The 1986 Plymouth Horizon came from the last stretch of Chrysler’s long-running front-wheel-drive compact line, a practical hatchback that balanced economy-minded transportation with distinctly 1980s American small-car character. For many surviving examples, tire choice is less about chasing multiple fitments and more about getting the size, look, and road manners right for the car actually sitting in the garage. The 1986 Plymouth Horizon uses a 165/80R13 radial on a 13-inch rim. Available choices include whitewall radial options with either a wider or narrower sidewall treatment. That makes this page most useful for owners comparing appearance, verifying wheel compatibility, and selecting a tire that suits preservation as well as regular road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Plymouth Horizon
The 1986 Plymouth Horizon uses one primary tire size: 165/80R13, a radial tire for a 13-inch rim. That fitment is shared across the Base and SE sub-models, so the main decision is not which size fits, but which version of that size best matches the car’s appearance, wheel setup, and intended use.
A 165/80R13 size reads as a metric radial with a 165-millimeter nominal section width, an 80-series profile, and fitment for a 13-inch wheel. For the 1986 Plymouth Horizon, it is the primary radial size and keeps the car in the sizing format expected of a mid-1980s compact. Available options include BFGoodrich and Maxxis tires, with wide whitewall and narrow whitewall sidewall treatments and distinct tire series. That gives Horizon owners a practical way to stay with the correct size while choosing a more traditional or more understated visual presentation.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1986 Plymouth Horizon sub-models. Both the Base and SE use the same primary tire size, so the key step is confirming that the car still has its correct 13-inch wheel setup before comparing tire style and brand choices.
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1986 Plymouth Horizon Base
The 1986 Plymouth Horizon Base uses the same 165/80R13 radial fitment as the rest of the covered lineup. That keeps tire selection focused on wheel compatibility, whitewall preference, and whether the car is being preserved with a more traditional appearance or prepared for regular road use.
The 1986 Plymouth Horizon SE also uses the 165/80R13 radial tire size. For this sub-model, the real choice is among the available tire series and sidewall styles while making sure the car still carries the proper 13-inch wheels and an unaltered fitment setup.
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 Plymouth Horizon Tires for Sale
Available 165/80R13 tires for the 1986 Plymouth Horizon come from BFGoodrich and Maxxis, with radial construction throughout and whitewall styling as the main visual difference. The product grid is most useful for comparing tire series, sidewall treatment, and shared 13-inch rim compatibility.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 165/80R13
Owners of a 1986 Plymouth Horizon usually need clear answers about the 165/80R13 tire size, 13-inch wheel fitment, whitewall choices, and what to inspect before putting a lightly used compact back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Plymouth Horizon?
The 1986 Plymouth Horizon uses a 165/80R13 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for this model year and applies across the covered Horizon sub-models, including the Base and SE.
Using the right size matters because a Horizon with replacement wheels or long-ago modifications may no longer have its original 13-inch setup. Before choosing a tire, confirm the wheel diameter on the car and make sure the wheel width falls within the tire’s usable range so the new tire matches the vehicle’s actual fitment.
What size rim does a 1986 Plymouth Horizon use?
The 1986 Plymouth Horizon uses a 13-inch rim with its 165/80R13 tire size. Available tires in this fitment are built for that rim diameter and use a rim-width range of 4.50 to 6.00 inches.
Rim diameter is the first thing to verify because a 13-inch tire cannot be mounted on a different wheel diameter. On an older compact like the Horizon, it is also worth checking whether aftermarket wheels were installed at some point, since wheel swaps can change both width and overall tire-selection requirements.
Do all 1986 Plymouth Horizon sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1986 Plymouth Horizon sub-models use the same 165/80R13 radial tire size. That includes both the Base and SE, so there is no split in primary tire size between those versions.
That consistency makes selection easier because the decision shifts from identifying different fitments to choosing the right tire within one fitment. Owners can focus on wheel condition, sidewall appearance, and whether the car is being kept as a preservation-minded survivor or driven regularly as a usable vintage compact.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165/80R13 tire for a 1986 Plymouth Horizon?
