Renault Encore Tires
Renault Encore was the American-market version of Renault’s compact front-drive hatchback sold during the mid-1980s, a period when small imported cars were balancing economy, practicality, and increasingly sporty trim distinctions. Across its 1984 to 1986 run, Renault Encore could appear with more than one tire and wheel package, which makes tire selection more involved than simply matching the model name. The key complication is that Renault Encore used both 13-inch and 14-inch rim diameters in the same production years, alongside different section widths and profiles. Before choosing a tire, confirm the wheel diameter on the actual car and then match the size to the specific year and configuration.
Renault Encore Tire Size Guide
Renault Encore used 3 distinct tire sizes from 1984 through 1986, and the most important fitment fact is that the car appears with both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel diameters during the same production period. The sizes listed here are modern metric radial sizes, with 13-inch options in 155/80R13 and 175/70R13 and a 14-inch option in 185/60R14. Because all three sizes appear in each model year, wheel diameter and the specific configuration matter just as much as the year itself.
155/80R13 fits Renault Encore models listed from 1984 through 1986 and is one of the 13-inch fitments used across the full production span. The 155 means a 155mm section width, 80 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the required 13-inch rim diameter. Choose this size when the car retains its 13-inch wheel package and you want a standard-profile radial, with available products including both narrow and wide whitewall styles.
175/70R13 fits Renault Encore models listed from 1984 through 1986 and shares the 13-inch rim diameter with the narrower 155-size option. The 175 means a 175mm section width, 70 is the aspect ratio, R marks it as a radial, and 13 indicates a 13-inch wheel. Choose this size when the car is equipped with the wider 13-inch setup, and verify wheel width as well as rim diameter before moving from the narrower 155/80R13 fitment.
185/60R14 fits Renault Encore models listed from 1984 through 1986 and is the 14-inch fitment in this model group. The 185 means a 185mm section width, 60 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 14 is the required 14-inch rim diameter. Choose this size only when the car has 14-inch wheels, since it cannot be substituted onto the 13-inch wheel packages.
Because 1984, 1985, and 1986 each list three sizes, buyers need to identify the specific configuration and confirm whether the car carries 13-inch or 14-inch wheels before selecting a tire.
Renault Encore Tires by Year
Renault Encore production used both 13-inch and 14-inch wheels across 1984 through 1986, so confirm which rim diameter the specific car carries before selecting a tire. In 1984, 1985, and 1986, more than two sizes are listed, and the split includes both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel packages. Use the year listing to narrow the field, then match the final choice to the wheel diameter and installed size on the car.
1984 Renault Encore
- 155/80R13
- 175/70R13
- 185/60R14
1985 Renault Encore
- 155/80R13
- 175/70R13
- 185/60R14
1986 Renault Encore
- 155/80R13
- 175/70R13
- 185/60R14
Best Renault Encore Tires for Sale
Available Renault Encore tires span 5 brands and 6 products across 155/80R13, 175/70R13, and 185/60R14 sizes. Whitewall and blackwall options are both represented, so confirm the correct size and rim diameter before selecting.
155/80R13 Products
These are the available products for 155/80R13.
175/70R13 Products
These are the available products for 175/70R13.
185/60R14 Products
These are the available products for 185/60R14.
Frequently Asked Questions
These Renault Encore tire FAQs cover the 13-inch versus 14-inch wheel split, the differences among the three metric radial sizes used from 1984 to 1986, and the brand and sidewall options available for each fitment.
Size Basics & Fitment
Renault Encore uses three tire sizes across the 1984 to 1986 model range: 155/80R13, 175/70R13, and 185/60R14. Both 155/80R13 and 175/70R13 require 13-inch rims, while 185/60R14 requires a 14-inch rim. All three sizes appear in each of the three production years, so year alone does not narrow the fitment to a single choice.
The practical takeaway is that Renault Encore owners should confirm the actual wheel diameter on the car first, then verify the installed size before choosing a replacement. If the car has 13-inch wheels, the decision is between the 155 and 175 metric sizes; if it has 14-inch wheels, the 185/60R14 fitment is the relevant one.
