Mitsubishi Galant Tires

Mitsubishi Galant uses seven tire sizes across the 1985-2012 production span: 185/70R14 for 1985-1987 and 1989-1998, 195/60R15 for 1985-1999, 205/55R16 for 1999-2003, 195/65R15 for 2000-2003, 215/60R16 for 2004-2012, 215/55R17 for 2004-2007 and 2009, and 235/45R18 for 2007-2012. Their rim diameters are built into the size codes: 14, 15, 16, 15, 16, 17, and 18 inches respectively.

The important point is that year alone is not always enough to choose correctly, because many Mitsubishi Galant years were offered with two wheel packages and a few years used three. Start by reading the size on the tire already mounted or by measuring the wheel diameter on the car, then use the year listing to match the correct size range.

The 2007 Mitsubishi Galant appears with three tire sizes because that model year spans three wheel diameters: 215/60R16 for 16-inch wheels, 215/55R17 for 17-inch wheels, and 235/45R18 for 18-inch wheels. That is a wheel-package split rather than three interchangeable tires for the same wheel. Each size is tied to a different rim diameter.

A 2007 Mitsubishi Galant owner should verify the wheel on the actual car before choosing a replacement tire. The easiest checks are the molded size on the current tire sidewall, the wheel diameter stamp if visible, or the original wheel package if the car is still on factory-style rims. Matching overall style or trim helps, but the wheel itself is the decisive check.

Mitsubishi Galant uses several rim diameters across its production run: 14-inch and 15-inch wheels in the 1985 model year, 16-inch fitments beginning in 1999, 17-inch fitments beginning in 2004, and 18-inch fitments beginning in 2007. The rim diameter is the final number in each metric tire size, so a 195/60R15 mounts on a 15-inch wheel and a 235/45R18 mounts on an 18-inch wheel.

Because multiple wheel diameters overlap within the same Mitsubishi Galant year range, never assume a tire by year alone. Confirm the wheel diameter first, then choose the corresponding tire size. That single step prevents the most common mismatch on long-running model lines where standard and upgraded wheel packages were offered side by side.

A 1999 Mitsubishi Galant uses either 195/60R15 or 205/55R16, depending on the wheel package fitted to the car. Those sizes are not interchangeable because one fits a 15-inch rim and the other fits a 16-inch rim. The correct choice is determined by the wheel diameter actually on the vehicle.

Check the existing sidewall first if the car still has a properly matched tire set. If the car has been modified or the tires are missing, measure the wheel diameter or verify the original wheel package through the car's build details. Once that is confirmed, stay with the matching size rather than trying to force the year into a single default fitment.

Mitsubishi Galant tires in the available product range include blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and RWL sidewall styles, although the selection depends heavily on tire size. Blackwall is the dominant style across the later 16-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch fitments, while certain 14-inch, 15-inch, and 16-inch sizes also appear with period-style whitewall, redline, or raised white letter treatments.

That gives a Mitsubishi Galant owner two different paths: preserving a cleaner stock-style look with blackwalls, or choosing a specialty sidewall treatment where the size supports it. If appearance matters as much as fitment, narrow the tire by size first and then compare the sidewall options available within that exact wheel diameter.

The available Mitsubishi Galant tire range includes BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, Vredestein, and American Classic. Brand coverage varies by size, with the widest spread appearing in 185/70R14 and more concentrated selections in the larger 17-inch and 18-inch fitments. Some brands focus on classic touring styles, while others cover more performance-oriented modern radial applications.

Brand choice matters most after the correct size has already been identified. A Mitsubishi Galant owner comparing options should look at the intended use of the car, the desired sidewall appearance, and whether the wheel package points toward a classic-style radial or a more modern performance-oriented design within that exact size.

Mitsubishi Galant tire offerings span several distinct series, including Silvertown Radial, CR6ZZ, Sport Classic, Michelin XAS, Sprint Classic, Radial T/A, Michelin Primacy 3, g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Phenom T/A, Michelin SX MXX3 N2, and American Classic Radial. Some series lean toward vintage-inspired appearance, some toward touring use, and others toward more aggressive modern performance construction and tread design.

