The 1986 Pontiac Grand Am came from an era when sporty personal coupes and sedans blended everyday drivability with sharper styling and trim distinctions. By the mid-1980s, wheel and tire choices were becoming a more visible part of how a car presented itself, and the Grand Am reflects that shift with more than one radial fitment depending on configuration. This model uses 185/80R13, 205/70R13, or 215/60R14 radial tires. Available choices range from traditional whitewall treatments to blackwall and raised white letter styles. The right selection depends on the exact sub-model, wheel diameter, and whether the goal is stock-style appearance or a more performance-oriented look.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Pontiac Grand Am
The 1986 Pontiac Grand Am uses three primary tire sizes, and the first step is identifying both the exact sub-model and the wheel diameter on the car. Two sizes fit 13-inch rims, while one size fits a 14-inch rim, so choosing correctly depends on matching the tire to the actual wheel setup before comparing sidewall style, brand, or series.
185/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1986 Pontiac Grand Am, this size supports a more traditional passenger-car tire profile on a 13-inch wheel. Available options include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Coker Classic across the Maxxis Radial, Silvertown Radial, and Star Series lines. It is a strong size to evaluate when preserving a softer, more traditional visual presentation matters as much as basic fitment.
205/70R13 is a metric radial size with a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. For the 1986 Pontiac Grand Am, it remains a 13-inch-wheel fitment but shifts the tire's proportions from the taller 185/80R13 format. The available choice in this size is a Michelin XDX-B blackwall radial, giving it a distinctly different look from the whitewall-oriented 185/80R13 options. This size deserves close attention if the car is on 13-inch wheels and the goal is a lower-profile metric radial presentation rather than a traditional whitewall appearance.
215/60R14 is a metric radial size where 215 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1986 Pontiac Grand Am, this size is tied to a 14-inch rim and gives the car a more assertive, sport-oriented tire profile than the 13-inch fitments. The available product is a BFGoodrich Radial T/A with raised white letters, a sidewall treatment strongly associated with 1980s performance styling. It is the key size to consider when the car already carries 14-inch wheels and appearance is part of the decision.
Sub-model fitment on the 1986 Pontiac Grand Am is mostly straightforward, but it still matters because not every version uses the same full range of tire sizes. Base and LE models can appear with multiple fitments, while the SE is tied to a single 14-inch radial size.
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1986 Pontiac Grand Am Base
The 1986 Pontiac Grand Am Base can use 185/80R13, 205/70R13, or 215/60R14 radial tires depending on the wheel setup on the car. Tire selection starts with confirming whether it has 13-inch or 14-inch rims, then narrowing the choice by sidewall style and overall presentation.
The 1986 Pontiac Grand Am LE also spans 185/80R13, 205/70R13, and 215/60R14 radial fitments. That makes wheel-diameter verification especially important before choosing between traditional whitewall styles, blackwall options, or the more performance-flavored raised white letter look.
The 1986 Pontiac Grand Am SE uses 215/60R14 radial tires. Selection is more focused here, with the main considerations shifting from size identification to confirming 14-inch wheel compatibility and deciding whether the available raised white letter presentation suits the car's intended look.
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 Pontiac Grand Am Tires for Sale
Available 1986 Pontiac Grand Am tire choices cover all three primary sizes, with brands including Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Michelin. The product grid shows meaningful variation in tire series, sidewall style, and rim-width compatibility, from traditional whitewalls to blackwall and raised white letter radials.
These 1986 Pontiac Grand Am tire FAQs focus on the sizes that apply, how sub-model and wheel diameter affect fitment, and how to compare available radial tires by appearance, series, and road-use considerations.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Pontiac Grand Am?
A 1986 Pontiac Grand Am can use 185/80R13, 205/70R13, or 215/60R14 radial tires. Base and LE versions can appear with all three sizes, while the SE uses 215/60R14. The correct fitment depends on the sub-model and, just as importantly, the wheel diameter actually on the car.
The practical next step is checking whether the car has 13-inch or 14-inch rims before comparing tires. Once the wheel diameter is confirmed, the decision becomes more specific: traditional whitewall styling in 185/80R13, a blackwall metric radial in 205/70R13, or a 14-inch raised white letter tire in 215/60R14.
What size rim does a 1986 Pontiac Grand Am use?
The 1986 Pontiac Grand Am uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the tire size fitted to the car. Both 185/80R13 and 205/70R13 are 13-inch tire sizes, while 215/60R14 is a 14-inch size. The SE is associated with the 14-inch setup.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed directly on the car before a tire is selected, especially on a model that spans more than one original fitment. A Grand Am that has been changed over to different wheels will need the tire matched to the current rim diameter and width rather than the trim badge alone.
