The 1984 Renault Encore reflects the compact, front-wheel-drive economy cars that defined much of the early 1980s, but it also carries the distinct character of Renault's American-market small cars. For owners keeping one on the road today, tire selection is less about nostalgia alone and more about matching the exact sub-model and wheel setup. The 1984 Renault Encore uses radial tires in three primary sizes: 155/80R13, 175/70R13, and 185/60R14. Available choices range from blackwall sport-oriented options to narrow and wide whitewall radials, depending on size. The key is confirming the correct sub-model and rim diameter first, then choosing the look and driving character that best suits the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1984 Renault Encore
Three tire sizes apply to the 1984 Renault Encore, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Two sizes use 13-inch rims, while the GS uses a 14-inch rim with a lower-profile radial. Before choosing a tire, confirm both the sub-model and the actual wheel diameter on the car, especially if it has been changed over the years.
155/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 155 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1984 Renault Encore, this size suits certain Base and S applications and keeps a narrow, traditional small-car footprint. Available choices include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall styles depending on the tire series. This size is worth considering when preserving a more original-looking stance on a 13-inch wheel setup.
175/70R13 is also a metric radial, with a 175-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, and fitment for a 13-inch rim. For the 1984 Renault Encore, it appears on certain Base and S versions as well as the LS, making it one of the more important sizes to confirm when identifying sub-model fitment. The available product in this size is an Avon CR6ZZ blackwall radial, giving it a more performance-oriented presentation than the whitewall options found in 155/80R13. This size deserves a close look when the car is running 13-inch wheels and a sportier profile is part of the goal.
185/60R14 is a metric radial size that combines a 185-millimeter nominal section width with a lower 60-series profile on a 14-inch rim. On the 1984 Renault Encore, this size is tied to the GS and stands apart from the 13-inch fitments by requiring a different wheel diameter. The available option is a Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 blackwall radial, which gives this size a distinctly modern performance-radial character within the correct dimensions. This is the size to evaluate when the car is a GS or already equipped with the proper 14-inch wheels.
Tire fitment for the 1984 Renault Encore varies by sub-model, and some versions share more than one acceptable size on the same rim diameter. Checking the exact trim matters because the GS moves to a 14-inch wheel while the other covered versions stay with 13-inch fitments.
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1984 Renault Encore Base
The 1984 Renault Encore Base uses 13-inch radial fitments and can be found with either 155/80R13 or 175/70R13. Tire selection starts with confirming which wheel and tire package is actually on the car, then choosing between a narrower traditional look or a slightly wider, lower-profile 13-inch option.
The 1984 Renault Encore GS uses the 185/60R14 radial size, making wheel diameter the first fitment checkpoint. That gives the GS a distinct tire-selection path centered on 14-inch blackwall radial fitment rather than the 13-inch options used elsewhere in the Encore range.
The 1984 Renault Encore LS uses the 175/70R13 radial size on a 13-inch wheel. That keeps the decision focused on choosing the right tire character within that size, along with confirming wheel width and overall fitment on the car as it sits today.
The 1984 Renault Encore S uses 13-inch radial fitments and may take either 155/80R13 or 175/70R13. Selecting the right tire means verifying the actual wheel setup first, then deciding whether the car is better suited to a whitewall presentation or a sportier blackwall-style approach.
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 1984 Renault Encore Tires for Sale
Available 1984 Renault Encore tires span several distinct buying paths: 155/80R13 options from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel in narrow or wide whitewall styles, plus blackwall Avon 175/70R13 and Michelin 185/60R14 radials for the sportier 13-inch and 14-inch fitments.
These 1984 Renault Encore tire FAQs focus on the exact fitment questions that matter most, including sub-model size differences, 13-inch versus 14-inch wheel fitment, sidewall and brand choices, and the checks worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1984 Renault Encore?
The 1984 Renault Encore uses three primary radial tire sizes: 155/80R13, 175/70R13, and 185/60R14. The correct size depends on the sub-model and wheel package, with Base and S versions using either 155/80R13 or 175/70R13, the LS using 175/70R13, and the GS using 185/60R14.
That makes sub-model identification and wheel confirmation the first step before choosing a tire. A car that has changed wheels over time may no longer match its original trim-based setup, so checking the actual rim diameter and the size currently mounted helps avoid choosing a tire that belongs to a different Encore configuration.
What size rim does a 1984 Renault Encore use?
A 1984 Renault Encore uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the tire size and sub-model. The 155/80R13 and 175/70R13 fitments use 13-inch rims, while the 185/60R14 fitment uses a 14-inch rim for the GS.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before anything else because a 13-inch tire and a 14-inch tire are not interchangeable. It is also worth checking wheel width when comparing products, especially on an older car that may have aftermarket wheels or replacement rims installed at some point in its life.
