Plymouth Reliant Tires
The Plymouth Reliant was one of the defining American compact sedans and wagons of the early 1980s, built from 1981 through 1989 as part of Chrysler's front-wheel-drive K-car family. Plymouth Reliant mattered because it represented practical, everyday transportation in an era when domestic cars were moving toward lighter packaging, smaller wheel diameters, and more modern radial tire sizing. Tire selection for Plymouth Reliant is not quite as simple as choosing by model name alone, since the year range includes both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel fitments, with several size changes in the early years. The first thing to confirm on any Plymouth Reliant is the actual rim diameter before narrowing the tire size.
Plymouth Reliant Tire Size Guide
Plymouth Reliant used 6 distinct tire sizes from 1981 through 1989, and the most important fitment point is that wheel diameter varied during production between 13-inch and 14-inch applications, with the 14-inch fitments appearing in 1981. Early Plymouth Reliant years also show the greatest size variation, while later cars settle into a more consistent pattern. Every size listed here is a metric radial format, where the first number is section width in millimeters, the second is aspect ratio, and the final number is rim diameter in inches.
175/75R13 was used on Plymouth Reliant models from 1981 through 1983 and represents one of the early 13-inch fitments. The code means a 175 mm section width, a 75-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. Choose this size when the car is an early 13-inch-wheel Plymouth Reliant and verify the wheel marking or original application details before moving to a currently available substitute.
185/70R13 fits Plymouth Reliant applications in 1981 and 1982 and is supported by several current radial tire choices on 13-inch wheels. The code means a 185 mm section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. Choose this size for early 13-inch-wheel cars that call for the wider low-profile option, with available products ranging from blackwall to redline and whitewall styles.
185/65R14 appears on 1981 Plymouth Reliant and is the earliest 14-inch fitment in the range. The code means a 185 mm section width, a 65-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. Choose this size only when the car retains its 14-inch wheel setup, since it should not be confused with the 13-inch sizes also used in the same model year.
185/70R14 was used on Plymouth Reliant from 1982 through 1989 and becomes the longest-running 14-inch fitment in the model line. The code means a 185 mm section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. Choose this size for later 14-inch-wheel cars or early cars equipped with the 14-inch setup, especially when maintaining the period-correct balance of width and sidewall height.
195/70R13 is a one-year Plymouth Reliant fitment for 1983 and uses a 13-inch wheel with a slightly wider tread section. The code means a 195 mm section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. Choose this size only for 1983 cars that specifically use the wider 13-inch setup rather than assuming all 1983 Plymouth Reliant models share the same tire.
175/80R13 was used on Plymouth Reliant from 1984 through 1989 and serves as the later long-running 13-inch fitment. The code means a 175 mm section width, an 80-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. Choose this size for later 13-inch-wheel cars when the goal is a stock-type narrow profile, with available whitewall variations that suit many preserved original-style cars.
Plymouth Reliant buyers looking at 1981, 1982, or 1983 cars should identify the exact configuration before selecting a tire, since those years list three sizes and include both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel applications.
Plymouth Reliant Tires by Year
Plymouth Reliant production used both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel fitments, beginning with mixed wheel diameters in 1981, so the actual rim diameter on the car should be confirmed before choosing a tire. In 1981, 1982, and 1983, more than two sizes are listed, reflecting a rim-diameter split between 13-inch and 14-inch applications as well as different configurations within the same year. The year listing below is the quickest way to narrow the correct size once the car's wheel diameter is known.
1981 Plymouth Reliant
- 175/75R13
- 185/70R13
- 185/65R14
1982 Plymouth Reliant
- 175/75R13
- 185/70R13
- 185/70R14
1983 Plymouth Reliant
- 175/75R13
- 185/70R14
- 195/70R13
1984 Plymouth Reliant
- 175/80R13
- 185/70R14
1985 Plymouth Reliant
- 175/80R13
- 185/70R14
1986 Plymouth Reliant
- 175/80R13
- 185/70R14
1987 Plymouth Reliant
- 175/80R13
- 185/70R14
1988 Plymouth Reliant
- 175/80R13
- 185/70R14
1989 Plymouth Reliant
- 175/80R13
- 185/70R14
Best Plymouth Reliant Tires for Sale
Available Plymouth Reliant tire offerings span 4 brands and 15 products across 185/70R13, 185/70R14, 195/70R13, and 175/80R13 sizes. Confirm the correct year-specific size and whether the car carries 13-inch or 14-inch wheels before selecting a tire.