Do all 1986 Pontiac Grand Am sub-models use the same tire size?
No, not every 1986 Pontiac Grand Am sub-model uses the same tire size. The Base and LE can use 185/80R13, 205/70R13, or 215/60R14, but the SE uses 215/60R14 only. That means trim level can narrow the fitment range, but wheel size still needs to be verified.
This matters because two Grand Ams from the same year can require different tires even before sidewall style or brand enters the picture. A buyer looking at a Base or LE should confirm the actual wheel and tire already on the car, while an SE owner can focus more directly on 14-inch radial selection.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1986 Pontiac Grand Am?
Start with the correct primary size for the car: 185/80R13, 205/70R13, or 215/60R14. From there, compare wheel diameter, rim-width compatibility, sidewall style, and the overall character of the tire. On this Grand Am, the available options range from whitewall radials to blackwall and raised white letter designs.
A period-minded street car may lean toward the whitewall choices in 185/80R13, while a more sport-oriented appearance may point toward 205/70R13 blackwall or 215/60R14 RWL styling. It also helps to compare load figures and product series details where available, especially if the car sees regular road use rather than occasional cruising.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Pontiac Grand Am tires?
Sidewall styles for the 1986 Pontiac Grand Am include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, blackwall, and RWL, or raised white letter. Those styles are spread across the three primary tire sizes rather than being available in every fitment. Sidewall appearance is one of the biggest visual differences between otherwise correct Grand Am tire choices.
That makes size selection and appearance selection closely related on this car. A 13-inch whitewall tire creates a much different impression than a 13-inch blackwall Michelin or a 14-inch BFGoodrich Radial T/A with raised white letters, so the right choice depends on both wheel setup and the style the car is meant to project.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Pontiac Grand Am?
Tires for the 1986 Pontiac Grand Am are available from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Michelin. Brand choice varies by size, with the most variety in 185/80R13, a Michelin option in 205/70R13, and a BFGoodrich option in 215/60R14. Brand selection is tied closely to size and sidewall style.
Rather than choosing a brand first, it makes more sense to match the car to the correct size and wheel diameter, then compare the products available in that fitment. Once that is settled, differences in tire series, sidewall treatment, rim-width range, and load specification become the factors that separate one option from another.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Pontiac Grand Am?
A period-style 1986 Pontiac Grand Am tire choice starts with the correct size for the car and then moves to the visual character of the sidewall. The available options span whitewall radials in 185/80R13, a blackwall Michelin in 205/70R13, and a raised white letter BFGoodrich in 215/60R14.
That gives owners room to match the tire to the car's intended personality rather than forcing one look across every version. If exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against vehicle-specific historical references or marque documentation, since a period-appropriate appearance and a truly original delivery configuration are not always the same thing.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1986 Pontiac Grand Am?
On a 1986 Pontiac Grand Am, appearance differences come less from construction changes and more from size and sidewall treatment, because the primary fitments here are all radial. The visible contrast is between taller-profile 13-inch whitewall tires, a 13-inch blackwall performance-style presentation, and the 14-inch raised white letter look.
That means a restored Grand Am can change character noticeably without leaving its correct radial-era context. Choosing among those looks should still begin with the proper size and wheel diameter for the specific car, since a convincing restoration-oriented presentation depends on fitment being right before the styling details are considered.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Pontiac Grand Am?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1986 Pontiac Grand Am. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, or body modifications can all change the space available for a tire, even when the size sounds close to an original fitment. This matters especially on a car that already used both 13-inch and 14-inch tire packages.
A changed wheel setup should be checked for actual diameter and width before new tires are chosen. Steering clearance, fender clearance, and the relationship between the tire and suspension should also be inspected through the full range of motion, since a correct-looking size on paper is not the same as a confirmed fit on a modified car.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Pontiac Grand Am on new tires?
Before driving a 1986 Pontiac Grand Am on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and condition, confirm proper air pressure, and look over the suspension and steering for worn parts that could affect tire wear or clearance. Lug hardware, valve stems, and overall mounting condition deserve attention as well.
A short road test should be used to check for rubbing, vibration, or pull, especially if the car recently changed wheel size or sat for long periods. It is also smart to recheck inflation and visual condition after the first few drives, since collector-era cars often reveal small issues only after returning to regular road use.
How should tires on a collector 1986 Pontiac Grand Am be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1986 Pontiac Grand Am should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly, and protected from long periods of heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone exposure. Even a lightly driven car can develop age-related problems such as sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, or visible deformation over time.
Regular visual checks are as important as mileage-based service on a car that is stored more than it is driven. It helps to examine tread and sidewalls before every outing, move the car periodically during storage, and address any cuts, bulges, or persistent pressure loss before the Grand Am is taken on a longer drive.
