The 1986 Saab 900 sits squarely in the era when Saab’s distinctive hatchback design, front-wheel-drive layout, and turbocharged personality gave the car a loyal enthusiast following. Buyers looking at this exact model today are usually balancing period character with real road usability, especially on cars that still see weekend or touring miles. Tire fitment centers on two 15-inch radial sizes, 185/65R15 and 195/60R15, depending on sub-model. Within those sizes, the choice can lean toward traditional styling cues such as wide whitewall or redline, or toward a more modern blackwall or raised white letter presentation. The key is matching the exact sub-model and wheel setup before settling on appearance and tire series.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Saab 900
The 1986 Saab 900 uses two primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model. Both are radial tires built for 15-inch rims, so the main question is not construction type but confirming whether your car takes 185/65R15, 195/60R15, or either size within the covered range. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to sidewall style, tire series, and how closely the finished look should match your restoration or driving goals.
185/65R15 is a metric radial size in which 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 65 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1986 Saab 900, this size supports the car’s original-era radial fitment on a 15-inch rim. Available choices in this size include BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial options with wide whitewall or redline sidewall treatments. It is the right size to evaluate when your specific 900 configuration calls for the narrower of the two primary fitments and you want to balance proper sizing with appearance.
195/60R15 is also a metric radial size, with a 195-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter. For the 1986 Saab 900, this size is used on sub-models that call for the wider of the two primary radial fitments. Product choices are broader here, including BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial, BFGoodrich Radial T/A, and Michelin Primacy 3, with blackwall, redline, wide whitewall, and raised white letter presentations. This size deserves a closer look when the exact car is fitted for a sportier or more aggressive visual stance within the original 15-inch wheel format.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1986 Saab 900 because some versions use one tire size while others can use either of the two primary 15-inch radial sizes. Checking whether the car is a Base, S, SPG, or Turbo is the first step before comparing sidewall style, tire series, or brand.
1
1986 Saab 900 Base
The 1986 Saab 900 Base uses the 185/65R15 radial size. That keeps tire selection straightforward, with the main choice centered on whether the car needs a more traditional visual treatment such as wide whitewall or redline within that size.
The 1986 Saab 900 S can use either 185/65R15 or 195/60R15 radial tires. That makes wheel and existing setup confirmation especially important before choosing between the narrower and wider fitments or comparing the broader product variety offered in 195/60R15.
The 1986 Saab 900 SPG uses the 195/60R15 radial size. Tire selection here leans more heavily toward comparing available sidewall treatments and series, since this size opens up both traditional-looking and more modern blackwall or raised white letter options.
The 1986 Saab 900 Turbo can use either 185/65R15 or 195/60R15 radial tires. The practical next step is confirming the wheel setup already on the car, then choosing the tire that best fits its current stance, intended road use, and overall 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 Saab 900 Tires for Sale
Available 1986 Saab 900 tire choices focus on 15-inch radial options from BFGoodrich and Michelin. Across the two sizes, buyers can compare Silvertown Radial, Radial T/A, and Primacy 3 offerings with wide whitewall, redline, raised white letter, and blackwall sidewall styles.
Showing 6 of 6
Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 1.75 Inch Whitewall | 185/65R15
These 1986 Saab 900 tire FAQs focus on the two correct 15-inch radial sizes, sub-model differences, sidewall and brand choices, and the fitment checks worth making before putting a restored or regularly driven 900 back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Saab 900?
A 1986 Saab 900 uses either 185/65R15 or 195/60R15 radial tires, depending on the specific sub-model. The Base uses 185/65R15, the SPG uses 195/60R15, and the S and Turbo are associated with both sizes. Both fitments use a 15-inch rim.
The practical step is to identify the exact sub-model and confirm what wheels are actually on the car now. Many surviving Saab 900s have seen wheel changes over the years, so matching the tire to the current rim width and overall setup matters just as much as knowing the correct size range.
What size rim does a 1986 Saab 900 use?
The covered tire fitments for a 1986 Saab 900 use a 15-inch rim diameter. Both primary sizes, 185/65R15 and 195/60R15, are built around that same 15-inch wheel diameter, so the main variation is tire width and profile rather than wheel size.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture. Width still matters, especially if the car has replacement wheels, and available products show different approved rim-width ranges by size. Confirming both wheel diameter and wheel width helps avoid choosing a tire that looks right on paper but is mismatched to the wheel.
Do all 1986 Saab 900 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1986 Saab 900 Base uses 185/65R15, while the SPG uses 195/60R15. The S and Turbo are associated with both 185/65R15 and 195/60R15, so tire fitment is not completely uniform across the full model range.