A 1984 Renault Encore has three tire sizes listed because the model was offered with more than one wheel and tire configuration in the same year. The split is primarily a rim-diameter split, since both 13-inch sizes and a separate 14-inch size appear in 1984. That same pattern continues for 1985 and 1986 as well.
That means a buyer should not rely on the model year alone when replacing tires on a Renault Encore. Check the wheel diameter stamped on the wheel or confirm the size currently fitted to the car, then compare that with the correct section width and profile so the replacement matches the specific configuration rather than just the calendar year.
Renault Encore uses two rim diameters in this size group: 13-inch and 14-inch. The 155/80R13 and 175/70R13 sizes both fit 13-inch wheels, while 185/60R14 fits 14-inch wheels. Those rim diameters are present throughout the 1984, 1985, and 1986 production run rather than being limited to an early or late changeover.
Wheel diameter is the first thing to verify because a 13-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 14-inch wheel, and the reverse is equally true. Once that is confirmed, Renault Encore owners can sort out the remaining fitment details by matching width and aspect ratio to the car’s existing setup and intended appearance.
Buying the Right Tire
A 1985 Renault Encore can use 155/80R13, 175/70R13, or 185/60R14, so the correct size is confirmed by checking the actual wheel and the size already fitted rather than relying on the year alone. The first distinction is rim diameter: 13-inch wheels take one of the two 13-inch sizes, while 14-inch wheels take 185/60R14.
After confirming wheel diameter, compare the current tire size and wheel width with the intended replacement. That matters because the two 13-inch choices are not interchangeable in every situation, and the tire should match the wheel package already on the car unless there is a deliberate, well-researched reason to change from the existing setup.
Renault Encore tires in these sizes are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. The 155/80R13 offerings include narrow and wide whitewall choices, while the 175/70R13 and 185/60R14 products listed here are blackwall radials. That gives buyers both period-style cosmetic options and more understated blackwall choices depending on size.
For a Renault Encore restoration or preservation car, sidewall style should match the look you want as well as the correct size. Whitewalls can give a more distinctive period accessory appearance on the 155/80R13 fitment, while blackwalls are the more restrained route and are the listed style for the larger 175/70R13 and 185/60R14 sizes.
The brands represented for Renault Encore tire sizes here are Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Tornel, Avon, and Michelin. The 155/80R13 size has the broadest selection, while 175/70R13 is represented by Avon and 185/60R14 by Michelin. All of the listed products are radial tires.
Brand choice should come after confirming the correct size and wheel diameter for the Renault Encore itself. Once fitment is settled, buyers can choose among whitewall or blackwall appearance, compare the available series within the correct size, and decide whether they want a more standard replacement look or a more specialized performance-oriented presentation.
Renault Encore tire offerings here include the UN106, Silvertown Radial, Classic Whitewall MA-1, Tornel Classic, CR6ZZ, and Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 series. Those series differ by brand positioning, sidewall presentation, and intended character, ranging from classic-style whitewall radials to blackwall sport-oriented radials. The series also vary by size availability, so not every series is offered across all three Renault Encore fitments.
The useful way to approach series selection is to decide fitment first and visual style second. A Renault Encore owner working with 155/80R13 has the widest appearance choice, while owners needing 175/70R13 or 185/60R14 are choosing within more specialized blackwall offerings that suit those specific wheel and tire packages.
Maintenance & Longevity
A Renault Encore stored on fitted tires should be kept in a cool, dry, dark environment away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and long periods on damp concrete. Tires age as much from time and storage conditions as from mileage, especially on collector cars that are driven infrequently. Clean tires and stable inflation are both important before a long storage period begins.
If the Renault Encore will sit for extended periods, move it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces prolonged flat-spotting. Owners should also keep inflation appropriate to the tire in use and inspect the sidewalls and tread before returning the car to service, since a low-use car can look fine cosmetically while still developing age-related deterioration.
Tires on a Renault Encore should be inspected regularly even if the car is driven only occasionally. A visual check before every drive and a more careful inspection at routine service intervals is a sensible pattern for a collector or hobby car. Look for cracking, bulges, irregular wear, impact damage, and signs that inflation has not been maintained consistently.
