The 1981 Mercury Lynx arrived in the early front-wheel-drive compact era, when practical packaging, lighter weight, and efficient road manners mattered as much as traditional styling cues. As Mercury’s version of Ford’s small hatchback platform, the Lynx appeals today to owners who appreciate preserved survivors and careful period-minded refurbishments. Tire fitment centers on two 13-inch radial sizes, 155/80R13 and 165/80R13, depending on the exact configuration. Available choices lean heavily toward whitewall radial options, including both narrow and wide whitewall presentations. For a restoration-oriented driver, the real decision is confirming the correct size first, then choosing the sidewall look and tire series that best suits the car’s appearance and intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1981 Mercury Lynx
The 1981 Mercury Lynx uses two primary tire sizes, and both are radial tires built for 13-inch rims. The first step is confirming the exact sub-model, since some versions use only 165/80R13 while others can use either 155/80R13 or 165/80R13. Once the size is confirmed, the choice usually comes down to whitewall style, tire series, and matching the tire’s rim-width range to the wheels currently on the car.
155/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 155 refers to the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1981 Mercury Lynx, this size suits 13-inch applications where the narrower footprint is appropriate to the car’s setup. Available options include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles across series such as UN106, Silvertown Radial, Classic Whitewall MA-1, and Tornel Classic. This size makes sense when maintaining the correct narrower fitment and appearance for the Lynx configuration in front of you.
165/80R13 is also a metric radial size, with a 165-millimeter nominal section width, an 80-series profile, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. On the 1981 Mercury Lynx, this size is the broader of the two primary fitments and appears across more of the covered sub-model range. Product choices include BFGoodrich and Maxxis options, with either a wide whitewall or a narrow whitewall depending on the look you want. This is the size to evaluate when the car calls for the wider primary fitment and you want to compare sidewall presentation as well as wheel-width compatibility.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1981 Mercury Lynx because tire size is not identical across the full range. Base and GL versions can use either primary size, while GS, LS, and RS models center on 165/80R13, so identifying the exact trim helps narrow the correct starting point before comparing available tires.
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1981 Mercury Lynx Base
The 1981 Mercury Lynx Base can use either of the two primary 13-inch radial sizes, which makes wheel and existing-fitment confirmation especially important. Tire selection then becomes a matter of choosing the right width range and the whitewall style that best suits the car’s current presentation.
The 1981 Mercury Lynx GL also spans both primary radial sizes, so the exact wheel setup on the car should be checked before choosing a replacement tire. That leaves room to decide between a narrower or wider fitment approach and between narrow or wide whitewall styling.
The 1981 Mercury Lynx GS uses the 165/80R13 radial fitment, keeping tire selection more straightforward than the dual-size trims. The main comparison points are sidewall appearance, tire series, and confirming that the installed wheel width matches the tire’s intended range.
The 1981 Mercury Lynx LS uses 165/80R13, giving this sub-model a single primary fitment path on a 13-inch rim. That lets the buyer focus less on size confusion and more on choosing between available whitewall treatments and overall presentation.
The 1981 Mercury Lynx RS also uses 165/80R13, so size selection begins with that established radial fitment. From there, the practical decision is whether the car’s look and use call for a narrow whitewall or a wider whitewall presentation.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1981 Mercury Lynx Tires for Sale
Available 1981 Mercury Lynx tires focus on 155/80R13 and 165/80R13 radial fitments, with options from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel. The main differences in the product grid are tire series, narrow versus wide whitewall styling, and rim-width compatibility within the 13-inch format.
Common 1981 Mercury Lynx tire questions usually come down to the correct 13-inch radial size for the exact sub-model, how the two sizes differ in application, and how to choose among available whitewall and tire-series options.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1981 Mercury Lynx?
The 1981 Mercury Lynx uses two primary radial tire sizes: 155/80R13 and 165/80R13. Both are built for 13-inch wheels, but they do not apply equally across every Lynx sub-model. Base and GL versions can use either size, while GS, LS, and RS models use 165/80R13.
The most important next step is confirming the exact trim and checking what is currently on the car. A surviving Lynx may still have original-style wheels, or it may have been changed over the years, so matching the replacement tire to the sub-model, wheel width, and present setup helps avoid choosing the wrong size.
What size rim does a 1981 Mercury Lynx use?
The tire fitments used on the 1981 Mercury Lynx are centered on a 13-inch rim diameter. Both 155/80R13 and 165/80R13 are 13-inch radial sizes, so the wheel diameter portion of the fitment stays the same even though the tire widths differ.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture. Wheel width still matters, especially if the car has replacement steel wheels, aftermarket wheels, or a wheel swap from another compact. Verifying both the 13-inch diameter and the actual wheel width makes it much easier to choose the correct tire size and compare available whitewall options confidently.
