The 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage came from an era when compact imports were balancing economy, light weight, and increasingly sophisticated road manners. That makes tire choice on this exact Mirage especially important, because fitment changes across the Base, L, and Turbo models and even spans both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel setups. This Mirage uses radial tire fitments, with 155R13, 145/80R13, and 185/60R14 tied to specific sub-models. Available choices include blackwall radial options from Michelin and Dunlop, with different tire series depending on size. The key is matching the tire to the exact sub-model and wheel diameter before comparing appearance, construction details, and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage
Three tire sizes apply to the 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model. The Base, L, and Turbo do not share the same fitment, and wheel diameter changes between 13-inch and 14-inch applications. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether the car is a Base, L, or Turbo and verify the wheel diameter currently on the vehicle, especially if wheels have ever been changed.
A 155R13 size uses a 155-millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. In this format, the aspect ratio is not stated in the size itself, though this style is commonly associated with a taller traditional radial profile. For the 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage, this size is used on the Base model and is available in blackwall form from Michelin and Dunlop, including Michelin XAS-FF and SP Sport Aquajet series options. It is the right choice when the car retains the Base-model wheel setup and the goal is to stay with the proper 13-inch radial fitment.
A 145/80R13 size identifies a 145-millimeter section width, an 80-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. Compared with older size formats, this one is more straightforward for modern buyers because each part of the code describes width, profile, construction, and wheel size directly. On the 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage, this fitment belongs to the L sub-model and keeps the selection centered on the correct 13-inch wheel diameter. It should be chosen only after confirming the car is an L and still uses the matching wheel and suspension setup.
A 185/60R14 size means a 185-millimeter section width, a 60-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. This is a lower-profile metric radial format than the Mirage's 13-inch applications, and it belongs to the Turbo sub-model. Michelin offers this size in a blackwall Pilot Exalto PE2 series, giving the Turbo owner a clear size-specific option within the correct 14-inch fitment. It is the size to evaluate when the car is a Turbo and still carries the proper wheel diameter, since the larger rim separates it from the other Mirage configurations.
Tire fitment varies across the 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage lineup, so sub-model identification matters before anything else. Base, L, and Turbo versions do not share the same tire size, and the Turbo also moves to a different wheel diameter.
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1986 Mitsubishi Mirage Base
The 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage Base uses a 155R13 radial tire on a 13-inch wheel setup. That makes the decision less about multiple primary sizes and more about selecting the right blackwall radial option for the car's existing wheels and intended driving use.
The 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage L uses a 145/80R13 radial fitment, keeping it on a 13-inch wheel but with a different size than the Base model. Tire selection starts with confirming the car is truly an L, then checking that the wheels have not been changed from the original diameter.
The 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo uses a 185/60R14 radial tire, making it the Mirage sub-model here with the 14-inch fitment. That means wheel diameter becomes a critical check before comparing available product choices or replacing an older set of tires.
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 Mirage Tires for Sale
Available 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage tire choices center on radial blackwall designs from Michelin and Dunlop. Depending on size, the product grid may include Michelin XAS-FF, SP Sport Aquajet, or Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 options, with useful differences in tire series, rim-width compatibility, and other specifications.
These 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage tire FAQs focus on the details that matter most on this page: exact sub-model sizing, 13-inch versus 14-inch wheel fitment, radial tire selection, product differences, and the checks worth making before putting the car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage?
The 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage uses three different tire sizes depending on sub-model: 155R13 for the Base, 145/80R13 for the L, and 185/60R14 for the Turbo. All three are radial tire fitments, but they are not interchangeable across the lineup simply because they belong to the same year and model family.
The first step is identifying the exact sub-model and confirming the wheel diameter currently on the car. A Mirage that has had wheel changes over the years may no longer match its original setup, so checking the existing wheels before selecting a replacement tire helps avoid ordering the right size for the wrong configuration.
What size rim does a 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage use?
A 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The Base and L models use 13-inch tire fitments, while the Turbo uses a 14-inch tire fitment. That rim-diameter split is one of the most important differences in Mirage tire selection for this year.
Wheel diameter should be verified directly on the vehicle before choosing tires, especially on older compact imports that may have seen wheel swaps. Even if the car is believed to be a Base, L, or Turbo, measuring the existing wheel and confirming the actual tire size already mounted gives a more reliable starting point for replacement.
