The 1985 Renault Encore came from an era when compact hatchbacks were balancing European packaging, fuel-economy priorities, and a more modern front-wheel-drive driving feel. For owners today, that means tire choice is less about vintage bias-ply authenticity and more about matching the exact wheel and sub-model setup the car uses. The 1985 Renault Encore uses radial tires, with fitments in 155/80R13, 175/70R13, and 185/60R14 depending on version. Available choices range from traditional whitewall presentations in the 13-inch sizes to blackwall performance-oriented options in 13- and 14-inch applications. The key is confirming the correct sub-model and rim diameter before choosing for appearance, road use, or restoration character.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1985 Renault Encore
Three tire sizes apply to the 1985 Renault Encore, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Two sizes use 13-inch rims, while the GS uses a 14-inch fitment, so the first step is confirming both the sub-model and the wheels currently on the car. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to sidewall style, tire character, and how closely the tire matches the look and use of the car.
A 155/80R13 tire is a metric radial with a 155-millimeter nominal section width, an 80-series profile, and fitment for a 13-inch rim. On the 1985 Renault Encore, this size suits certain Base and S applications and keeps to a narrower, taller-sidewall presentation than the wider alternatives. Available choices include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments across several classic-oriented series. It is the size to evaluate when the car uses the smaller 13-inch setup and a more traditional appearance matters as much as basic fitment.
A 175/70R13 tire is a metric radial with a 175-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, and a 13-inch rim diameter. On the 1985 Renault Encore, this size appears on LS models and also on certain Base and S versions, making it an important fitment to verify against the exact car. The available product uses Avon’s CR6ZZ series in a blackwall configuration, giving this size a distinctly different character from the whitewall-oriented 155/80R13 choices. It is a useful option when the car is set up around the 13-inch wheel but calls for a lower-profile, wider metric tire.
A 185/60R14 tire is a metric radial with a 185-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, and fitment for a 14-inch rim. On the 1985 Renault Encore, this size is tied to the GS and stands apart from the 13-inch applications by wheel diameter as well as section and profile. The available choice is a blackwall Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2, which gives this fitment a more modern performance-oriented presentation than the whitewall 13-inch offerings. It is the size to focus on only after confirming the car uses the 14-inch wheel setup, since rim diameter alone makes it a separate fitment path.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1985 Renault Encore because tire size is not the same across the range. Some versions share 13-inch radial options, while the GS moves to a 14-inch radial setup, so identifying the exact sub-model is the most reliable place to start.
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1985 Renault Encore Base
The 1985 Renault Encore Base uses one of two 13-inch radial tire sizes, so wheel confirmation is especially important before making a selection. Once the correct setup is confirmed, the choice becomes whether to stay with a narrower whitewall-style presentation or move to the wider blackwall 13-inch fitment.
The 1985 Renault Encore GS uses the 185/60R14 radial fitment, making it the only covered sub-model here with a 14-inch wheel requirement. That means tire selection begins with rim diameter first, then moves to choosing a blackwall tire suited to the car’s actual wheel and road-use setup.
The 1985 Renault Encore LS uses the 175/70R13 radial size on a 13-inch rim. For this sub-model, the focus is less about multiple size possibilities and more about choosing a tire that matches the car’s wheel dimensions, intended use, and desired appearance.
The 1985 Renault Encore S can use either of two 13-inch radial tire sizes, so it should not be treated as a one-size-fits-all application. Checking the wheels already on the car will determine whether the better comparison is the narrower 155/80R13 choices or the wider 175/70R13 fitment.
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 Renault Encore Tires for Sale
Available Renault Encore tire choices span Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Tornel, Avon, and Michelin, with differences in tire series, blackwall versus whitewall appearance, and rim-width compatibility. The strongest contrast is between the classic-style 155/80R13 whitewall options and the blackwall 175/70R13 and 185/60R14 fitments.
These Renault Encore FAQs focus on the exact tire sizes used in 1985, how sub-model and rim diameter affect fitment, and how to sort through available radial, sidewall, and product choices before the car goes back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1985 Renault Encore?
The 1985 Renault Encore uses three radial tire sizes: 155/80R13, 175/70R13, and 185/60R14. The Base and S can use either 155/80R13 or 175/70R13, the LS uses 175/70R13, and the GS uses 185/60R14.
That makes the first step identifying the exact sub-model and confirming whether the car has 13-inch or 14-inch wheels. A Renault Encore that has been changed over to different wheels or tires in the past should be measured and checked carefully so the next tire matches the actual setup, not just the model name.
What size rim does a 1985 Renault Encore use?
A 1985 Renault Encore uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on sub-model and tire size. The 155/80R13 and 175/70R13 fitments use 13-inch rims, while the 185/60R14 fitment uses a 14-inch rim.
