The 1985 Buick Skyhawk sits in the front-wheel-drive, downsized era when compact Buicks balanced everyday practicality with trim-specific styling and equipment differences. By this point, the Skyhawk had moved well beyond Buick’s earlier personal-coupe image and into a more modern 1980s package, which makes exact tire fitment especially important. Tire choice on the 1985 Buick Skyhawk centers on three radial sizes: 175/80R13, 195/70R13, and 205/60R14, with fitment changing by sub-model and wheel diameter. Available options also vary by whitewall treatment, brand, and tire series. The right selection starts with confirming the exact trim and wheel setup before focusing on appearance or replacement style.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1985 Buick Skyhawk
Three tire sizes apply to the 1985 Buick Skyhawk, and the correct choice depends first on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Custom, Limited, and Wagon models use 13-inch rim fitments in either 175/80R13 or 195/70R13, while the T-Type uses a 14-inch rim with 205/60R14. Before comparing brands or whitewall styles, confirm which trim the car is and whether it still has the intended wheel size.
175/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 175 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1985 Buick Skyhawk, this size serves 13-inch-wheel applications and suits buyers staying with a taller-profile 1980s radial format. Available choices include Maxxis and BFGoodrich options in distinct series, along with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall presentations. It is a useful size to evaluate when maintaining a traditional compact-car profile and matching the tire to the car’s existing 13-inch wheels.
195/70R13 is also a metric radial, with 195 denoting nominal section width in millimeters, 70 showing the aspect ratio, and 13 identifying a 13-inch rim. This size keeps radial construction while shifting to a lower-profile format than 175/80R13, making it an important distinction on 13-inch Skyhawk applications. BFGoodrich offers this size in the Silvertown Radial series with a narrow whitewall treatment. It should be considered only after confirming that the car’s trim and wheel setup call for this 13-inch fitment rather than the alternative 13-inch size.
205/60R14 is a metric radial size where 205 represents nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, and 14 means it mounts on a 14-inch wheel. On the 1985 Buick Skyhawk, this size matters because it is tied to a different rim diameter than the 13-inch fitments used elsewhere in the lineup. Its lower-profile format gives it a distinctly different fitment role from the two 13-inch sizes. This is the size to verify when working with a T-Type, since wheel diameter confirmation comes before any comparison of styling or replacement preferences.
Sub-model identification matters on the 1985 Buick Skyhawk because tire fitment is not the same across the lineup. Custom, Limited, and Wagon models share the 13-inch fitment family, while the T-Type moves to a separate 14-inch tire size that should be confirmed before selection.
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1985 Buick Skyhawk Custom
The 1985 Buick Skyhawk Custom uses 13-inch radial fitments, with either 175/80R13 or 195/70R13 associated with this trim. Tire selection starts with confirming which 13-inch size is on the car now, then comparing the available sidewall appearance and series choices within that fitment.
The 1985 Buick Skyhawk Limited also stays within the 13-inch radial group, using either 175/80R13 or 195/70R13. That means the key step is verifying the actual wheel and existing tire size before choosing between a taller-profile or lower-profile 13-inch replacement approach.
The 1985 Buick Skyhawk T-Type uses 205/60R14 radial tires, separating it from the 13-inch fitments used on other Skyhawk sub-models. Tire selection here begins with the 14-inch wheel requirement, so a T-Type owner should confirm the wheel setup before considering any appearance or replacement preferences.
The 1985 Buick Skyhawk Wagon uses the same 13-inch radial fitment family as the Custom and Limited, with 175/80R13 and 195/70R13 applying here. Choosing correctly means checking the wagon’s current wheel and tire size first, then selecting the radial style that best matches the vehicle’s look and intended use.
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 1985 Buick Skyhawk Tires for Sale
Available 1985 Buick Skyhawk tire choices center on 13-inch radial fitments from Maxxis and BFGoodrich, with differences in tire series, whitewall styling, rim-width compatibility, weight, and load capacity. Buyers comparing products will mainly be choosing between narrow whitewall and wide whitewall presentation within the correct size.
Owners of a 1985 Buick Skyhawk usually need to sort out the correct tire size by sub-model first, then compare 13-inch versus 14-inch rim fitment, whitewall style, and practical road-use checks before putting the car back into service.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1985 Buick Skyhawk?
The 1985 Buick Skyhawk uses three radial tire sizes: 175/80R13, 195/70R13, and 205/60R14. Custom, Limited, and Wagon models use the 13-inch sizes, while the T-Type uses 205/60R14 on a 14-inch wheel.
That means the right choice starts with confirming the exact sub-model and the actual wheel diameter on the car. A Skyhawk that has had wheels changed over the years may not still match its original trim-based fitment, so checking the current wheel and tire markings is the safest starting point before comparing replacement options.
What size rim does a 1985 Buick Skyhawk use?
A 1985 Buick Skyhawk uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on sub-model and tire size. The 175/80R13 and 195/70R13 fitments use 13-inch rims, while the 205/60R14 fitment uses a 14-inch rim.
