The 1986 Mitsubishi Galant sits in the middle of the front-wheel-drive import era, when family sedans were becoming more refined in road manners, wheel design, and trim-specific presentation. For buyers keeping one on the road today, tire selection is less about broad guesswork and more about matching the exact setup on the car. This Galant uses either 185/70R14 or 195/60R15 radial tires, depending on sub-model and wheel package. That creates meaningful choice not only in size, but also in blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles across several tire series. Confirming the car's specific sub-model and wheel diameter is the first step before comparing appearance, road use, and restoration goals.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Mitsubishi Galant
The 1986 Mitsubishi Galant uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel package. One setup uses a 14-inch rim and the other uses a 15-inch rim, so confirming the car's actual wheel diameter should come first. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to sidewall style, tire series, and the kind of look or driving use that suits the car.
185/70R14 is a metric radial size in which 185 identifies the section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1986 Mitsubishi Galant, this size belongs to 14-inch-wheel configurations and keeps the fitment in a modern radial format. Available choices include BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, with blackwall and wide whitewall presentations across series such as Silvertown Radial, CR6ZZ, Sport Classic, Michelin XAS, and Sprint Classic. It is the size to evaluate when the car retains the 14-inch wheel setup and the goal is balancing proper fitment with the desired period-style appearance.
Fit(s): Special Suspension and Special Suspension w/aluminum wheels
Construction: Radial|Rim: 15 in
195/60R15 is also a metric radial size, with 195 indicating section width in millimeters, 60 showing a lower profile than a 70-series tire, and 15 identifying the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1986 Mitsubishi Galant, this size applies to the 15-inch-wheel Special Suspension configurations. Product choices include BFGoodrich and Michelin, with blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter sidewall treatments available in series such as Silvertown Radial, Radial T/A, and Michelin Primacy 3. This size deserves a close look when the car has the factory-style 15-inch arrangement and the buyer wants to compare a sportier visual stance with traditional styling cues.
Tire fitment for the 1986 Mitsubishi Galant changes by sub-model and wheel package rather than staying uniform across the range. Identifying whether the car is a Base, Special Suspension, or aluminum-wheel configuration matters before selecting a tire size, since the Galant uses both 14-inch and 15-inch wheel setups.
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1986 Mitsubishi Galant Base
The 1986 Mitsubishi Galant Base uses the 185/70R14 radial size on a 14-inch wheel setup. That makes the next decision less about fitment variation and more about choosing among blackwall or wide whitewall styles and the tire series that best matches the car's intended look and use.
The 1986 Mitsubishi Galant Special Suspension uses the 195/60R15 radial size, which places it on the 15-inch fitment rather than the standard 14-inch setup. Tire selection here should focus on confirming the wheel arrangement first, then comparing sidewall style and tire series within the correct lower-profile size.
1986 Mitsubishi Galant Special Suspension w/aluminum wheels
The 1986 Mitsubishi Galant Special Suspension w/aluminum wheels also uses the 195/60R15 radial size. That keeps the fitment aligned with the 15-inch Special Suspension setup, so the main choice becomes whether the car calls for a blackwall, redline, wide whitewall, or raised white letter presentation.
The 1986 Mitsubishi Galant w/aluminum wheels uses the 185/70R14 radial size on the 14-inch configuration. Once that fitment is confirmed, the buyer can compare several brands and series for either a straightforward blackwall look or a more restoration-oriented whitewall presentation.
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 Mitsubishi Galant Tires for Sale
Available 1986 Mitsubishi Galant tires span both primary sizes and include BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein choices. Buyers can compare blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles across several radial series, with some variation in compatible rim-width ranges by tire.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 185/70R14
Common 1986 Mitsubishi Galant tire questions usually come down to identifying the correct size by sub-model, confirming 14-inch versus 15-inch wheels, and comparing radial tire styles, brands, and road-use considerations before installation.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Mitsubishi Galant?
A 1986 Mitsubishi Galant uses either 185/70R14 or 195/60R15 radial tires. The 185/70R14 size belongs to the Base model and the Galant with aluminum wheels, while 195/60R15 belongs to the Special Suspension model and the Special Suspension model with aluminum wheels.
The important step is matching the tire to the exact sub-model and wheel package on the car. Since these two sizes use different rim diameters, the choice is not interchangeable by default. Checking the actual wheel diameter on the vehicle before ordering helps avoid selecting a 14-inch tire for a 15-inch wheel, or the reverse.
What size rim does a 1986 Mitsubishi Galant use?
The 1986 Mitsubishi Galant uses either a 14-inch or 15-inch rim, depending on the sub-model. Galant configurations fitted with 185/70R14 tires use a 14-inch rim, while the Special Suspension configurations fitted with 195/60R15 tires use a 15-inch rim.
