The 1985 Chrysler Laser sits squarely in the front-drive sport coupe era, when Chrysler paired sharp wedge styling with turbo-era performance character and a distinctly mid-1980s road feel. For buyers keeping one on the road today, tire fitment matters because this Laser uses four different radial sizes depending on sub-model and wheel setup, spanning both 14-inch and 15-inch rims. That means the real decision starts with identifying whether the car is a Base or XE, then narrowing the choice by sidewall style and tire series. A restoration-minded owner may want a more period-style presentation, while a driver-focused owner may be concentrating on wheel compatibility and overall stance.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1985 Chrysler Laser
The 1985 Chrysler Laser uses four primary tire sizes, and the right one depends first on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Base models use 14-inch radial sizes, while XE models use 15-inch radial sizes, so confirming both the trim and the actual wheels on the car is the key first step before comparing tire style, brand, or sidewall treatment.
185/70R14 is a metric radial size in which 185 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1985 Chrysler Laser, this size is part of the Base-model fitment story and keeps the car in a 14-inch radial format. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall designs from brands such as BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein across several tire series. It is a useful size for an owner who wants to keep the Base model on its proper wheel diameter while still having meaningful appearance and brand choices.
195/70R14 follows the same metric radial format, with a 195-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. This size is also associated with the 1985 Chrysler Laser Base, but it carries a slightly different fitment profile than the 185/70R14 option and should not be chosen by assumption. Product selection here is narrower, with a blackwall Dunlop Sport Classic offering the period-flavored radial look in the correct size family. It makes sense for a Base-model owner who has already confirmed the car’s wheel and existing size and wants to stay with a straightforward 14-inch radial setup.
205/60R15 is a metric radial size where 205 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. For the 1985 Chrysler Laser, this size belongs to the XE fitment range and moves the car to a lower-profile 15-inch presentation. Available options include blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter styles from Michelin, American Classic, Coker Classic, and BFGoodrich in several distinct tire series. This size deserves a close look when preserving XE wheel diameter while choosing between a more traditional appearance and a sportier sidewall treatment.
225/50R15 uses the same metric radial naming system, with a 225-millimeter nominal section width, a 50-series profile, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter. On the 1985 Chrysler Laser, it is part of the XE fitment range and represents the widest and lowest-profile primary size used on this model year. Tire selection in this exact size should be approached with special attention to wheel width and overall vehicle setup because profile and section width become more influential as sizes get broader. It is best evaluated by an XE owner who has already confirmed the car’s actual wheel package and wants to retain the intended 15-inch fitment character.
Tire fitment on the 1985 Chrysler Laser is not one-size-fits-all, because the Base and XE use different radial size groups and different rim diameters. Checking the exact sub-model matters before comparing tires, especially since the Base stays on 14-inch fitments while the XE moves to 15-inch options.
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1985 Chrysler Laser Base
The 1985 Chrysler Laser Base uses 14-inch radial tire sizes, with fitment centered around 185/70R14 and 195/70R14. That keeps the selection focused on confirming which of the two 14-inch sizes is on the car now, then choosing among the available blackwall or whitewall product styles where applicable.
The 1985 Chrysler Laser XE uses 15-inch radial tire sizes, with fitment built around 205/60R15 and 225/50R15. Tire choice here starts with confirming the exact XE wheel setup, then narrowing the decision by profile, sidewall presentation, and rim-width compatibility rather than assuming every 15-inch tire suits the car equally.
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 Chrysler Laser Tires for Sale
Available 1985 Chrysler Laser tire choices vary by sub-model and size, with brands including BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, Vredestein, American Classic, and Coker Classic. Across the supported sizes, buyers can compare blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter styles along with several distinct radial tire series.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 185/70R14
These FAQs focus on the tire sizes used on the 1985 Chrysler Laser, how Base and XE fitments differ, and what to compare when choosing among radial tires, sidewall styles, wheel sizes, and road-use checks.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1985 Chrysler Laser?
The 1985 Chrysler Laser uses four primary radial tire sizes: 185/70R14, 195/70R14, 205/60R15, and 225/50R15. The Base model uses the 14-inch sizes, while the XE uses the 15-inch sizes, so there is not one universal tire size for every 1985 Laser.
The most important first check is the exact sub-model and the actual wheels currently on the car. Many surviving 1980s sport coupes have had wheel changes over the years, so matching the tire to the car’s present rim diameter and confirmed size is more important than assuming every Laser uses the same fitment.
What size rim does a 1985 Chrysler Laser use?