Regular inspection matters because Renault Encore fitments include different profiles and wheel diameters, and each setup depends on sound sidewalls and proper inflation to perform as intended. An owner who catches wear or aging early has a much better chance of correcting alignment, wheel, or storage issues before they turn into a roadside problem.
A Renault Encore tire should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, bulges, puncture damage, or structural deterioration are present, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector-car tires often age out before they wear out, particularly on low-mileage cars. Tread depth alone is not enough to judge whether an older tire remains serviceable.
That means Renault Encore owners should think in terms of condition and age as well as appearance. If the car has spent long periods parked, if the sidewalls feel brittle, or if there is any doubt about the tire’s structural integrity, replacement is the prudent step before further road use.
Restoration & Authenticity
Renault Encore appears with three original-type size choices in this range: 155/80R13, 175/70R13, and 185/60R14. The available products shown here are all radial tires, and the listed options include both blackwall and whitewall presentations depending on size. Because all three sizes appear across the 1984 to 1986 model years, original fitment depends on the specific wheel and trim configuration of the car.
For an accurate restoration, the best approach is to verify the wheel diameter and compare the car against factory literature, window stickers, or marque-club sources. That lets a Renault Encore owner choose a tire that respects both the size used on the specific car and the visual character that suits the restoration goal.
Correct tire fitment can affect how a Renault Encore is judged because tire size, wheel diameter, and sidewall style all influence the car’s period appearance and stance. A car wearing the wrong rim diameter or an obviously incorrect profile can look out of character even when the tire is physically mountable. On preserved or restored cars, those details matter.
Owners concerned with value or event judging should match the Renault Encore’s tire size to the wheel package actually used on that specific car. If there is any uncertainty, compare the car with factory references and marque-club guidance so the final choice supports authenticity rather than just basic drivability.
Renault Encore tire options here include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles, but the correct restoration choice depends on the appearance you are trying to recreate. Blackwall is the listed style for 175/70R13 and 185/60R14, while the 155/80R13 size has multiple whitewall options as well as different brand presentations. Sidewall style is therefore tied to size selection as much as visual preference.
A careful restoration should start with the correct Renault Encore wheel diameter and tire size, then choose the sidewall treatment that best matches the car’s original or period-accessory look. If authenticity is the goal, compare surviving photos, dealer literature, and club references before deciding between a plain blackwall presentation and a whitewall treatment.
Safety & Road Use
The listed Renault Encore tires are modern radial products in the correct size families for this model range, so they are intended for road use when properly fitted to the correct wheel diameter and kept in sound condition. Safety depends on more than size alone, though, because a 13-inch tire on a 14-inch wheel or the wrong width-profile combination would be an improper fitment. Condition, inflation, wheel integrity, and overall vehicle health all matter.
Before regular road use, make sure the Renault Encore has the correct size mounted on the correct wheel and that the rest of the chassis is equally ready for service. On a car of this age, tire selection should be treated as one part of a broader inspection that includes brakes, steering, suspension, and alignment.
Before driving a Renault Encore, check that the tire size matches the wheel diameter, inspect inflation, look for visible sidewall or tread damage, and verify that the tires are not showing age-related cracking or distortion. Because Renault Encore used both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel packages, confirming the basic fitment is especially important. A quick walkaround can catch many problems before the car moves.
A more thorough pre-drive check should also include wheel fastener security, brake feel, steering response, and any signs of uneven tire wear that suggest alignment or suspension issues. That routine is especially worthwhile on a lightly used Renault Encore, where storage time may be greater than actual road time.
An appropriate speed for a Renault Encore depends on the exact tire fitted, its condition, and the condition of the car as a whole rather than on the model name alone. The listed products are modern radial tires, but no collector car should be driven faster than its tires, wheels, suspension, and brakes can safely support. Tire age and overall condition are just as important as the size molded on the sidewall.
The sensible approach is to drive a Renault Encore conservatively until the tire condition, inflation, and general roadworthiness of the car have been fully checked. Even with the correct size installed, sustained higher-speed driving only makes sense when the entire vehicle has been inspected and is operating as intended.