The 1986 Buick Skyhawk came from an era when compact Buick models balanced everyday practicality with a more upscale presentation than many economy cars of the same period. For buyers working on one now, tire fitment matters because the Skyhawk used more than one radial size depending on the exact sub-model and wheel setup. Most versions use either 175/80R13 or 195/70R13 on 13-inch rims, while Sport and T-Type models use 205/60R14 on a 14-inch rim. That creates a real choice between confirming the original wheel diameter, selecting the right profile, and deciding how much emphasis to place on whitewall appearance for a restoration-minded or road-use-oriented car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Buick Skyhawk
The 1986 Buick Skyhawk uses three radial tire sizes, and the right one depends first on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Four sub-models use 13-inch fitments in either 175/80R13 or 195/70R13, while Sport and T-Type models use 205/60R14 on 14-inch rims. Before choosing a tire, confirm both the sub-model and the wheels currently on the car, especially if it has been changed from its original setup.
Fit(s): Custom, Custom Wagon, Limited, and Limited Wagon
Construction: Radial|Rim: 13 in
175/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 175 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1986 Buick Skyhawk, this size suits certain 13-inch wheel applications and keeps the fitment in a conventional 1980s compact-car radial format. Available choices include Maxxis and BFGoodrich, with both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall styles represented across different tire series. This size is worth considering when maintaining a softer, taller-profile appearance on a Skyhawk equipped for 13-inch tires.
Fit(s): Custom, Custom Wagon, Limited, and Limited Wagon
Construction: Radial|Rim: 13 in
195/70R13 is a metric radial size where 195 indicates nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R means radial, and 13 identifies the wheel diameter. For the 1986 Buick Skyhawk, it serves as another 13-inch fitment used on several non-sport sub-models, giving those cars a wider, lower-profile look than 175/80R13 while remaining within the same rim diameter. In this size, BFGoodrich offers a Silvertown Radial with a narrow whitewall presentation. It should be evaluated only after confirming that the car is one of the Skyhawk configurations that uses this 13-inch size.
205/60R14 is a metric radial size with a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, and a 14-inch rim diameter. On the 1986 Buick Skyhawk, this size belongs to the Sport and T-Type models, making it the key fitment for the more performance-oriented sub-models in the range. Its shorter sidewall and larger wheel diameter set it apart clearly from the 13-inch Skyhawk tire sizes. Choosing this size starts with verifying that the car still has the correct 14-inch wheel setup and has not been converted to another wheel and tire combination over time.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1986 Buick Skyhawk because tire size is not the same across the full lineup. The first step is identifying whether the car is one of the 13-inch Custom or Limited variants or a Sport or T-Type model that uses a 14-inch fitment.
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1986 Buick Skyhawk Custom
The 1986 Buick Skyhawk Custom uses 13-inch radial fitments, with 175/80R13 and 195/70R13 associated with this sub-model. Tire selection centers on confirming the wheel setup on the car and then choosing the profile and whitewall presentation that best match its intended look and use.
The 1986 Buick Skyhawk Custom Wagon shares the same 13-inch radial fitment pattern as other non-sport versions, using either 175/80R13 or 195/70R13. That makes wheel confirmation especially important before replacement, followed by a decision between a taller-profile tire or a slightly lower-profile 13-inch alternative.
The 1986 Buick Skyhawk Limited uses 13-inch radial tire sizes, with 175/80R13 and 195/70R13 tied to this sub-model. Once the actual wheels on the car are confirmed, the main choice becomes which size matches the existing setup and whether a narrow or wide whitewall style better suits the car.
The 1986 Buick Skyhawk Limited Wagon follows the same 13-inch radial fitment pattern as the other Limited and Custom variants, using either 175/80R13 or 195/70R13. That means replacement should begin with wheel and current-size verification, then move to appearance and product selection within the correct size.
The 1986 Buick Skyhawk Sport uses 205/60R14 radial tires rather than the 13-inch sizes found on other Skyhawk sub-models. For this version, the focus is confirming the 14-inch wheel setup and maintaining the correct low-profile fitment rather than selecting among the whitewall-oriented 13-inch options.
The 1986 Buick Skyhawk T-Type also uses the 205/60R14 radial fitment, separating it from the 13-inch Custom and Limited versions. Tire selection starts with preserving that 14-inch sizing approach and checking that the car has not been altered with different wheels or suspension changes that affect clearance.
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 1986 Buick Skyhawk Tires for Sale
Available 1986 Buick Skyhawk tire choices center on the 13-inch fitments, with BFGoodrich and Maxxis offerings in 175/80R13 and BFGoodrich in 195/70R13. The product grid highlights differences in tire series, narrow versus wide whitewall styling, and rim-width compatibility within those radial sizes.
These 1986 Buick Skyhawk tire FAQs focus on the size differences between sub-models, 13-inch versus 14-inch wheel fitment, radial tire selection, whitewall style choices, and the checks that matter before putting a collector-era compact back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Buick Skyhawk?
A 1986 Buick Skyhawk uses one of three radial tire sizes: 175/80R13, 195/70R13, or 205/60R14. Custom, Custom Wagon, Limited, and Limited Wagon models use the 13-inch sizes, while Sport and T-Type models use 205/60R14 on a 14-inch rim.
