The 1986 Ford Tempo came from an era when domestic front-wheel-drive sedans were built around everyday usability, tidy packaging, and efficient road manners rather than oversized wheel-and-tire combinations. For owners keeping one on the road today, tire choice still plays a big role in preserving that balanced character. The 1986 Ford Tempo uses a 185/70R14 radial tire, shared across the covered sub-models and built for a 14-inch rim. Available choices range from blackwall touring and sport-oriented classics to a wide whitewall Silvertown Radial for a more restoration-minded look. The key decision is less about size and more about appearance, intended use, and wheel compatibility.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Ford Tempo
The 1986 Ford Tempo uses one primary tire size: 185/70R14, and it is a radial fitment for a 14-inch rim. That sizing stays consistent across Base, GL, GLX, and LX models, so the real choice is not between different primary sizes but between available tire styles, brands, and period-appropriate radial options within that same fitment.
A 185/70R14 is a metric radial size in which 185 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1986 Ford Tempo, this is the primary fitment and it suits the car's original front-wheel-drive, mid-1980s passenger-car character. Available choices include blackwall tires from Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, along with a BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial in a 2.25-inch whitewall. This size works best when the goal is to stay with the proper overall fitment while choosing the appearance and product character that match the car.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1986 Ford Tempo sub-models because each one uses the same 185/70R14 radial size. Checking the sub-model still helps confirm that the car has not been changed from its original wheel setup before selecting a tire.
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1986 Ford Tempo Base
The 1986 Ford Tempo Base uses the same 185/70R14 radial tire as the other covered trims. That keeps size selection simple and shifts the focus toward blackwall versus whitewall appearance, brand preference, and making sure the wheel remains a correct 14-inch application.
The 1986 Ford Tempo GL shares the 185/70R14 radial fitment used across this model line. Tire selection comes down to the type of look and driving use desired, along with checking wheel width compatibility before choosing among the available radial products.
The 1986 Ford Tempo GLX also uses 185/70R14 radial tires on a 14-inch rim. That allows a straightforward replacement path, with the main decision being whether to keep a simple blackwall presentation or choose a more distinctive period-style whitewall option.
The 1986 Ford Tempo LX carries the same 185/70R14 radial sizing as the other Tempo sub-models covered here. Owners can concentrate on product differences such as sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width suitability rather than sorting through multiple primary fitment sizes.
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 Ford Tempo Tires for Sale
Available 185/70R14 choices for the 1986 Ford Tempo include BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein radials. The main comparisons are blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, tire series character, and compatible rim-width ranges across the different products.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 185/70R14
These 1986 Ford Tempo tire FAQs focus on the 185/70R14 fitment, 14-inch rim compatibility, sub-model consistency, sidewall and brand choices, and the inspection steps worth taking before putting a collector-era daily driver back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Ford Tempo?
The 1986 Ford Tempo uses a 185/70R14 radial tire. That primary fitment applies across the covered Base, GL, GLX, and LX sub-models, so the size itself is consistent throughout the lineup represented here.
Size confirmation is still worth doing at the car, especially if it has replacement wheels or has been modified over the years. Check that the wheel is a 14-inch application and compare the tire's fit to the current wheel width and vehicle clearance before selecting among the available 185/70R14 options.
What size rim does a 1986 Ford Tempo use?
The 1986 Ford Tempo uses a 14-inch rim with its 185/70R14 tire size. The tire size itself confirms the wheel diameter, and the available products in this fitment are built around that same 14-inch rim specification.
Rim diameter is only part of the picture, because wheel width also affects proper tire choice. Several 185/70R14 products have different approved rim-width ranges, so it helps to measure the wheel already on the car and compare it to the tire's stated compatibility before mounting a replacement.
Do all 1986 Ford Tempo sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1986 Ford Tempo Base, GL, GLX, and LX models all use the same 185/70R14 radial tire size. That makes primary fitment simpler than on cars that vary by trim level or wheel package.