185/70R13 Products
These are the available products for 185/70R13.
185/70R14 Products
These are the available products for 185/70R14.
195/70R13 Products
These are the available products for 195/70R13.
175/80R13 Products
These are the available products for 175/80R13.
Frequently Asked Questions
These Plymouth Reliant FAQs focus on the early-year size overlap, the 13-inch versus 14-inch wheel difference, available radial sidewall styles, and how to verify the correct fitment for a specific year and configuration.
Size Basics & Fitment
Plymouth Reliant used six tire sizes across the 1981 through 1989 model run: 175/75R13 for 1981-1983, 185/70R13 for 1981-1982, 185/65R14 for 1981, 185/70R14 for 1982-1989, 195/70R13 for 1983, and 175/80R13 for 1984-1989. The 13-inch sizes are 175/75R13, 185/70R13, 195/70R13, and 175/80R13, while the 14-inch sizes are 185/65R14 and 185/70R14.
That range means model year alone is not always enough, especially on 1981, 1982, and 1983 Plymouth Reliant cars where multiple sizes appear in the same year. Start by checking the wheel diameter on the car, then match the size to the specific year and configuration rather than assuming every Reliant from that year used the same tire.
The 1981 Plymouth Reliant shows three tire sizes because that model year included more than one wheel and tire configuration. The listed sizes include both 13-inch and 14-inch applications, so the split is not just a minor variation in width or profile; it also involves a different rim diameter.
That matters because a 13-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 14-inch wheel, even if the section width looks similar on paper. If you are working with a 1981 Plymouth Reliant, verify the wheel diameter first and then compare the car's existing size placard, wheel markings, or restoration records to identify which of the three sizes belongs on that specific car.
Plymouth Reliant used both 13-inch and 14-inch rim diameters during its production run. The 13-inch applications include 175/75R13, 185/70R13, 195/70R13, and 175/80R13, while the 14-inch applications include 185/65R14 and 185/70R14, with 14-inch fitments appearing as early as 1981.
Because both rim diameters appear in the same early production years, the wheel itself is the deciding factor. Read the size stamped on the current tire or wheel, and if the car is under restoration, compare that with original records so you do not accidentally choose a correct-year tire for the wrong wheel diameter.
Buying the Right Tire
A 1983 Plymouth Reliant can use 175/75R13, 185/70R14, or 195/70R13, so that year requires more than a quick model search. The first step is to determine whether the car has 13-inch or 14-inch wheels, then narrow the choice between the two 13-inch sizes if needed.
Once wheel diameter is confirmed, compare the current tire size, original paperwork, and the overall look you are trying to preserve. That approach helps separate a stock-type replacement from a later change made during the car's life, which is especially useful when a Plymouth Reliant has had wheels or tires swapped over the years.
Plymouth Reliant tire offerings here include blackwall, redline, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles, depending on size. Blackwall choices appear in both 13-inch and 14-inch radial sizes, while whitewall options are available in several sizes, and redline is offered in 185/70R13.
That gives a Plymouth Reliant owner room to match the car's original character or a period-custom look. A preserved everyday sedan often suits blackwall or a modest whitewall, while broader whitewalls or a redline treatment may appeal more to a personalized build than to a strictly factory-style restoration.
The brands represented for Plymouth Reliant sizes here are BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, Vredestein, and Maxxis. Availability varies by size, with the broadest selection appearing in 185/70R13 and 185/70R14, while some other Reliant sizes have only one or two listed product options.
Brand choice is best made after the size and wheel diameter are settled, not before. On a Plymouth Reliant, that sequence matters because some sizes have several period-flavored radial options and sidewall treatments, while others are much narrower in selection even though they are still correct for certain years.
Plymouth Reliant tire options here include several radial series, including Silvertown Radial, CR6ZZ, SP Sport Aquajet, Sport Classic, Michelin XDX-B, Michelin XAS, Sprint Classic, and Classic Whitewall MA-1. They differ mainly in sidewall presentation, period styling, tread character, and the specific sizes in which each series is offered.
A Plymouth Reliant owner choosing among these series should first match the correct size, then decide whether the goal is a more original-looking whitewall tire, a plain blackwall replacement, or a sportier period radial look. The available series are all radial constructions here, so the decision is more about appearance and intended character than bias-ply versus radial technology.
Maintenance & Longevity
A Plymouth Reliant should be stored on a clean, dry surface away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Proper inflation matters during storage because underinflated tires can flat-spot more easily, while long exposure to heat and UV accelerates sidewall aging even when the car is not being driven.