That means the correct answer starts with identifying the exact sub-model and confirming the wheels currently on the car. Many older cars have been changed over the years, so the replacement tire should match both the intended Skyhawk configuration and the actual rim diameter and width before any purchase decision is made.
What size rim does a 1986 Buick Skyhawk use?
The 1986 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 and a 14-inch tire are not interchangeable. After confirming diameter, check the wheel width against the tire's approved range, especially on 13-inch cars where replacement options include different radial profiles and whitewall styles.
Why does the 1986 Buick Skyhawk have more than one tire size?
The 1986 Buick Skyhawk has more than one tire size because the lineup includes different sub-models with different wheel and tire setups. Custom and Limited variants use 13-inch radial sizes, while Sport and T-Type models use a 14-inch radial fitment.
Within the 13-inch group, both 175/80R13 and 195/70R13 appear, so the car's exact configuration still needs to be confirmed before ordering tires. A quick check of the sub-model, current wheel diameter, and the tire size already mounted on the car usually clears up which replacement path makes sense.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 175/80R13 or 195/70R13 tire for a 1986 Buick Skyhawk?
Start with the correct size for the exact Skyhawk sub-model and the actual 13-inch wheels on the car. From there, compare radial construction details such as rim-width compatibility, load capacity at the stated pressure, tire series, and whether the tire's overall look suits a more original-style or everyday-driver presentation.
The two 13-inch sizes do not serve the same purpose, even though they share rim diameter. A buyer should also compare sidewall treatment, since available options include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall designs, and make sure the selected tire matches the car's current wheel width and intended use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Buick Skyhawk tires?
For the available 13-inch 1986 Buick Skyhawk tires, sidewall choices include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles. The 175/80R13 offerings include both treatments, while the 195/70R13 option shown here uses a narrow whitewall presentation.
Sidewall style affects the car's appearance more than its fitment basics, so the first priority is still choosing the correct size. Once that is settled, the whitewall width becomes a styling decision that can move the Skyhawk toward a cleaner late-1980s driver look or a more restoration-oriented presentation.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Buick Skyhawk?
Available tires for the 1986 Buick Skyhawk include offerings from BFGoodrich and Maxxis in the applicable 13-inch radial sizes. BFGoodrich appears in both 175/80R13 and 195/70R13, while Maxxis appears in 175/80R13.
Brand should be compared alongside the more practical details that affect the finished result, including tire series, whitewall treatment, approved rim width, and load capacity at the stated inflation pressure. The right choice depends less on brand name alone and more on matching the tire to the Skyhawk's size, wheels, and intended appearance.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Buick Skyhawk?
A period-style 1986 Buick Skyhawk tire choice starts with the correct original fitment pattern for the exact sub-model, then narrows to the available radial options in that size. On 13-inch cars, 175/80R13 and 195/70R13 choices include whitewall treatments that suit a traditional late-1980s passenger-car look.
For a restoration-minded car, sidewall presentation often matters nearly as much as size. A narrow whitewall usually gives a restrained factory-era feel, while a wider whitewall creates a more stylized look, so buyers focused on exact originality should compare the car against marque references or period photos before deciding.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1986 Buick Skyhawk?
On a restored 1986 Buick Skyhawk, construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are radial tires. That keeps the visual decision centered more on size, sidewall profile, and whitewall treatment than on choosing between bias-ply and radial construction.
Even within radial options, appearance can change noticeably. A taller 175/80R13 reads differently than a lower-profile 195/70R13, and a wide whitewall creates a stronger vintage-style statement than a narrow whitewall, so the final look depends on matching the tire's shape and sidewall style to the car's intended presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Buick Skyhawk?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1986 Buick Skyhawk. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, or body modifications can change the clearance relationship that the original 13-inch or 14-inch tire setup was built around.
A Skyhawk with non-original wheels should be checked for rim diameter, width, and clearance at full steering lock and through suspension travel before a tire is selected. That matters especially when moving between the car's 13-inch and 14-inch fitment patterns, since the original sub-model distinctions may no longer match the hardware now on the car.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Buick Skyhawk on new tires?
Before driving a 1986 Buick Skyhawk on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm proper inflation, and make sure the tires clear the fenders and suspension. It is also wise to check wheel hardware, valve stems, and overall tire seating after installation.
Older cars deserve a broader once-over before road use. Look for worn suspension parts, alignment issues, brake problems, and any signs that the previous tires rubbed or wore unevenly, because a new set can only perform as intended if the rest of the vehicle is mechanically ready for regular driving.
How often should tires on a 1986 Buick Skyhawk be inspected?
Tires on a 1986 Buick Skyhawk should be inspected regularly, especially if the car is driven infrequently or stored for long periods. Tread wear, pressure loss, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of flat-spotting all deserve attention on a collector-era compact that may not see daily use.
A quick visual check before each drive and a more careful inspection at routine service intervals is a sensible pattern. Cars that sit for extended periods can age tires without adding many miles, so storage conditions, sunlight exposure, and long-term pressure loss are just as important as tread depth.