Even with shared sizing, the exact tire choice can still differ based on how the car is being kept or driven. A blackwall radial may suit a more understated driver, while a wide whitewall option changes the presentation, and any car with aftermarket wheels should have its actual wheel dimensions checked first.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 185/70R14 tire for a 1986 Ford Tempo?
Start with the correct size and construction: 185/70R14 radial on a 14-inch rim. From there, compare the tire's intended character, sidewall appearance, and wheel-width compatibility, since the available options range from traditional blackwall radials to a wide whitewall Silvertown Radial.
The best choice depends on whether the Tempo is being kept as a clean survivor, a restoration-minded car, or a regular road car. It also helps to compare product details such as rim-width range, load figures where stated, and the overall look you want before settling on one tire within the proper size.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Ford Tempo tires?
Two main sidewall styles are available in 185/70R14 for the 1986 Ford Tempo: blackwall and wide whitewall. Blackwall options appear across several radial tire lines, while the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial offers a 2.25-inch whitewall for a more distinctive vintage presentation.
That choice is mostly about appearance rather than basic fitment, since both styles stay within the correct primary size. A blackwall generally keeps the car closer to a plain everyday 1980s look, while a whitewall adds visual emphasis, so the decision should match the way the Tempo is being restored, displayed, or driven.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Ford Tempo?
185/70R14 tires for the 1986 Ford Tempo are available from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Those brands cover several radial series, including Silvertown Radial, CR6ZZ, Sport Classic, Michelin XAS, and Sprint Classic.
Brand choice should be considered alongside sidewall style, wheel-width compatibility, and the kind of road use the car will see. Rather than treating brand alone as the deciding factor, compare how each tire presents visually and whether its specifications line up with the wheel and overall setup on the Tempo.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Ford Tempo?
A period-style 1986 Ford Tempo should begin with the correct 185/70R14 radial size. From there, the choice depends on the look being pursued, with blackwall options preserving a restrained everyday presentation and the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial offering a more stylized wide whitewall appearance.
Construction is straightforward here because the primary fitment is already radial, so appearance becomes the bigger restoration decision. For owners chasing exact historical presentation, the safest approach is to confirm what best suits the individual car through period photos, sales literature, or marque-specific references before settling on a sidewall style.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1986 Ford Tempo restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because tire size strongly affects how a restored 1986 Ford Tempo sits, looks, and presents overall. Staying with the proper 185/70R14 radial size helps preserve the car's intended proportions while avoiding the visual imbalance that can come from oversize or undersize replacements.
Appearance is only one reason to stay disciplined about fitment. Correct sizing also makes it easier to maintain wheel compatibility and predictable clearance, which becomes especially important on a car that may have seen wheel changes over time, so checking the actual wheel dimensions is a smart step before final tire selection.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Ford Tempo?
Yes. A 1986 Ford Tempo may originally use 185/70R14 tires, but wheel swaps, suspension changes, lowering, or body alterations can change what fits the car in practice. Even when the tire size remains the same, a different wheel width or offset can alter clearance.
That is why the current setup should be checked before mounting new tires, especially on an older car with an unknown history. Measure the wheel, confirm the 14-inch diameter, and look at steering and fender clearance at full lock so the replacement tire matches both the stated fitment and the actual vehicle.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Ford Tempo on new tires?
Before driving a 1986 Ford Tempo on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the wheel dimensions, and make sure the tires are mounted in the correct 185/70R14 size. It also helps to check valve stems, lug hardware, alignment condition, and basic suspension wear.
A tire can only perform as intended if the rest of the setup is sound. After installation, verify pressure, look for any rubbing during turns, and recheck for air loss or uneven wear in the first miles, particularly on a collector-era car that may have spent long periods parked.
How should 185/70R14 tires on a collector 1986 Ford Tempo be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 185/70R14 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and clean storage conditions. Watch for sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, flat spotting, unusual wear, and slow air loss, since older low-mileage cars often age their tires through time and storage as much as use.
Consistent maintenance matters even when the Tempo is driven only occasionally. Keeping the car away from prolonged sun, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and periodic inspection of tread condition and overall age is wise before longer drives or seasonal return-to-road use.