Do all 1981 Mercury Lynx sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 1981 Mercury Lynx does not use one universal tire size across all covered sub-models. Base and GL versions can use either 155/80R13 or 165/80R13, while GS, LS, and RS versions use 165/80R13 as their primary fitment.
That distinction matters because two cars that both say Lynx on the badge may not need the same replacement tire. Looking at the sub-model first narrows the fitment properly, and checking the wheels already on the vehicle helps confirm whether the car remains in its original-style configuration or has been altered since new.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165/80R13 tire for a 1981 Mercury Lynx?
Start with the confirmed fitment, then compare the factors that actually separate the available 165/80R13 options. For the 1981 Mercury Lynx, that means radial construction on a 13-inch rim, whitewall treatment, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility rather than a major difference in overall category.
A buyer restoring the car’s visual character may prefer the sidewall style first, while a driver-focused owner may begin with the wheel specification and intended use. It also helps to confirm the existing wheel width before selecting between available 165/80R13 tires, since the fitment decision should support both the car’s appearance and the wheel already installed.
What sidewall styles are available for 1981 Mercury Lynx tires?
1981 Mercury Lynx tire options in these sizes are offered with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. In 155/80R13, there are both narrow and wide whitewall choices, while 165/80R13 also includes narrow and wide whitewall presentations depending on the tire series and brand.
That makes sidewall appearance one of the biggest style decisions on this car. A narrow whitewall tends to keep the look subtle and compact-era appropriate, while a wider whitewall gives the tire more visual presence. Once the correct size is confirmed, the sidewall treatment becomes a useful way to align the tire with the Lynx’s overall restoration theme or preserved original character.
What brands offer tires for the 1981 Mercury Lynx?
The available brands for 1981 Mercury Lynx tire sizes include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel. Brand availability depends on the size, with 155/80R13 offering the broadest mix and 165/80R13 centered on BFGoodrich and Maxxis radial options.
Brand should be considered alongside the actual product characteristics, not by name alone. On this vehicle, the more useful comparison points are which size the car needs, whether the sidewall should be narrow or wide whitewall, and whether the wheel width matches the tire’s intended range. Those details shape the final choice more than the badge on the sidewall by itself.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1981 Mercury Lynx?
A period-style 1981 Mercury Lynx tire choice starts with the correct primary size for the exact sub-model, then moves to the visual character of the tire itself. Since the available fitments are radial 13-inch sizes, the appearance decision often centers on whether a narrow whitewall or a wide whitewall better suits the car.
Buyers preserving an everyday compact look may lean toward a subtler whitewall, while a more restoration-oriented presentation may favor a wider band if it matches the car’s intended style. Exact originality questions should be checked against vehicle literature, photos, or marque-specific references, but the right size and sidewall treatment create the strongest starting point.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1981 Mercury Lynx?
On the 1981 Mercury Lynx, tire construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are radial. That means the visual differences in a restored presentation come less from bias-ply versus radial and more from the tire’s proportions, the selected size, and the sidewall treatment available in that size.
A narrow whitewall can give the car a restrained, tidy look, while a wide whitewall changes the visual balance more noticeably on a small 13-inch wheel. Sticking with the correct radial size for the sub-model helps preserve the car’s stance and wheel opening relationship, which is often more important than chasing appearance through an incorrect tire size.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1981 Mercury Lynx?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1981 Mercury Lynx even when the tire size looks correct on paper. Wheel changes, altered wheel width, suspension work, lowering, or body changes can all influence how a 155/80R13 or 165/80R13 tire sits and clears during steering and suspension movement.
A Lynx with aftermarket wheels should be checked for more than rim diameter alone. The practical step is to verify the actual wheel width, inspect clearance at full steering lock, and look at the relationship between the tire and the fender openings. That is especially important on a compact car where small dimensional changes can have a visible effect.
What should I inspect before driving a 1981 Mercury Lynx on new tires?
Before putting a 1981 Mercury Lynx back into regular road use on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm that the tire size matches the sub-model and wheel, and make sure the valve stems and mounting condition are sound. It also helps to check alignment-related wear patterns on the old tires before they come off.
A fresh tire does not correct worn suspension or steering components, so the car should also be checked for loose joints, deteriorated bushings, and uneven ride height. Proper inflation, clean bead seats, and a quick clearance check after installation round out the process and help the Lynx drive as intended without avoidable fitment surprises.
How should 155/80R13 and 165/80R13 tires on a collector 1981 Mercury Lynx be maintained?
Collector-car tire care for a 1981 Mercury Lynx begins with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and keeping the tires clean and properly stored. Even radial tires on a lightly used compact can age out from time, sunlight, and long stationary periods before they ever wear out from mileage.
It is smart to look routinely for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, or slow air loss. Storage away from prolonged heat, ozone sources, and direct sunlight helps preserve the tires, and moving the car occasionally can reduce flat spotting. A low-mileage Lynx should still have its tires inspected before any longer drive, not just at annual service time.