Start with the correct fitment: 165/80R13 radial on a 13-inch wheel. From there, compare details that actually change the tire choice, including sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility within the stated 4.50 to 6.00 inch range.
The right selection depends on how the Horizon is used and how you want it to look. A preservation-oriented car may lean toward a more traditional whitewall presentation, while a regularly driven example may simply need the correct size and a clean visual match. Checking wheel dimensions first keeps the comparison focused and avoids choosing by appearance alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Plymouth Horizon tires?
The available 165/80R13 tires for the 1986 Plymouth Horizon include whitewall options in two different presentations: a wide whitewall and a narrow whitewall. Both are radial tires in the correct size, but they give the car a noticeably different visual character.
A wide whitewall creates a stronger vintage look, while a narrow whitewall keeps the appearance more restrained. Since both styles share the same basic fitment, the decision comes down to how closely the tire’s look matches the car’s finish, trim, and restoration goals rather than any difference in primary size.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Plymouth Horizon?
The available 165/80R13 tires for the 1986 Plymouth Horizon come from BFGoodrich and Maxxis. Those options also represent different tire series, including Silvertown Radial and Classic Whitewall MA-1, while staying within the same primary size and radial construction.
Brand choice is best treated as part of a broader comparison rather than the whole decision. Once the correct size is confirmed, compare each tire’s sidewall style, wheel-width specification, and overall appearance so the selected tire suits the Horizon’s intended role, whether that is casual weekend use or a more restoration-minded presentation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Plymouth Horizon?
A period-style starting point for a 1986 Plymouth Horizon is the correct 165/80R13 radial size on a 13-inch wheel. Within that size, the most visible appearance choice is sidewall treatment, with available options including both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall styles.
The better match depends on the look you want from the finished car. Some owners prefer a more noticeable whitewall for an era-flavored presentation, while others want a subtler style that still feels appropriate to a mid-1980s compact. When exact originality matters, period photography and marque-specific reference material are worth checking before deciding.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1986 Plymouth Horizon restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because tire size has a strong effect on both appearance and stance. On a 1986 Plymouth Horizon, staying with the proper 165/80R13 radial size helps preserve the proportions expected of the car and keeps the wheel-and-tire package visually consistent.
A restoration can lose some of its authenticity if the tire diameter, sidewall shape, or wheel diameter looks out of place. Even when the goal is not concours judging, confirming the 13-inch wheel setup and selecting an appropriate whitewall style can make the finished car look more settled, intentional, and true to its era.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Plymouth Horizon?
Yes. A 1986 Plymouth Horizon normally uses a 165/80R13 radial, but modifications can change what is actually on the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, suspension work, or body changes may affect tire clearance, wheel width, and the fitment space around the tire.
That is why the car itself should be checked before replacing old tires by size alone. Verify the wheel diameter and width, then look at steering clearance and fender space with the wheels turned and the suspension loaded. A Horizon that has stayed stock is straightforward, but a modified one should be measured rather than assumed.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Plymouth Horizon on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the wheel diameter is 13 inches, and make sure the tires are mounted in the correct 165/80R13 size. It is also smart to look over valve stems, air pressure, tread seating, and any signs of uneven suspension wear.
A compact that has spent long periods parked can have age-related issues beyond the tire itself. Check for brake drag, loose steering parts, worn shocks or struts, and alignment problems that could affect how the new tires wear. A careful pre-drive inspection helps the tire perform as intended and protects the car on its first miles back.
How should 165/80R13 tires on a collector 1986 Plymouth Horizon be maintained?
Collector-car tires should be checked regularly even when the car is driven only occasionally. For a 1986 Plymouth Horizon on 165/80R13 radials, that means monitoring inflation pressure, watching for air loss, and inspecting the tread and sidewalls for cracking, cuts, bulges, or other signs of age.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a lightly used car. Keeping the Horizon away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires’ condition over time. Occasional visual checks and pressure checks are worthwhile because low annual mileage does not prevent age-related tire deterioration.