That variation means the sub-model should be confirmed before comparing tires. It also helps to inspect the wheels already installed, since a car that can use either size may have been fitted one way or the other long ago. Once the setup is verified, sidewall style and tire series become much easier decisions.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1986 Saab 900?
Start with the correct size for the exact sub-model, since the 1986 Saab 900 uses either 185/65R15 or 195/60R15 on a 15-inch rim. From there, the main comparison points are radial tire series, sidewall treatment, rim-width compatibility, and whether the car is being kept in a restoration-oriented presentation or driven in a more modern style.
A narrower decision usually follows naturally once the car’s role is clear. A period-style build may lean toward redline or wide whitewall, while a more contemporary presentation may point toward blackwall or raised white letter. Wheel width, load capacity at stated pressure, and the overall appearance you want should all be part of the final choice.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Saab 900 tires?
The available sidewall styles for 1986 Saab 900 tires include wide whitewall, redline, raised white letter, and blackwall, depending on the size and tire series. In 185/65R15, the choices center on wide whitewall and redline. In 195/60R15, the range expands to include wide whitewall, redline, raised white letter, and blackwall.
That variety lets the tire do more than just fill the wheel opening. Sidewall treatment changes the car’s visual character in a noticeable way, especially on a classic Saab with strong body lines. Once the correct size is confirmed, choosing the sidewall style becomes one of the easiest ways to steer the finished look.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Saab 900?
Tires for the 1986 Saab 900 are available from BFGoodrich and Michelin in the covered sizes. BFGoodrich appears across both 185/65R15 and 195/60R15, while Michelin is offered in 195/60R15. The available series include Silvertown Radial, Radial T/A, and Michelin Primacy 3.
Brand choice should come after the correct size and wheel fitment are settled. Once those basics are confirmed, the differences worth comparing are series character, sidewall style, and rim-width compatibility. That approach keeps the decision grounded in actual fitment instead of choosing a brand first and trying to force the rest to match.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Saab 900?
A period-style 1986 Saab 900 should first be matched to the correct size, either 185/65R15 or 195/60R15 depending on sub-model. After size is settled, BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial options with redline or wide whitewall sidewalls offer a more restoration-oriented presentation than a plain modern blackwall.
Appearance goals can vary widely with 1980s cars, especially ones that have been preserved, modified, or restored at different times. If exact originality matters, the safest approach is to confirm historical details through Saab-specific literature or marque sources. For most owners, getting the right size and an appropriate visual style is the more practical priority.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1986 Saab 900?
Construction is straightforward on the 1986 Saab 900 because the primary fitments are radial tires. That means the visual difference in a restored car comes less from bias-ply versus radial and more from sidewall treatment, tread style, and the overall character of the tire series chosen within the correct size.
A wide whitewall or redline gives the car a more deliberate vintage presentation, while blackwall or raised white letter can push it toward a later-period or more performance-minded look. Because both primary sizes are radial, the appearance decision usually comes down to how authentic, restrained, or expressive the finished car is meant to feel.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Saab 900?
Yes. A 1986 Saab 900 may be associated with 185/65R15 or 195/60R15 tires, but modifications can change what works comfortably on the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered offsets, suspension changes, or body modifications can all affect clearance even when the tire remains within one of the correct 15-inch size families.
That matters most on cars that have been lowered, fitted with non-original wheels, or rebuilt over time. Steering clearance, inner-fender room, and wheel width should be checked before settling on a tire. Even with a correct primary size, the final fit can change if the car no longer sits or rolls on its original-style wheel setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Saab 900 on new tires?
Before driving a 1986 Saab 900 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, confirm lug hardware condition, and make sure the tires are inflated properly. It also helps to check for suspension wear, alignment issues, and any signs that the car may have uneven clearance from prior modifications or repairs.
A careful walkaround after installation is worthwhile on a collector-era Saab. Look for rubbing marks, uneven sidewall proximity to suspension parts, and any unusual steering feel at low speed. After the first miles, recheck air pressure and inspect the tread face for signs of an alignment problem before putting the car into regular road use.
How should tires on a collector 1986 Saab 900 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1986 Saab 900 should be kept at the proper pressure, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, or irregular wear, and checked for slow air loss during storage. Cars that spend long periods parked deserve extra attention, since low annual mileage can hide aging and condition problems that are easy to miss.
Storage habits matter almost as much as driving habits on an older Saab. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires. Before a seasonal drive or longer trip, inspect sidewalls and tread carefully and confirm that the tires still suit the car’s current wheel and suspension setup.