Do all 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage sub-models do not all use the same tire size. The Base uses 155R13, the L uses 145/80R13, and the Turbo uses 185/60R14. That means tire fitment changes not only by size code, but also by wheel diameter between the standard models and the Turbo.
This matters because a buyer cannot assume that any 1986 Mirage tire will suit every version of the car. Once the sub-model is confirmed, the next checks are wheel diameter and the overall condition of the current setup, particularly if the car has been modified, restored, or fitted with non-original wheels at some point.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage?
Start with the correct sub-model fitment, because the 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage uses different tire sizes for the Base, L, and Turbo. After size is confirmed, compare the available tire series, construction details, sidewall style, and wheel-compatibility specifications that apply to that exact size rather than shopping the Mirage range as a whole.
A Base owner choosing 155R13, for example, may be deciding between Michelin and Dunlop blackwall radial options, while a Turbo owner is focused on the 185/60R14 setup. Matching the tire to the car's actual wheel diameter, intended driving use, and overall appearance goal usually leads to a better choice than chasing a name alone.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage?
Michelin and Dunlop offer applicable tires for the 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage. Michelin appears in both 155R13 and 185/60R14 fitments, while Dunlop appears in the 155R13 fitment. The available products are radial blackwall tires, but the brand choices vary by size rather than applying across every Mirage sub-model equally.
That means the brand decision comes after the fitment decision, not before it. A Mirage Base owner has different brand options than a Turbo owner, so it is more useful to confirm the tire size first and then compare the series, rim-width suitability, and general character of the available products within that size.
What tire series are available for the 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage?
Available tire series for the 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage include Michelin XAS-FF, Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, and Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2, depending on tire size. Those series are tied to specific fitments, so they should be compared within the correct Mirage sub-model application rather than treated as universal choices for the entire 1986 lineup.
Series differences can matter to buyers who want a certain look or a certain style of radial tire presentation. Once the proper size is confirmed, comparing the series available in that fitment helps narrow the search more effectively than comparing tires meant for different wheel diameters or different Mirage configurations.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage?
A period-style 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage starts with the correct size for the exact sub-model: 155R13 for the Base, 145/80R13 for the L, or 185/60R14 for the Turbo. Because all of these are radial fitments, the appearance decision is less about bias-ply versus radial and more about preserving the right proportions and wheel diameter.
For a restoration-oriented car, it helps to compare the available series within the proper size and avoid changing rim diameter unless the goal is a deliberate modified look. Buyers who want a more historically accurate presentation should also cross-check original vehicle literature or marque-specific references before treating any one available tire as exact showroom appearance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage?
On the 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage, primary fitments are radial, so staying with the proper radial size supports the car's correct visual balance more naturally than forcing an unrelated vintage-style construction. The visible appearance difference is more likely to come from the exact size, sidewall shape, and wheel diameter than from a bias-ply-versus-radial decision.
A restored Mirage can look noticeably off if the replacement tire is too short, too wide, or mounted on the wrong rim diameter for the sub-model. Keeping the Base, L, or Turbo on its intended size family is usually the best starting point before comparing tread era, tire series character, and the overall stance of the finished car.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage, especially because this model already spans different factory wheel diameters by sub-model. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, or body modifications can change the clearance and wheel requirements enough that the original size reference should not be treated as the only check.
A Mirage with changed wheels may still carry one of the original size codes, but wheel width, offset, and tire-to-fender clearance can shift the fitment picture. Confirming actual wheel diameter and inspecting clearance at full steering lock is a smart step before installing replacement tires on any modified or long-owned example.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage on new tires?
Before driving a 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the exact sub-model, and make sure the new tires seat properly on the rims. It also helps to check valve stems, verify inflation pressure, and look over the suspension and steering for looseness that could affect how the car feels on the road.
Older compact cars can hide issues that new tires will not solve, such as worn bushings, alignment problems, or rubbing caused by wheel changes. A short test drive followed by a second inspection for clearance, air retention, and any uneven contact marks is a sensible way to catch problems early.
How should tires on a collector 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and periodic movement of the car if it spends long stretches parked. Even when tread looks good, low-use tires deserve close attention for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and slow air loss before the car is driven at normal road speeds.
Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on an older Mirage. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, while checking age and condition before each driving season reduces the risk of relying on rubber that looks usable but has deteriorated over time.
