The 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier sits firmly in the front-wheel-drive compact era, when practical daily transportation started to take on more distinct trim personalities and sportier visual packages. That matters on a tire page because this model year does not revolve around one universal fitment. The 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier uses three primary radial tire sizes: 175/80R13, 195/70R13, and 215/60R14, depending on sub-model and wheel setup. Available choices range from traditional whitewall presentations on the 13-inch sizes to raised white letter styling on the Z24’s 14-inch fitment. The key is matching the tire to the exact Cavalier trim, wheel diameter, and the look you want to preserve.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier
Three tire sizes apply to the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier, and the correct choice depends on the specific sub-model and wheel diameter. Most trims use 13-inch radial fitments in either 175/80R13 or 195/70R13, while the Z24 steps up to a 14-inch radial in 215/60R14. Before choosing a tire, confirm the exact Cavalier trim and verify whether the car is riding on 13-inch or 14-inch wheels.
In 175/80R13, the 175 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, the 80 is the aspect ratio, the R indicates radial construction, and the 13 is the rim diameter in inches. This is one of the 13-inch radial fitments used on several 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier sub-models, making it a practical choice for owners keeping a stock-style wheel setup. Available options include Maxxis and BFGoodrich, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall presentations in different tire series. It suits buyers who want a traditional period-style appearance on a 13-inch Cavalier fitment.
A 195/70R13 tire uses a 195-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. On the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier, this size appears across several trims and is also the sole fitment for the RS Convertible, so it is an important size to confirm before purchase. BFGoodrich offers this size in the Silvertown Radial series with a narrow whitewall sidewall style. It is a useful fitment for owners who need a 13-inch radial with a slightly wider, lower-profile look than 175/80R13.
The 215/60R14 format denotes a 215-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 14-inch wheel. This size is associated with the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24, so it serves a different role than the 13-inch tire sizes used on other trims. The available BFGoodrich Radial T/A carries raised white letter styling, giving this fitment a more performance-oriented visual character than the whitewall 13-inch choices. It is the size to evaluate when the goal is preserving the Z24’s distinct 14-inch stance and appearance.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier because tire size is not the same across the full range. Most trims stay within the 13-inch sizes, while the Z24 uses a separate 14-inch fitment, so confirming the exact trim is the first step before comparing tires.
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1986 Chevrolet Cavalier Base
The 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier Base uses 13-inch radial fitments and may be found with either of the two primary 13-inch sizes. Tire selection starts with confirming which wheel and tire combination is actually on the car, then choosing the sidewall style and tire series that best suits its intended look.
The 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier CL also stays within the 13-inch radial tire group rather than the Z24’s 14-inch setup. That means wheel-diameter confirmation is still important, especially on cars that may have changed wheels over time or moved between the two 13-inch fitment sizes.
The 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier CS uses one of the two 13-inch radial tire sizes associated with this model year. Owners should verify the current wheel and tire combination on the car before selecting between available whitewall-style options in the correct size.
The 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier RS falls into the 13-inch radial fitment group shared by several trims. Choosing the right tire comes down to confirming the exact mounted size first, then deciding whether a narrower or wider period-style whitewall presentation better fits the car’s character.
The 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier RS Convertible uses 195/70R13, giving it a more specific tire fitment than the other 13-inch trims with two possible sizes. That makes selection more straightforward, with the main decision shifting toward the available tire series and whitewall appearance rather than size choice.
The 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 uses 215/60R14 radial tires on a 14-inch wheel, separating it clearly from the rest of the Cavalier range. Tire choice here centers on maintaining the correct size and 14-inch wheel fitment, along with the raised white letter presentation available in this application.
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 Chevrolet Cavalier Tires for Sale
Available 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier tire choices center on radial construction, with BFGoodrich appearing across all three sizes and Maxxis also offered in 175/80R13. Buyers can compare whitewall styles on the 13-inch fitments and raised white letter styling in the 215/60R14 Z24 size.
Common 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier tire questions usually come down to exact size by trim, 13-inch versus 14-inch wheel fitment, available sidewall styles, and what to inspect before putting a restored or low-use car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier?
A 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier uses one of three radial tire sizes: 175/80R13, 195/70R13, or 215/60R14. The 13-inch sizes apply across most Cavalier trims, while 215/60R14 is tied to the Z24, making trim level and wheel diameter the two most important fitment details.
The practical step is to check the exact sub-model and confirm the wheel diameter actually on the car before choosing a replacement tire. Many surviving Cavaliers have changed hands, and some may have been fitted with different wheels over time, so the correct tire starts with the car’s present wheel and trim combination.