The practical way to sort them is by the character of the car and the size it uses. Earlier Mitsubishi Galant fitments in 14-inch and 15-inch sizes have the broadest mix of classic-style and cosmetic sidewall choices, while later 16-inch through 18-inch sizes trend more strongly toward blackwall performance radials. Pick the size first, then the series that matches how the car is driven and presented.

A Mitsubishi Galant that sits for long periods should be stored on clean, properly inflated tires in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and major temperature swings. Long stationary periods can encourage flat-spotting and sidewall stress, especially on lower-profile later Galant sizes. Clean wheels and tires before storage so road salts and grime do not remain trapped against the rubber.

If the Mitsubishi Galant will be parked for months, move it periodically or place it on stands if appropriate for the storage plan and vehicle condition. Keeping the tires out of standing moisture and away from electric motors, welders, or heaters helps preserve the rubber. Collector cars benefit from regular attention even when they are not being driven.

Tires on a Mitsubishi Galant should be visually checked before regular driving and inspected more carefully several times each season, especially on a collector or hobby-driven car that sees intermittent use. Look for cracking, bulges, tread separation, impact damage, uneven wear, and pressure loss. On later Galant sizes with shorter sidewalls, curb and pothole damage also deserve close attention.

A useful routine is to inspect the tires whenever the Mitsubishi Galant comes out after storage, before a longer trip, and after any event that may have stressed the tire or wheel. Uneven wear can also point to alignment or suspension issues rather than tire failure alone. Catching those signs early helps preserve both the tires and the car's road manners.

Tires on a Mitsubishi Galant should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, bulging, separation, or other structural changes appear, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector cars often age out tires before they wear them out. Time and storage conditions matter as much as mileage on a low-use Galant.

An owner should not judge serviceability by tread depth alone, especially if the Mitsubishi Galant has spent long periods parked indoors and the tires still look cosmetically presentable. A professional inspection is worthwhile whenever there is visible age-related deterioration or an unknown service history. Replacement timing should be conservative on a car that is driven infrequently but expected to operate safely when called into use.

A correctly sized, properly mounted, and sound-condition tire can be appropriate for public-road use on a Mitsubishi Galant, but safety depends on much more than the size molded on the sidewall. The tire must match the wheel diameter, suit the car's intended use, hold pressure properly, and show no signs of structural age or damage. A 15-inch Galant tire cannot be safely substituted onto a 16-inch wheel, and the same principle applies throughout the model range.

For a Mitsubishi Galant that is actually driven, the best approach is to confirm the correct size first, then evaluate age, condition, inflation, alignment, and overall vehicle mechanical state before heading onto the road. The later higher-speed wheel packages deserve the same careful inspection as the earlier smaller sizes. Safe use comes from the whole combination working correctly, not from brand or style alone.

Before driving a Mitsubishi Galant, check tire pressure, sidewall condition, visible tread condition, and that all four tires match the wheel diameter they are mounted on. Also look for cracks, punctures, bulges, irregular wear, or signs that the tire has been rubbing or run underinflated. On years with multiple factory wheel packages, confirm that the size on the car is correct for the rim.

A short walk-around catches many problems before they become roadside failures. If the Mitsubishi Galant has been stored, inspect more carefully and drive gently at first while listening for vibration or thumping that could indicate flat-spotting or internal tire issues. Any uncertainty about condition should be resolved before regular use rather than after the car is already on the road.

A Mitsubishi Galant should only be driven at speeds appropriate to the exact tire fitted, its present condition, and the mechanical condition of the car itself. The production span covers very different wheel and tire packages, from 14-inch and 15-inch fitments in earlier years to larger 16-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch packages in later models. Speed decisions should never be made from appearance alone.

The sensible rule is to keep a Mitsubishi Galant within the limits of the tire actually installed and to be especially cautious with older tires, long-stored tires, or tires of uncertain age. Even when the size is correct, condition and inflation remain critical. If the goal is regular road driving rather than occasional hobby use, fresh, properly matched tires are the prudent foundation.