The 1986 Mercury Lynx came at the close of the Lynx nameplate’s run, representing the compact, front-wheel-drive character that defined many domestic small cars of the 1980s. For owners keeping one on the road today, tire choice is less about broad brand shopping and more about matching the exact sub-model and wheel setup. This model uses radial tires throughout, but fitment spans 165/80R13, 175/80R13, 195/60R15, and the millimetric 165/70R365 depending on version. That creates meaningful choices in sidewall style, tire series, and overall presentation on the correct size. Confirming the exact trim and wheel diameter is the first step before focusing on appearance, road manners, or restoration style.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Mercury Lynx
The 1986 Mercury Lynx uses four primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel setup. All of them are radial tires, but fitment spans both 13-inch and 15-inch rims, plus a millimetric 365-size application. Before choosing a tire, identify the exact Lynx trim and confirm the wheel diameter currently on the car, especially if it has been changed over the years.
165/80R13 is a metric radial size that uses a 165-millimeter nominal section width, an 80-series profile, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim. On the 1986 Mercury Lynx, it serves as one of the primary 13-inch fitments and suits buyers staying with the original-style compact-car tire dimensions used on certain trims. Available choices include BFGoodrich and Maxxis, with wide whitewall and narrow whitewall sidewall treatments in different tire series. It is a useful size when the car retains its 13-inch wheels and the goal is a proper radial fit with a traditional appearance option.
175/80R13 follows the same metric radial sizing convention, but with a wider 175-millimeter nominal section width on a 13-inch rim. For the 1986 Mercury Lynx, this size is another 13-inch fitment used on certain covered versions, so it should not be chosen by wheel diameter alone without confirming the exact application. Product choices include BFGoodrich and Maxxis, again with wide whitewall and narrow whitewall presentations. This size makes sense when the Lynx is set up for the slightly wider 13-inch fitment and the owner wants to compare appearance as well as basic radial specifications.
195/60R15 is a metric radial size with a 195-millimeter nominal width, a lower 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim. On the 1986 Mercury Lynx, this size belongs with the 15-inch applications, making wheel confirmation especially important before selection. It offers the broadest visible product variety here, including blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter sidewalls from BFGoodrich and Michelin across several tire series. This is the size to evaluate carefully when the car uses the sportier 15-inch setup and appearance matters as much as fitment.
165/70R365 is a metric radial size that uses a 165-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 365-millimeter rim designation rather than a conventional inch-based wheel size. On the 1986 Mercury Lynx, that makes it the most specialized fitment on the page and one that calls for especially careful wheel verification. Its millimetric format sets it apart from the 13-inch and 15-inch options used on other Lynx versions. This size should be approached as a distinct wheel-and-tire application rather than a casual substitute for the more familiar inch-based radial sizes.
Tire fitment on the 1986 Mercury Lynx varies by sub-model, so trim identification matters before choosing a replacement. Some versions share the same 13-inch radial sizes, while others move to a 15-inch setup or a distinct millimetric application.
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1986 Mercury Lynx Base
The 1986 Mercury Lynx Base uses one of two 13-inch radial sizes, making it important to confirm the wheel and existing fitment before replacing tires. Once the correct size is verified, the main choice becomes sidewall style and tire series rather than construction type.
The 1986 Mercury Lynx GS uses the 195/60R15 radial size, placing it with the 15-inch-wheel fitment group. Tire selection here centers on choosing among the available sidewall treatments and tire series while staying with the correct lower-profile radial size.
The 1986 Mercury Lynx L uses the 165/70R365 radial size, which is distinct from the inch-based sizes found on other Lynx trims. That makes wheel confirmation especially important before purchase, since this application is tied to a millimetric rim format rather than a 13-inch or 15-inch wheel.
The 1986 Mercury Lynx Wagon shares the same pair of 13-inch radial fitment possibilities used on some other Lynx versions. The key step is confirming which of those two sizes is on the wagon before comparing whitewall style, brand, and other product details.
The 1986 Mercury Lynx XR3 uses the 195/60R15 radial size, matching the 15-inch fitment used on another covered Lynx sub-model. That gives the owner a broader mix of sidewall styles and tire series to compare, but only after verifying the correct wheel setup remains in place.
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 Mercury Lynx Tires for Sale
Available 1986 Mercury Lynx tires vary by size, brand, tire series, and sidewall treatment. Depending on the fitment, choices include BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Michelin, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter options across several radial series.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 165/80R13
These FAQs focus on the exact tire sizes used on the 1986 Mercury Lynx, how fitment changes by sub-model, and how to compare radial tire choices by wheel size, sidewall style, and intended use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Mercury Lynx?
The 1986 Mercury Lynx uses four primary tire sizes across its covered sub-models: 165/80R13, 175/80R13, 195/60R15, and 165/70R365. All of them are radial tires, but they do not apply universally across every Lynx trim, so the correct choice depends on the exact version of the car and its wheel setup.
The most important step is confirming the sub-model and then matching the tire to the wheel diameter or millimetric rim format currently on the car. A 13-inch Lynx application should not be treated the same as a 15-inch or 365-millimeter application, especially if the car has changed wheels during its life.
What size rim does a 1986 Mercury Lynx use?