Rim diameter needs to be confirmed before anything else because the tire sizes are tied directly to different wheel sizes. After the diameter is settled, wheel width is worth checking as well, especially if the car has replacement wheels. That keeps the tire choice aligned with the wheel setup instead of relying only on the model name.
Do all 1986 Mitsubishi Galant sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 1986 Mitsubishi Galant does not use one tire size across every covered sub-model. Base and aluminum-wheel versions use 185/70R14, while Special Suspension and Special Suspension with aluminum wheels use 195/60R15.
That difference matters because the two sizes also use different rim diameters and slightly different tire proportions. Anyone replacing older tires on a recently purchased Galant should verify both the sub-model and the wheels actually on the car. A trim-specific fitment is more useful here than assuming every 1986 Galant shares the same tire setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1986 Mitsubishi Galant?
Start with the correct primary size for the car: 185/70R14 or 195/60R15, depending on sub-model and wheel package. From there, compare the tire's construction, sidewall style, brand, tire series, and any stated rim-width compatibility so the choice matches both the wheel and the kind of use the car will see.
Appearance can matter just as much as fitment on an older Galant. Some owners want a simple blackwall look, while others may prefer wide whitewall, redline, or raised white letter styling. It also helps to review load figures, tire weight, and wheel dimensions when available so the selection supports the car's presentation without overlooking practical compatibility.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Mitsubishi Galant tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1986 Mitsubishi Galant include blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles, depending on tire size and product line. The 185/70R14 size is offered in blackwall and wide whitewall, while 195/60R15 adds redline and raised white letter options to the mix.
That variety gives the Galant owner room to shape the car's appearance without changing the underlying fitment. A blackwall keeps the look straightforward, while whitewall, redline, or raised white letter treatments push the car toward a more distinctive period-style presentation. The key is making the style choice only after confirming the correct size and wheel diameter.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Mitsubishi Galant?
Tires for the 1986 Mitsubishi Galant are available from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Brand coverage varies by size, with the 185/70R14 fitment offering the broadest spread of choices and the 195/60R15 fitment centered around BFGoodrich and Michelin options.
Brand selection is only one part of the decision. The available lines also differ by sidewall treatment, tire series, and compatible rim-width range, so two tires in the same size may suit different goals. Looking at the full combination of size, visual style, and wheel compatibility will usually narrow the field faster than choosing by brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Mitsubishi Galant?
A period-style choice for a 1986 Mitsubishi Galant starts with the correct size for the sub-model, then moves to the tire's visual presentation. In 185/70R14, blackwall and wide whitewall options are available, while 195/60R15 adds blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles.
The right pick depends on how the car is being finished and which wheel setup it carries. A restoration-oriented owner may want a more traditional sidewall treatment, while a driver-focused car may call for a simpler blackwall look. If exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against period photos, marque references, and the car's individual equipment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1986 Mitsubishi Galant?
Tire construction is less of a visual dividing line on a 1986 Mitsubishi Galant than it is on older collector cars because both primary fitments for this model are radial. The stronger appearance differences here come from sidewall style and tire series rather than choosing between bias-ply and radial construction.
That means a restored Galant's look is shaped more by whether the car wears blackwalls, whitewalls, redlines, or raised white letters in the correct size. Keeping the proper wheel diameter and tire proportions in place usually matters most to the finished stance. Construction becomes a simpler question here because the factory-era fitment is already radial.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Mitsubishi Galant?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1986 Mitsubishi Galant even when the tire size itself is correct for the model. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered offset, suspension lowering, or body modifications can all change how a 185/70R14 or 195/60R15 tire sits in the wheel opening.
A Galant that no longer has its original wheel and suspension setup should be checked for clearance at full steering lock and through suspension travel. Wheel diameter still has to match the tire, but width and placement matter too. Verifying those details before installation is especially important when moving between stock-style and modified presentations.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Mitsubishi Galant on new tires?
Before driving a 1986 Mitsubishi Galant on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and general condition, then confirm the tires are seated properly and inflated to the intended pressure. It is also smart to check for obvious interference around the fenders, suspension, and steering components once the car is back on the ground.
A short road test should be used to catch vibration, rubbing, or unusual steering feel before taking the car on a longer drive. Older cars can also benefit from checking alignment, wheel hardware, and the condition of shocks or struts at the same time. New tires perform best when the rest of the chassis is ready for regular road use.
How should tires on a collector 1986 Mitsubishi Galant be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1986 Mitsubishi Galant should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and periodic movement of the car if it spends long stretches parked. Tread depth is only part of the picture on a low-use vehicle, since sidewall cracking, flat spotting, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss can develop with age.
Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on an older Galant. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. It also pays to inspect them before any longer outing rather than assuming they are road-ready simply because the tread still looks good.