What size rim does a 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier use?
The 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the tire size and sub-model. Both 175/80R13 and 195/70R13 are 13-inch fitments, while 215/60R14 uses a 14-inch rim and is associated with the Z24.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed before looking at sidewall style, brand, or tire series. A 13-inch tire and a 14-inch tire are not interchangeable, even if their overall proportions appear similar, so checking the wheel itself is especially important on cars with aftermarket wheels or long ownership histories.
Do all 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier range uses more than one tire size, and not every sub-model shares the same fitment. Base, CL, CS, and RS models can use 175/80R13 or 195/70R13, the RS Convertible uses 195/70R13, and the Z24 uses 215/60R14.
That variation means the exact trim matters before comparing products. It also means a tire chosen for one Cavalier may not be right for another, even within the same model year, so using the sub-model name and checking the current wheel diameter is the safest way to narrow the search.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier tire?
Start with the correct size for the exact trim and wheel diameter, because the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier spans both 13-inch and 14-inch fitments. From there, compare construction, sidewall style, tire series, rim-width compatibility, and whether the car is being kept close to a stock-looking presentation or given a sportier look.
A 13-inch Cavalier may lead you toward whitewall-style radial options, while the Z24’s 215/60R14 fitment points toward a raised white letter presentation. Cars that have been modified or fitted with replacement wheels should also be checked for wheel width and clearance before settling on a specific tire.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size. The 13-inch Cavalier sizes are available with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall presentations, while the 215/60R14 size used on the Z24 is available with RWL, or raised white letter, styling.
That gives the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier a noticeably different visual character depending on trim and tire choice. Whitewalls tend to support a more traditional compact-car appearance, while raised white letters give the Z24 fitment a sportier period look, so sidewall selection should match both the correct size and the car’s intended presentation.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier?
BFGoodrich appears across all three 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier sizes, and Maxxis is also available in 175/80R13. The current mix includes BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial options in the 13-inch sizes and a BFGoodrich Radial T/A in the 215/60R14 Z24 fitment.
Brand alone should not drive the decision. The better approach is to first match the exact size and rim diameter, then compare the sidewall treatment, tire series, and wheel-width suitability that align with the way the Cavalier is equipped and the look you want to maintain.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier?
A period-style 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier tire choice starts with the correct original-type size for the exact trim, then moves to appearance. On most 13-inch applications, that often means choosing between 175/80R13 and 195/70R13 in a whitewall-style radial, while the Z24’s 215/60R14 fitment supports a more overtly sporty raised white letter look.
The best visual result usually comes from matching the tire’s sidewall treatment to the character of the specific sub-model rather than treating every Cavalier the same. Owners pursuing exact restoration details should also compare the car against period photos, window sticker history, or marque-specific references before finalizing the appearance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier?
On the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier, the primary fitments are radial tires, so construction choice is less about bias-ply versus radial and more about how the radial is presented. Whitewall widths and raised white letter styling make the biggest visible difference across the available sizes.
That means appearance decisions should focus on choosing the right sidewall style for the sub-model and wheel package. A narrow or wide whitewall can give a 13-inch Cavalier a softer, more traditional look, while raised white letters on the Z24 reinforce the sport-compact image associated with that trim.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Yes. Any 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier with aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, or body alterations should be checked carefully before a tire is chosen. Because this model year already spans both 13-inch and 14-inch fitments, even a small change in wheel setup can shift the correct tire size and usable rim-width range.
The important checks include wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fender, suspension, and steering stops. A Cavalier that has been lowered or fitted with non-original wheels may need more verification than a stock car, even when the tire size appears close to one of the factory-era fitments.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier on new tires?
Before putting a 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier back into regular use, inspect the wheels for condition, confirm lug hardware is correct, and make sure the chosen tire size matches the trim and wheel diameter. The alignment, suspension wear points, and brake condition should also be checked so the new tires are not compromised immediately.
Tire condition still deserves a close look even when the tires are new, especially on a collector or low-use car that may have been sitting. Proper inflation, secure valve stems, and enough clearance through the full steering range help prevent early problems and make the first road test far more useful.
How should 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier tires be maintained?
Tires on a 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and periodic rotation when appropriate for the tire setup. Sidewall cracking, tread damage, uneven wear, and persistent air loss deserve attention quickly, especially on cars that spend long periods parked between drives.
Storage conditions matter more than many owners expect. A Cavalier kept away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources gives its tires a better chance of aging evenly, and occasional inspection during storage helps catch problems before the car returns to road use.