The 1986 Mercury Lynx uses more than one rim size depending on sub-model. Covered fitments include 13-inch rims with 165/80R13 or 175/80R13 tires, 15-inch rims with 195/60R15 tires, and a separate millimetric application paired with 165/70R365.
Checking the wheel itself matters before ordering tires, because the Lynx range does not rely on one universal rim diameter. Measuring the wheel or reading the existing tire and wheel markings is the safest way to avoid confusing a standard inch-based setup with the 365-format application used on the Lynx L.
Do all 1986 Mercury Lynx sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1986 Mercury Lynx has size variation across its sub-models. Base and Wagon applications use one of two 13-inch radial sizes, the GS and XR3 use 195/60R15, and the Lynx L uses the distinct 165/70R365 millimetric radial size.
That variation means trim identification is the first fitment decision, not brand or sidewall style. Once the exact sub-model and wheel setup are confirmed, the remaining comparison becomes much simpler because you can narrow the search to the correct size and then compare tire series, appearance, and other specifications within that fitment.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1986 Mercury Lynx tire?
Start with the exact tire size for the specific 1986 Mercury Lynx sub-model and wheel diameter. After that, compare whether the available tires match the look and use of the car, including construction, sidewall style, tire series, and any rim-width or load details that apply to the size you are considering.
A Lynx kept in period-style condition may point toward a whitewall treatment, while a 195/60R15 application opens the door to blackwall, redline, or raised white letter options. Matching the tire to the car’s current wheels and intended use is more important than choosing by appearance alone, especially on older vehicles that may have seen wheel changes.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Mercury Lynx tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1986 Mercury Lynx include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, raised white letter, and blackwall depending on the tire size. The 13-inch sizes center on whitewall options, while 195/60R15 brings the widest mix of visual treatments for the 15-inch applications.
That makes sidewall style a real part of the buying decision once the correct size is confirmed. A whitewall can support a more traditional 1980s compact-car presentation, while blackwall, redline, or raised white letter can change the visual character of a 15-inch Lynx without changing the basic radial construction or the underlying size requirement.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Mercury Lynx?
Tire choices for the 1986 Mercury Lynx include BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Michelin, depending on size. The 13-inch applications are represented by BFGoodrich and Maxxis, while the 195/60R15 fitment includes BFGoodrich and Michelin across several different radial series and sidewall presentations.
Brand comparison should still come after size confirmation, because not every brand appears in every Lynx fitment. Once the correct size is established, it becomes easier to compare the character of each offering by sidewall styling, tire series, rim-width specification, and the overall look you want the finished car to carry on the road.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Mercury Lynx?
A period-style 1986 Mercury Lynx starts with using the correct size for the specific sub-model and wheel setup, whether that is a 13-inch radial, a 15-inch 195/60R15, or the 165/70R365 millimetric application. Once size is settled, the visual character of the tire becomes the next meaningful choice.
Whitewall options suit a more traditional presentation, while blackwall, redline, or raised white letter can create a different 1980s look on the 15-inch fitment. Buyers pursuing strict originality should compare any chosen sidewall treatment against marque references or vehicle-specific historical material rather than assuming every available style was used the same way when new.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1986 Mercury Lynx?
On the 1986 Mercury Lynx, the primary fitments are radial tires throughout, so the appearance question is less about bias-ply versus radial and more about profile, wheel size, and sidewall treatment. A 13-inch whitewall radial presents differently from a 15-inch blackwall, redline, or raised white letter tire even within the same model range.
That means restoration appearance depends heavily on matching the correct trim-level fitment before choosing visual details. A Lynx restored around its original wheel style will usually look more cohesive when the tire size and sidewall treatment support that setup, rather than mixing a visually aggressive tire style with a wheel and trim combination it does not suit.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Mercury Lynx?
Yes. Wheel changes, suspension alterations, lowering, and even small offset differences can affect tire fitment on a 1986 Mercury Lynx. That matters even more on a model that spans 13-inch, 15-inch, and millimetric wheel applications, because the car may no longer match its original sub-model tire setup after years of ownership changes.
A modified Lynx should be checked for actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fenders and steering components before ordering tires. The safest approach is to treat the car as it sits today, not simply as its trim name suggests, especially when moving between the 13-inch and 15-inch fitment groups.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Mercury Lynx on new tires?
Before driving a 1986 Mercury Lynx on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the wheel, and check that the tires are inflated properly for the application. It is also smart to look over the suspension, steering, and brake components so the new tires are not being asked to work around worn mechanical parts.
A quick road-use check should also include tread-to-body clearance, lock-to-lock steering clearance, and a look for rubbing points if the car has non-original wheels. On an older compact car, fresh tires often reveal alignment or suspension issues that were less obvious on worn rubber, so an early inspection pays off.
How should tires on a collector 1986 Mercury Lynx be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1986 Mercury Lynx should be kept at proper pressure, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven wear, and monitored for slow air loss. Because many surviving Lynx models see limited mileage, age and storage condition can matter just as much as tread depth when judging whether a tire is still roadworthy.
Storage habits also make a difference. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber, while occasional movement can reduce flat-spotting on low-use vehicles. A longer drive is a good time to recheck pressure and visually inspect each tire again before heading out.