Why does the 1984 Renault Encore have more than one tire size?
The 1984 Renault Encore has more than one tire size because fitment changes across the Base, LS, S, and GS sub-models. Some versions share 13-inch radial sizes, while the GS uses a 14-inch wheel with a 185/60R14 tire, creating a separate fitment path within the same model year.
That variation means the right tire is not chosen by year and model alone. Looking at the trim level, confirming the actual wheel diameter, and checking whether the car still carries its original wheel setup are all practical steps before selecting a replacement tire for road use or restoration-minded upkeep.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 155/80R13 tire for a 1984 Renault Encore?
Choosing a 155/80R13 tire for a 1984 Renault Encore starts with confirming that the car is one of the Base or S applications using that size on a 13-inch rim. Within 155/80R13, available options vary by brand, tire series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, and load details where those figures are published.
This size offers the broadest appearance choice on the Encore, including narrow whitewall and wide whitewall radials from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel. A buyer deciding among them should balance the desired look, the wheel width on the car, and whether the goal is a more traditional presentation or simply a clean, usable radial replacement.
What sidewall styles are available for 1984 Renault Encore tires?
Sidewall style depends on the size chosen for the 1984 Renault Encore. The 155/80R13 fitment includes narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options, while the available 175/70R13 and 185/60R14 products are blackwall radials.
That difference matters because sidewall treatment changes the car's visual character even when the fitment remains correct. A whitewall can support a more traditional small-car appearance on 13-inch wheels, while blackwall tires suit a simpler or more performance-oriented look, particularly on the LS or GS configurations.
What brands offer tires for the 1984 Renault Encore?
Tires for the 1984 Renault Encore are available from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Tornel, Avon, and Michelin, depending on the size. Brand choice is tied directly to fitment, since the largest number of options appears in 155/80R13, while 175/70R13 and 185/60R14 each follow a narrower product path.
The practical comparison is less about ranking brands and more about matching the right product to the car's wheel setup and intended presentation. Looking at size first, then comparing sidewall style, tire series, and rim-width compatibility helps narrow the field without drifting away from the proper Encore fitment.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1984 Renault Encore?
A period-style 1984 Renault Encore tire choice begins with using the correct size for the sub-model and wheel diameter. Among the current options, 155/80R13 offers the broadest traditional appearance range because it is available in both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall radial styles on the proper 13-inch rim.
That does not make every whitewall an exact original-style match for every Encore, but it does provide a useful restoration-oriented starting point. Buyers pursuing stronger authenticity should compare sidewall treatment, overall stance, and trim-specific historical references before settling on the final tire for the car.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1984 Renault Encore?
Tire construction is straightforward on the 1984 Renault Encore because the primary fitments are radial across all covered sizes. The appearance difference comes less from choosing between bias-ply and radial and more from selecting the right profile, wheel diameter, and sidewall style for the exact Base, LS, S, or GS setup.
A restored Encore on 13-inch whitewall radials will present differently from one on blackwall 175/70R13 tires, and the GS with 185/60R14 has its own lower-profile look. Matching the tire to the car's trim, stance, and intended era feel usually matters more here than construction changes alone.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1984 Renault Encore?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1984 Renault Encore even when the tire size itself is one of the correct listed options. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered offset, lowering, spring replacement, or body repairs can all influence how a 13-inch or 14-inch tire sits in the wheel opening.
That is especially important on a compact car with multiple fitment paths like the Encore. Checking steering clearance, suspension travel, and fender room on the actual car helps confirm that the chosen size still works with its present setup rather than only with its original trim-based specification.
What should I inspect before driving a 1984 Renault Encore on new tires?
Before driving a 1984 Renault Encore on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and general condition, then verify that the tires are mounted in the proper size for the car's sub-model. It is also wise to check inflation, valve stems, lug hardware, and visible clearances at the fenders and suspension points.
On an older Encore, the surrounding chassis condition matters almost as much as the tires themselves. Worn suspension parts, alignment problems, or brake issues can affect how a new set of tires behaves, so a careful once-over before regular use helps the car make the most of the correct fitment.
How often should tires on a 1984 Renault Encore be inspected?
Tires on a 1984 Renault Encore should be inspected regularly, especially if the car sees limited use or spends long periods parked. Pressure loss, sidewall cracking, tread wear, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear patterns are all worth checking on a routine basis rather than waiting for a longer drive.
Collector-age small cars can appear roadworthy while the tires age quietly in storage, so visual inspection alone is not always enough. Checking condition before seasonal use, before highway driving, and after long storage periods helps catch issues early and keeps the correct 13-inch or 14-inch fitment ready for service.