If the Plymouth Reliant will sit for extended periods, move it occasionally so the tires do not carry the same load point month after month. Keeping the car clean, the tires properly inflated, and the storage area free from electric motors or welders will do more for long-term tire preservation than simply relying on low annual mileage.
Tires on a Plymouth Reliant should be inspected regularly even if the car is only used for occasional drives. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, irregular wear, pressure loss, and any sign that the tire is rubbing because the wrong size was fitted to the car or the wheel.
A practical routine is to inspect the tires before every meaningful drive and to give them a more thorough review several times each season. On a Plymouth Reliant, that inspection should also include confirming that all four tires match in size and construction type and that the wheel diameter corresponds with the installed tire size.
Tires on a Plymouth Reliant should be replaced when age-related deterioration appears, even if the tread still looks deep. Cracking, hardening, repeated air loss, vibration, impact damage, or signs of internal separation are all stronger replacement signals than remaining tread depth on a lightly driven collector car.
Collector vehicles often age their tires out long before they wear them out, and a Plymouth Reliant is no exception. A car that sees only occasional use should still have its tires evaluated by condition and age rather than appearance alone, because a low-mile tire can still be unsuitable for road use after years of storage and heat cycling.
Restoration & Authenticity
Plymouth Reliant used several radial tire sizes over its production run rather than one single universal original fitment. The size depended on year and configuration, with early cars showing the widest spread and later cars settling mainly into 175/80R13 or 185/70R14 depending on wheel diameter.
For a restoration, the correct approach is to identify the exact year and wheel setup first, then match the sidewall style and overall look to the character of the car. Original manuals, surviving placards, and marque-specific references are the best way to confirm whether a particular Plymouth Reliant should wear a blackwall, narrow whitewall, or broader whitewall presentation.
Correct tire fitment can affect how a Plymouth Reliant is judged and how convincingly it presents as an authentic car. Size, wheel diameter, and sidewall style all shape the stance of the vehicle, and obvious mismatches can make an otherwise careful restoration look off even to casual observers.
That does not always mean one cosmetic style is mandatory, but it does mean the tire should match the intended restoration standard. A Plymouth Reliant being restored for authenticity should use the correct year-appropriate size and a sidewall treatment that fits the period and trim level rather than whatever modern passenger-car tire happens to be closest in diameter.
Plymouth Reliant tire options here include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and even redline in one size, so the correct restoration choice depends on the look of the specific car. Blackwall is the most neutral period-style choice, while whitewalls can suit certain trim presentations and owner preferences from the era.
A stock-appearing Plymouth Reliant is usually best served by choosing the sidewall style that matches surviving factory photos, brochures, or the car's own original presentation. Redline tends to read as more custom or enthusiast-oriented, so it works best when the goal is a period-flavored personal statement rather than strict factory-style accuracy.
Safety & Road Use
A Plymouth Reliant fitted with the correct size, proper load-capable tires, and sound suspension and brake components can be driven on public roads in a practical collector-car role. The listed products for available Reliant sizes are radial constructions, which suit the car's later-era design better than antique-style tire technology would.
Road safety still depends on the complete condition of the car, not just the tires themselves. Before regular driving, confirm inflation, inspect for age or damage, and make sure the tires match the wheel diameter and intended fitment, because a Plymouth Reliant with the wrong early-year size can create avoidable handling and clearance problems.
Before driving a Plymouth Reliant, check tire pressure, sidewall condition, tread condition, and whether all four tires are the same size and compatible with the wheel diameter. On early cars, also confirm that the car is not wearing a mismatched mix of 13-inch and 14-inch-related components from a past repair or wheel swap.
A quick walkaround catches most preventable tire issues on a lightly used collector car. For a Plymouth Reliant that spends time parked, also pay attention to flat spotting, age cracking, and valve stem condition, since these age-related problems often show up before tread wear becomes a concern.
A Plymouth Reliant should always be driven at speeds appropriate to the condition, age, and specification of the tires actually installed on the car. Even when the tire size is correct, an older collector car asks for more restraint than a modern daily driver because suspension, braking, and tire age all influence stability at speed.
The sensible rule is to treat a Plymouth Reliant as a preserved vintage car, not as a modern commuter with unlimited reserve. Keep speeds conservative until the tires, alignment, brakes, and steering have all been evaluated, and reduce expectations further if the car has spent long periods in storage or has unknown-age tires fitted.