Subaru RX Tires

Subaru RX uses 185/70R13 for every model year from 1985 through 1989. That means the fitment stays consistent across the full production span covered here, and the available choices are all 13-inch radial tires in that same basic size. Products in this fitment include several blackwall options as well as redline and wide whitewall variations.

The practical step is to confirm that your Subaru RX still has 13-inch wheels and to check the wheel width before choosing among the available tires. Some of the listed products accept rims as narrow as 4.5 inches, while others are intended for a somewhat wider range, so the wheel itself matters even when the nominal tire size is the same.

The 185/70R13 code on a Subaru RX tire is a modern metric radial size. The 185 refers to the tire's nominal section width in millimeters, the 70 is the aspect ratio, the R indicates radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. It is a far more familiar modern sizing system than older numeric or antique formats.

That decoding helps you avoid one of the most common mistakes, which is focusing only on overall height or appearance and missing the wheel diameter or sidewall proportion. On a Subaru RX, 13 inches is the wheel diameter you must match, while the 185 width and 70-series profile help preserve the intended balance of ride, response, and visual proportions.

Subaru RX does not use tube-type antique or bias-ply fitments in the tire selections listed here. Every available product for Subaru RX is a radial in 185/70R13, including examples that are explicitly marked tubeless. That points buyers toward modern-style radial fitment rather than an inner-tube application.

The key point is to verify the wheel condition before mounting any new tire. A Subaru RX with original-style 13-inch wheels should be inspected for bead-seat condition, corrosion, and damage so the tire can seal correctly, especially on a car that has spent long periods parked or in storage.

A 1987 Subaru RX uses 185/70R13, just as the other model years in this range do. The correct wheel diameter is 13 inches, and the listed products are all radial tires built around that fitment. The remaining variables are wheel width, sidewall style, and the driving character of the individual tire series.

Start by checking the sidewall on the old tires and then measure or verify the wheel size on the car itself. After that, compare the wheel width to the approved ranges for the tire you are considering, because a Subaru RX with non-original wheels may still have the right diameter but fall outside the ideal rim-width range for a given tire.

Subaru RX tires are available here in three sidewall styles: blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall. Most of the listed options are blackwall radials, while the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial is also offered in redline and 2-inch wide whitewall form. All of them remain within the same 185/70R13 fitment.

That gives Subaru RX owners room to choose between a more factory-like late-1980s look and a more personalized period-custom presentation. Blackwall will suit most original-style restorations and driver builds, while redline or wide whitewall can change the visual tone of the car substantially without changing the base size.

Five brands are represented for Subaru RX in 185/70R13: BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. The available series include BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial, Avon CR6ZZ, Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, Dunlop Sport Classic, Michelin XDX-B, and Vredestein Sprint Classic. All are radial-construction choices for 13-inch wheels.

Brand choice on a Subaru RX usually comes down to the look you want and the driving character you expect from the tire. Some owners prioritize a traditional appearance, while others prefer a more sporting tread design or a particular sidewall style, so it is worth matching the brand and series to how the car will actually be used.

Subaru RX is offered here with several distinct tire series, including Silvertown Radial, CR6ZZ, SP Sport Aquajet, Sport Classic, XDX-B, and Sprint Classic. All share the same 185/70R13 fitment and radial construction, but they differ in sidewall presentation and in the kind of period driving character they suggest. Silvertown Radial also appears in multiple visual treatments, including redline and wide whitewall.

That means the right choice is not simply about size, since each series can change the visual and functional personality of a Subaru RX. A stock-looking street car may call for a straightforward blackwall classic radial, while an owner aiming for a more individualized period look may prefer the redline or wide whitewall version in the same basic fitment.

A Subaru RX should be stored on clean, properly inflated tires in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, or ozone sources. Long periods on one contact patch can flatten the casing, especially if the car is left unmoved for months. Keeping the tires clean and the car sheltered does more for longevity than cosmetic dressings.

If the Subaru RX will sit for an extended period, move it periodically or support it in a way that reduces static loading while still protecting the suspension and chassis. Collector cars that are used lightly tend to age their tires by time and environment rather than mileage, so storage conditions matter just as much as tread depth.

Tires on a Subaru RX should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly several times during the year, even if the car covers very few miles. Check inflation, sidewall cracking, tread condition, uneven wear, and any sign of impact damage or bead-seat leakage. A low-use collector car can develop tire issues while standing still.