A 1985 Chrysler Laser uses either a 14-inch or 15-inch rim, depending on the fitment. The 185/70R14 and 195/70R14 sizes are built for 14-inch wheels, while the 205/60R15 and 225/50R15 sizes are built for 15-inch wheels.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before anything else because a 14-inch tire and a 15-inch tire are not interchangeable. It is also smart to verify the wheel width on the car, especially with 15-inch XE fitments, since broader and lower-profile tires can be more sensitive to wheel setup and overall clearance.
Do all 1985 Chrysler Laser sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1985 Chrysler Laser Base uses 14-inch radial sizes, while the 1985 Chrysler Laser XE uses 15-inch radial sizes. That split means the two sub-models do not share one common tire size across the board.
This matters because the sub-model tells you which fitment family to start from before comparing brands or sidewall treatments. A buyer looking at a Base should stay focused on the 14-inch options, while an XE owner should confirm which 15-inch size is on the car before selecting a replacement tire.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1985 Chrysler Laser?
Start with the correct primary size for the exact car: Base models use 14-inch radial sizes, and XE models use 15-inch radial sizes. After that, compare the available tire’s construction, sidewall style, rim-width suitability where stated, and the overall character of the tire series.
The best choice depends on how the Laser is being kept and used. Some owners want a more traditional or restoration-oriented look, while others want a sportier visual presentation such as blackwall or raised white letter styling. Matching the tire to the car’s current wheels is just as important as picking the right appearance.
What sidewall styles are available for 1985 Chrysler Laser tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1985 Chrysler Laser include blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter styles, depending on the tire size. The 14-inch and 15-inch fitments do not all offer the same visual options, so sidewall choice is partly tied to the exact size the car uses.
That gives owners some flexibility in how the car presents without changing away from the correct size family. A blackwall tire tends to keep a straightforward sport-coupe look, while wide whitewall or raised white letter options create a more stylized appearance. The right pick should still begin with the proper size and wheel diameter.
What brands offer tires for the 1985 Chrysler Laser?
Tires for the 1985 Chrysler Laser are available from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, Vredestein, American Classic, and Coker Classic, depending on size. Brand choice changes across the fitment range, so not every brand appears in every one of the Laser’s four primary tire sizes.
That makes it worth narrowing the decision in the right order: first confirm the car’s size, then compare the brands available in that exact fitment. Once the correct size is established, the more useful differences usually come from sidewall styling, tire series character, and wheel-width compatibility rather than the brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1985 Chrysler Laser?
A period-style 1985 Chrysler Laser should begin with the correct primary radial size for its sub-model and wheel diameter. From there, the appearance can be shaped by the tire series and sidewall treatment, with choices in blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter depending on the exact fitment.
For most owners, the visual goal is less about claiming exact factory originality and more about finding a tire that suits the car’s mid-1980s character. Keeping the correct size family and proper wheel diameter usually matters more than chasing a dramatic look that changes the Laser’s stance or fitment balance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1985 Chrysler Laser?
On the 1985 Chrysler Laser, construction changes are not the main issue because the primary fitments are already radial. The more visible appearance differences come from the profile of the chosen size, the wheel diameter, and the sidewall style, rather than from deciding between bias-ply and radial construction.
That means a restored Laser’s look is shaped mostly by staying with the proper 14-inch or 15-inch setup and choosing a sidewall treatment that suits the car. A blackwall tire keeps the presentation restrained, while wide whitewall or raised white letter options push the appearance in a more customized direction.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1985 Chrysler Laser?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1985 Chrysler Laser even when the tire size is one that belongs to the model year. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body modifications can change how a 14-inch or 15-inch tire sits in the wheel opening and how it clears during steering travel.
A Laser that has been lowered, fitted with different wheels, or changed from its original setup should be checked carefully before replacement tires are chosen. The important points are wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance around the fenders and suspension, especially when dealing with the broader 15-inch XE size range.
What should I inspect before driving a 1985 Chrysler Laser on new tires?
Before driving a 1985 Chrysler Laser on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm that lug hardware is in good order, and make sure the tires are inflated properly for the setup being used. A quick look at alignment wear, suspension condition, and any evidence of rubbing is also worthwhile.
Collector and hobby cars often spend long periods parked, so the inspection should include older rubber hoses, tired shocks or struts, and any cracking or looseness that could affect how the car tracks on fresh tires. A short initial drive followed by a recheck for clearance and air loss is a smart final step.
How should tires on a collector 1985 Chrysler Laser be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1985 Chrysler Laser should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic inspections for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and attention to age as well as tread depth. Cars that are driven infrequently can develop tire issues long before the tread appears worn out.
Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on an older hobby car. Keeping the Laser away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving the car periodically can reduce prolonged loading in one spot. Routine visual checks before each drive are a good habit.