Rim diameter is the first thing to verify because a 13-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 14-inch wheel, and a 14-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 13-inch wheel. On an older compact Buick, wheel swaps are common enough that a quick check of the wheel or existing tire sidewall can prevent ordering the wrong size.
Why does the 1985 Buick Skyhawk have more than one tire size?
The 1985 Buick Skyhawk has more than one tire size because fitment varies by sub-model. Custom, Limited, and Wagon versions use 13-inch radial sizes, while the T-Type uses a different 14-inch radial size.
Even within the 13-inch group, more than one size can apply, so trim level alone may not answer every question if the car has been changed over time. The practical next step is to confirm both the sub-model and the wheel diameter, then match the replacement tire to the size already intended for that configuration.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1985 Buick Skyhawk?
Start with the correct size and wheel diameter for the exact 1985 Buick Skyhawk sub-model. The main fitment split is between the 13-inch radial sizes used on Custom, Limited, and Wagon models and the 14-inch 205/60R14 fitment used on the T-Type.
After size is confirmed, compare the details that affect how the car looks and how the tire matches the wheel. Those details can include whitewall style, tire series, rim-width range, load capacity, and whether the car is being kept close to its original presentation or simply needs a suitable period-friendly replacement.
What sidewall styles are available for 1985 Buick Skyhawk tires?
Available sidewall styles for the 1985 Buick Skyhawk’s supported 13-inch tire options include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall. Those choices appear in the 175/80R13 and 195/70R13 product range, depending on brand and tire series.
Sidewall style matters most for owners who want the tire to complement the car’s overall look rather than just match the size. A narrow whitewall gives a subtler late-classic appearance, while a wide whitewall creates a more pronounced traditional presentation, so the visual goal should be settled only after the correct tire size is confirmed.
What brands offer tires for the 1985 Buick Skyhawk?
Maxxis and BFGoodrich offer supported tire choices for the 1985 Buick Skyhawk’s available 13-inch fitments. BFGoodrich appears in both 175/80R13 and 195/70R13, while Maxxis is available in 175/80R13.
Brand is only one part of the decision, since the more useful comparison usually comes from the size itself, sidewall treatment, and tire series. A buyer should also compare the tire’s rim-width range and load figure so the selected option suits the wheel already on the car and the way the Skyhawk will actually be used.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1985 Buick Skyhawk?
A period-style 1985 Buick Skyhawk tire choice starts with staying in the correct trim-specific size and wheel diameter. For 13-inch applications, the available radial options in 175/80R13 and 195/70R13 offer a distinctly 1980s look, especially when paired with an appropriate whitewall treatment.
The best appearance choice depends on whether the goal is a restrained everyday Buick look or a more pronounced traditional whitewall presentation. Owners pursuing exact originality should compare the car against period photos, original sales material, or marque-specific references, since a size may be right for the vehicle without every sidewall detail being historically exact.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1985 Buick Skyhawk?
Tire construction is straightforward on the 1985 Buick Skyhawk because the applicable primary fitments are radial. That means the restoration appearance question is less about choosing between bias-ply and radial construction, and more about selecting the right profile and sidewall treatment within the proper size.
A taller 175/80R13 presents differently from a lower-profile 195/70R13, even though both are radial 13-inch fitments. Whitewall width also changes the visual character significantly, so a restored Skyhawk benefits from matching the tire’s profile and sidewall style to the trim level, wheel choice, and overall presentation of the finished car.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1985 Buick Skyhawk?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1985 Buick Skyhawk. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, or a switch between 13-inch and 14-inch setups can all change which tire size is appropriate for the car.
A modified Skyhawk should be checked at the wheel itself rather than relying only on the original sub-model fitment. Tire diameter, section width, and clearance around the fender, suspension, and steering components all deserve a look before replacement, especially when the car no longer sits on its original wheels or ride height.
What should I inspect before driving a 1985 Buick Skyhawk on new tires?
Before driving a 1985 Buick Skyhawk on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm that the tire size matches the wheel diameter, and make sure the tires are inflated properly for service. It also helps to look over the valve stems and verify that each tire seats correctly on the rim.
Older cars often sit for long periods, so the rest of the chassis deserves attention as well. Steering response, brake condition, suspension wear, and any signs of rubbing should be checked during the first short drive, since a tire can be new and correctly sized but still reveal problems elsewhere on the vehicle.
How often should tires on a 1985 Buick Skyhawk be inspected?
Tires on a 1985 Buick Skyhawk should be inspected regularly, with a close look before seasonal use, before longer drives, and anytime the car has been stored for a while. Collector-era cars and lightly used drivers can develop age-related issues even when tread wear remains minimal.
Look for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and gradual air loss, and make sure the tread is wearing evenly across the tire. Storage conditions matter too, so keeping the Skyhawk away from prolonged sunlight, heat, and ozone sources helps protect the tires between drives and reduces surprises when the car goes back on the road.
