyer should confirm the wheel diameter first, then compare the current tire size to the available options. If the car has 13-inch wheels, there are still two possible sizes, so checking the installed size or original vehicle paperwork is the next step.

Honda CRX uses two rim diameters in this range: 13-inch and 14-inch. The 165/70R13 and 175/70R13 sizes are built for 13-inch wheels, while 185/60R14 is built for 14-inch wheels. Those wheel diameters appear throughout the 1988 to 1991 production span shown here.

Wheel diameter is the first fitment point to verify because a 13-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 14-inch wheel, and the reverse is equally true. Measuring the wheel or reading the full size from the current tire sidewall is the simplest way to confirm it. Once that is settled, the remaining choice is between the specific tire widths and aspect ratios used on the car.

A 1990 Honda CRX can use 165/70R13, 175/70R13, or 185/60R14, depending on the specific configuration. The fastest way to confirm the correct size is to read the complete size marking on the tire currently mounted to the car and match it to the wheel diameter. If the car is wearing non-original tires, the wheel size still gives you an immediate split between the 13-inch and 14-inch options.

After confirming diameter, compare the installed size against service records, original labels, or marque references if authenticity matters. This is especially useful when the car has changed hands or has been modified over time. For a driver-focused Honda CRX, staying with the verified size helps preserve the balance of steering response, gearing feel, and body clearance.

The available Honda CRX products in this range use blackwall sidewalls. Both listed products, the Avon 175/70R13 and the Michelin 185/60R14, are blackwall radial tires. That suits the late-1980s and early-1990s character of the Honda CRX, where blackwall performance-oriented appearance is consistent with the era.

For a stock-looking driver or restoration-minded street car, blackwall sidewalls will keep the look appropriate without adding visual distraction. Sidewall style should still come after fitment, since the wheel diameter and exact size are more important than appearance. Once the correct size is confirmed, sidewall style becomes a straightforward final preference within the options available.

The available Honda CRX products in this set come from Avon and Michelin. Avon covers 175/70R13 with the CR6ZZ series, while Michelin covers 185/60R14 with the Pilot Exalto PE2 series. Both are radial blackwall offerings aimed at cars using those exact sizes.

Brand choice matters only after the correct size is settled, because the Honda CRX uses more than one fitment across the same years. A 13-inch CRX owner and a 14-inch CRX owner are not choosing from the same product pool. Once size and wheel diameter are confirmed, brand selection becomes a question of the specific driving style and use the car will see.

A stored Honda CRX should be kept in a cool, dry, dark environment with the tires protected from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Clean tires and proper inflation before storage help reduce flat spotting and sidewall stress. If the car will sit for an extended period, moving it occasionally or supporting it to reduce static load can also help preserve the tire shape.

Collector cars from the late-classic era often spend long periods parked, and that can age tires more by time and environment than by mileage. Checking inflation periodically during storage is just as important as checking it before a drive. Good storage habits are especially worthwhile on a Honda CRX because its light weight and responsive handling make tire condition immediately noticeable on the road.

Tires on a Honda CRX should be visually inspected before regular driving and given a more thorough inspection several times during the season, especially if the car is driven infrequently. Look for cracking, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and any sign that the tire is aging or losing shape. Inflation pressure should also be checked routinely, since a low-use collector car can lose pressure while parked.

A frequent inspection routine matters because tire issues on a light, agile car often show up first as changes in steering feel or stability. Pay attention to vibrations, pulling, or unusual noise on the first miles of a drive. Catching age-related deterioration early is far better than discovering it once the Honda CRX is already out on the road.

Tires on a Honda CRX should be replaced when they show age cracking, hardening, sidewall damage, repeated air loss, or any structural defect, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector cars often age their tires out before they wear them out, and that is especially common on low-mileage examples. Tread depth alone is not a reliable measure of serviceability on an older enthusiast car.

If a Honda CRX has spent years in storage, a specialist inspection is a sensible step before putting the car back into regular road use. A tire can appear clean and still have age-related deterioration that affects safety and drivability. Replacing an old tire at the first credible sign of aging is usually the right call for preserving both the car and the driving experience.

Honda CRX uses 165/70R13, 175/70R13, and 185/60R14 across the 1988 to 1991 range covered here. All available products in this set are radial tires, which matches the period character of a late-1980s to early-1990s sport compact. Because multiple sizes appear in every year, original fitment depends on the exact Honda CRX configuration rather than model year alone.

For an authenticity-focused restoration, the best reference is the specific car’s original placard, owner literature, or marque-club knowledge tied to its trim and wheel package. Using the correct size helps preserve the visual stance as well as the intended steering and gearing feel. It is worth confirming details carefully because a Honda CRX can look similar across configurations while requiring a different tire.

Correct tire fitment can affect both presentation and judging on a Honda CRX, especially when the car is being restored to a factory-style appearance. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts tend to notice whether the wheel diameter, tire profile, and overall stance are consistent with the car’s intended configuration. Even on driver-level cars, the wrong size can make the car sit or handle differently than expected.

That does not mean every restored Honda CRX must use the same tire, but it does mean the chosen size should match the specific version of the car. Authenticity-minded owners usually benefit from comparing wheel and tire details against period references and marque expertise. Correct sizing supports both appearance and the crisp, lightweight personality that enthusiasts expect from the Honda CRX.

Blackwall is the sidewall style available for Honda CRX products in this range, and it suits the late-classic era of the 1988 to 1991 model years. That look aligns well with the clean, functional appearance expected on a compact performance hatchback from this period. No alternate sidewall treatment appears in the available products here.

For a restoration that aims to look period-right without calling attention away from the car itself, blackwall is the natural choice. The more important authenticity question is still the exact size and wheel diameter, since both 13-inch and 14-inch fitments appear on Honda CRX during these years. Once those are confirmed, blackwall keeps the appearance cohesive and era-appropriate.

A properly sized, properly mounted, and healthy radial tire can be suitable for driving a Honda CRX on public roads, provided the tire is in sound condition and the rest of the car is equally well sorted. The available products here are modern-style radial tires in Honda CRX sizes, not fragile brass-era reproductions. Roadworthiness still depends on the complete condition of the tire, wheel, suspension, and brakes.

Before regular road use, inspect for age cracks, impact damage, uneven wear, and any sign of prior neglect. A light, responsive car like the Honda CRX will quickly reveal tire problems through steering feel and stability. Safe road use comes from the whole setup working together, so tire condition should be considered alongside alignment, braking, and wheel integrity.

Before driving a Honda CRX, check tire pressure, sidewall condition, tread condition, and the wheel and lug hardware for obvious issues. Make sure the tire size matches the wheel diameter, since this model range includes both 13-inch and 14-inch fitments. It is also wise to look for dry cracking, punctures, or any sign that the tire has aged out while the car was sitting.

A short pre-drive inspection is especially useful on an older Honda CRX that may not be driven daily. If the car feels different from normal in the first few miles, stop and inspect rather than drive through the problem. That habit helps catch inflation loss, age-related deterioration, and mounting issues before they become more serious.

Appropriate speed for a Honda CRX depends first on the condition and exact specification of the tire fitted, not just the model name of the car. Even when the tire size is correct, an older tire in compromised condition should not be asked to do sustained highway work. A healthy, correctly sized radial in good condition is far more suitable for normal use than a tire that is aged, cracked, or of uncertain history.

The sensible rule is to let tire condition and overall vehicle condition set the pace. Start conservatively after long storage and pay attention to vibration, tracking, and heat buildup. A Honda CRX rewards confident driving, but that confidence should come only after the tires, wheels, and chassis have all been checked and proven sound.