Routine inspection is especially important when a Subaru RX alternates between storage and occasional spirited use. Catching pressure loss or aging early helps preserve ride quality and steering response, and it also gives you time to address wheel alignment or suspension problems before they ruin a relatively specialized 13-inch tire.

Tires on a Subaru RX should be replaced when age-related cracking, hardening, bulges, repeated air loss, impact damage, or visible structural deterioration appear, even if tread depth still looks acceptable. Collector tires often age out before they wear out, particularly on cars driven only occasionally. Calendar age and condition both matter more than tread alone.

The practical rule is to treat every tire on a Subaru RX as a service item, not a permanent restoration detail. If the car has been stored for years, or if the tires have an uncertain history, have them evaluated carefully before returning the car to regular road use, because outward appearance can be much better than internal condition.

The fitment shown for Subaru RX across 1985 through 1989 is 185/70R13 on 13-inch wheels, and all of the available replacement choices here are radial tires in that size. Several different series are offered within that fitment, including traditional classic radials and more sporting blackwall designs. That gives restorers a correct basic size target even when brand preference varies.

For a highly exact Subaru RX restoration, the next step is to compare the car against period owner literature, surviving original tires, and marque-specific references. That helps you decide whether your priority is strict visual authenticity, a period-style blackwall presentation, or a replacement that keeps the original size while improving practical drivability.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Subaru RX is judged and how complete it appears to knowledgeable enthusiasts. The right overall size, proper 13-inch wheel fitment, and an era-appropriate sidewall style all contribute to whether the car looks properly finished. Even small deviations in profile or sidewall treatment can change the car's stance.

Owners pursuing show presentation should think beyond simple compatibility and consider whether the tire's appearance matches the intended restoration standard. A Subaru RX prepared for marque events or serious enthusiast review will benefit from tire choices that suit the car's late-1980s character rather than a generic modern replacement with mismatched proportions.

Blackwall is the most natural visual choice for a Subaru RX restoration, and several blackwall radial options are available in 185/70R13. Redline and wide whitewall versions also exist in the same size, but they create a more customized or stylized look than a typical late-1980s factory-style presentation. All three sidewall styles fit the same basic wheel diameter.

That means the right answer depends on whether your Subaru RX is being restored to stock appearance or built to reflect period personalization. If authenticity is the goal, blackwall is the safer visual direction; if the car is meant to express a custom or retro theme, the redline or wide whitewall options offer that effect without changing the fitment itself.

A properly fitted, correctly inflated radial tire in the listed 185/70R13 size can be suitable for public-road use on a Subaru RX, provided the tire is mounted on a sound 13-inch wheel within the approved rim-width range. All of the available options here are radial tires rather than fragile antique constructions. That makes them more practical for normal collector-car road use than period tube-type designs.

Road safety still depends on the whole car, not just the tire size. Before driving a Subaru RX, check the age and condition of the tires, inspect the wheels, confirm inflation pressures, and make sure brakes, steering, and suspension are in good order, especially if the car has been dormant or is newly returned to service.

Before driving a Subaru RX, inspect tire pressure, sidewalls, tread condition, valve stems, and wheel condition, and confirm that the tires clear the body and suspension properly. Because every listed fitment is a 13-inch radial, the main concerns are condition, wheel width compatibility, and whether the car still carries the expected wheel diameter. Any vibration, pull, or visible irregular wear deserves attention before a longer drive.

A short pre-drive walkaround is especially worthwhile on a Subaru RX that sees intermittent use. Tires can lose pressure while parked, and an enthusiast car may spend enough time stored that age-related issues appear before mileage-related wear does, so a few minutes of inspection can prevent both tire damage and unnecessary stress on the chassis.

Appropriate speed for a Subaru RX depends on the exact tire fitted, its condition, and its service rating, not simply on the car itself. The listed 185/70R13 options include road-oriented radial tires, some with visible speed ratings in their full service descriptions, but no collector car should be driven hard on aged, damaged, or poorly stored tires. Tire condition always overrides theoretical capability.

The sensible approach is to treat a Subaru RX cautiously until the age, condition, balance, and inflation of its tires are known. If the car has fresh, properly fitted radials and the rest of the chassis is sorted, normal road speeds are realistic; if the tires are old or of uncertain history, keep speeds conservative until a full inspection is completed.