The 1985 Subaru RX came from a period when Subaru was building a reputation for compact performance cars with rally-bred character and practical all-weather credibility. That makes tire choice especially important on a car that blends sharp period handling with collector-era appeal. The 1985 Subaru RX uses a 185/70R13 radial tire on a 13-inch rim, so the focus is less about sorting through multiple primary sizes and more about choosing the right tire within that fitment. Available options range from traditional blackwall sport-oriented radials to redline and wide whitewall treatments. The right selection depends on whether the goal is road use, period-style presentation, or a restoration-minded balance of both.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1985 Subaru RX
The 1985 Subaru RX uses one primary tire size: 185/70R13, a radial fitment for a 13-inch wheel. The 1985 Subaru RX Turbo uses that same size, so the main decision is choosing the tire style, brand, and series that best suit the car's intended appearance and driving use rather than sorting through multiple factory-type fitments.
A 185/70R13 size uses a 185-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. On the 1985 Subaru RX, that makes it a modern metric radial fitment that aligns well with the car's mid-1980s performance-oriented character. Within this size, choices include BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, with blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall presentations depending on the series. Choosing among them comes down to the balance you want between period appearance, sport-oriented tire character, and compatibility with the wheel width already on the car.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1985 Subaru RX. The covered RX Turbo version uses the same primary tire size, so selection is mainly about choosing the right radial tire within that shared fitment rather than identifying a different size.
1
1985 Subaru RX Turbo
The 1985 Subaru RX Turbo uses the same 185/70R13 radial fitment as the core model. That keeps tire selection focused on choosing among available radial products, sidewall treatments, and series while confirming the car still has the correct 13-inch wheel setup.
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 Subaru RX Tires for Sale
Available 185/70R13 choices span BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, with blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall styles represented. The product grid is where to compare tire series, radial construction details, load figures where stated, and rim-width compatibility.
These FAQs focus on 1985 Subaru RX tire size, 13-inch rim fitment, radial tire selection, sidewall and brand choices, and the checks worth making before putting a collector-era RX back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1985 Subaru RX?
The 1985 Subaru RX uses a 185/70R13 radial tire. That size is the primary fitment for this model, and the covered 1985 Subaru RX Turbo uses the same size as well, keeping fitment straightforward at the year-make-model level.
The practical question is not which primary size fits, but which 185/70R13 tire best matches the car's current wheel setup and intended use. Before choosing a replacement, confirm that the car still has 13-inch wheels and has not been modified with different rims, altered suspension height, or body changes that could affect clearance.
What size rim does a 1985 Subaru RX use?
The 1985 Subaru RX uses a 13-inch rim with its 185/70R13 tire size. The size code itself ends in 13, which identifies the wheel diameter the tire is built to mount on, and the tire dimension details for this fitment also point to a 13.0-inch rim diameter.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so wheel width still matters when comparing available tires. Several 185/70R13 products note rim-width ranges, including 4.5 to 6.0 inches, 4.5 to 6.5 inches, and 5.00 to 6.50 inches, making it smart to measure the wheel before final tire selection.
Does the 1985 Subaru RX Turbo use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1985 Subaru RX Turbo uses the same 185/70R13 radial tire size as the core 1985 Subaru RX fitment. That means the sub-model does not introduce a separate primary tire size that would change the basic fitment direction.
Even with shared size fitment, the best tire choice can still vary depending on how the car is being kept or driven. A restoration-minded owner may care about sidewall appearance, while a road-use owner may focus more on tire series and wheel-width compatibility within the same 185/70R13 size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 185/70R13 tire for a 1985 Subaru RX?
Start with the correct size and construction: 185/70R13 radial on a 13-inch wheel. From there, compare the available tire series, sidewall style, rim-width range, and any stated load figures that matter to how the car will actually be used and presented.
A 1985 Subaru RX can point buyers in different directions depending on the goal. Blackwall sport-oriented radials suit a more performance-minded presentation, while redline or wide whitewall options create a more stylized period look. It also helps to verify the actual wheel width on the car so the tire's rim-width specification matches the setup.
What sidewall styles are available for 1985 Subaru RX tires?
The 185/70R13 tires available for the 1985 Subaru RX include blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Blackwall appears across several sport and classic radial series, while BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial options add redline and 2-inch whitewall presentations in the same basic size.
Sidewall style changes the car's visual character far more than the size code does. A blackwall generally preserves a restrained 1980s performance look, while redline or wide whitewall treatment creates a more custom or restoration-oriented appearance. Choosing among them should be guided by the look you want, not by an assumption that one style was universal.
What brands offer tires for the 1985 Subaru RX?
185/70R13 tires for the 1985 Subaru RX are available from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Those brands cover several different tire series in the correct size, including Silvertown Radial, CR6ZZ, SP Sport Aquajet, Sport Classic, Michelin XDX-B, and Sprint Classic.
Brand choice is most useful when it helps narrow the type of tire you want rather than serving as a ranking exercise. Some options emphasize a traditional appearance, others present a more performance-oriented blackwall look, and their stated rim-width ranges or load figures may differ. Comparing those details is more helpful than choosing by brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1985 Subaru RX?
A period-style starting point for a 1985 Subaru RX is still the correct 185/70R13 radial size on a 13-inch wheel. From there, the choice depends on whether the car is being kept with a restrained blackwall performance look or styled with a more distinctive redline or wide whitewall presentation.
For many restorations, getting the size, stance, and overall visual balance right matters just as much as the brand name. If exact originality is important, vehicle-specific literature, marque-club guidance, and surviving reference cars are worth checking before settling on a sidewall treatment or tire series for the finished car.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1985 Subaru RX?
On a 1985 Subaru RX, the primary fitment is already radial, so the construction question is less about switching away from an earlier bias-ply look and more about selecting the right radial presentation. The visible difference comes mainly from sidewall treatment, tread character, and the overall style of the tire series.
That makes appearance decisions more subtle but still important on a restored car. A blackwall radial tends to preserve a cleaner sport-compact look, while redline or wide whitewall versions pull the car toward a more stylized period presentation. The best result usually comes from matching the tire's visual tone to the way the RX is being restored.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1985 Subaru RX?
Yes. Even though the 1985 Subaru RX uses a straightforward 185/70R13 radial fitment, modifications can change what works cleanly on the car. Aftermarket wheels, wheel-width changes, suspension lowering, spring changes, or body alterations can all affect clearance and the way a tire sits on the rim.
That matters most when the car no longer reflects its original wheel and ride-height setup. Checking actual wheel diameter and width, plus steering and fender clearance at full lock and suspension travel, helps prevent surprises. A tire in the correct nominal size still needs to suit the wheel and the car's present physical configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1985 Subaru RX on new tires?
Before driving a 1985 Subaru RX on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm valve stems are sound, and make sure the suspension and steering components are in serviceable shape. It also helps to verify that the new 185/70R13 tires seat properly and clear the body and suspension through their full range.
A collector-era car can have issues that are not obvious at first glance, especially after long storage. Check tire pressure, look for any unusual rubbing after a short drive, and keep an eye on alignment-related wear patterns as the tires begin to see use. Those steps help the car track properly and protect the new tires.
How should 185/70R13 tires on a collector 1985 Subaru RX be maintained?
Collector-car tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and sensible storage habits, and that applies to 185/70R13 tires on a 1985 Subaru RX as well. Watch for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, flat-spotting from long periods of sitting, uneven tread wear, and any sign of persistent air loss.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on an older enthusiast car. Keeping the RX away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving the car periodically can reduce stress from long static parking. Any doubtful tire condition deserves closer inspection before road use.