Rim diameter is the quickest way to narrow the tire search because a 13-inch tire and a 14-inch tire are not interchangeable. It also helps to confirm wheel width before choosing among available products, especially on a car that may have replacement wheels, aftermarket wheels, or a mixed set installed over time.
Why does the 1985 Renault Encore have more than one tire size?
The 1985 Renault Encore has more than one tire size because fitment varies by sub-model and wheel setup. Base and S versions can use either 155/80R13 or 175/70R13, the LS uses 175/70R13, and the GS uses the separate 185/60R14 fitment.
In practice, that means the right tire cannot be chosen by year, make, and model alone. The buyer should confirm the exact sub-model, then verify the wheels on the car now, since an older hatchback may have been changed from its original wheel-and-tire combination during normal service or enthusiast ownership.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1985 Renault Encore?
Start with the correct size for the exact sub-model and wheel diameter, then compare the tire’s character within that size. On a 1985 Renault Encore, the main variables are 13-inch versus 14-inch fitment, sidewall style, rim-width range, and whether the car is being kept closer to a traditional look or a more modern blackwall presentation.
The available choices show that different sizes serve different purposes. A 155/80R13 may appeal to an owner who wants a whitewall look, while the 175/70R13 and 185/60R14 blackwall options suit a different appearance and wheel setup. Matching the tire to the actual wheel and intended use matters more than choosing by looks alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1985 Renault Encore tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1985 Renault Encore include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on tire size. The 155/80R13 fitment has the broadest appearance range, while the 175/70R13 and 185/60R14 products shown here are blackwall tires.
That gives the 13-inch narrower size the strongest restoration-style flexibility, especially for an owner who wants a more traditional presentation. Sidewall style should still come after basic fitment, since choosing a whitewall or blackwall is only useful once the correct size and rim diameter have already been confirmed on the car.
What brands offer tires for the 1985 Renault Encore?
Tires for the 1985 Renault Encore are available from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Tornel, Avon, and Michelin. Brand availability depends on the size, with the greatest variety appearing in 155/80R13, while 175/70R13 and 185/60R14 are represented by more specialized single-product options.
That brand spread matters because it affects the kind of comparison you can make within each fitment. In the 155/80R13 size, the buyer can compare sidewall treatments and series more directly, while the other two sizes are narrower in selection and should be judged first by correct fitment, wheel compatibility, and the car’s intended use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1985 Renault Encore?
For a period-style 1985 Renault Encore, the decision begins with the size actually used by the car, then moves to presentation within that size. The 155/80R13 fitment offers the strongest traditional appearance options here, including narrow whitewall and wide whitewall choices, while the 175/70R13 and 185/60R14 products shown are blackwall tires.
A restoration-oriented buyer should separate visual preference from fitment facts. Whitewall and blackwall treatments can change the car’s look significantly, but they do not override the need to match the correct sub-model and wheel diameter. When exact originality matters, period photos, marque references, and vehicle-specific history are worth checking before final selection.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1985 Renault Encore?
On the 1985 Renault Encore, construction is straightforward because the covered fitments are radial tires. That means the visual differences come less from bias-ply versus radial construction and more from the tire’s profile, wheel diameter, sidewall treatment, and the overall stance created by 13-inch versus 14-inch fitment.
A restored Encore can take on a noticeably different character depending on whether it wears a whitewall 155/80R13 or a blackwall 175/70R13 or 185/60R14. Keeping the tire size aligned with the correct wheel setup preserves the proportions of the car better than chasing appearance alone, especially on a compact hatchback with modest overall dimensions.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1985 Renault Encore?
Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1985 Renault Encore, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels, a suspension height change, or body and fender alterations. Because this model uses both 13-inch and 14-inch fitments depending on version, wheel changes can quickly move the car away from its original tire-size path.
A modified Encore should be checked for actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at full steering lock and normal suspension travel before a new tire is chosen. Even when the size looks close on paper, the car’s current setup determines whether the tire is a sensible choice for road use and overall fitment.
What should I inspect before driving a 1985 Renault Encore on new tires?
Before driving a 1985 Renault Encore on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and the general condition of the suspension and steering components. Tire pressure should be set correctly, and the tires themselves should be checked for any signs of shipping damage, bead seating problems, or unusual air loss after installation.
An older compact car also benefits from a quick clearance check once the vehicle is back on the ground. Turning the steering from lock to lock and watching for rubbing is especially important on 13-inch applications that may have seen wheel changes over the years. A short, cautious road test can confirm that everything settles in normally.
How should tires on a collector 1985 Renault Encore be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1985 Renault Encore should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related deterioration as well as tread wear. Collector cars often accumulate fewer miles, so sidewall cracking, flat spotting, or slow air loss can become more relevant than simple mileage-based wear.
Storage conditions matter just as much as use. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. It also makes sense to inspect the tires before each outing, since a low-use vehicle can sit for long periods and still develop problems that affect road manners and safety.
