The 1986 Subaru GL-10 came from an era when Subaru was building practical, compact cars and wagons with a strong reputation for all-weather usefulness and everyday drivability. For owners keeping one on the road today, tire fitment is straightforward in construction but still worth confirming by configuration. This model uses radial tires on 13-inch rims, with 185/70R13 fitted to the GL-10 Turbo and 175/70R13 fitted to the GL-10 Wagon. Within those sizes, the choice shifts to brand, sidewall presentation, and tire series rather than changing construction type. That makes it especially important to match the tire to the exact sub-model and the car’s current wheel setup before selecting a replacement.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Subaru GL-10
The 1986 Subaru GL-10 uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference comes down to sub-model rather than tire construction or wheel diameter. Both sizes are radial fitments for 13-inch rims, so the first step is confirming whether the car is a GL-10 Turbo or a GL-10 Wagon before comparing brands, sidewall styles, and tire series.
185/70R13 is a metric radial size in which 185 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1986 Subaru GL-10, this size is used on the Turbo and keeps the fitment in a modern radial format rather than an older numeric or alphanumeric system. Available choices include BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, with blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall presentations depending on the tire series. It is the size to evaluate when maintaining Turbo fitment while deciding how sporty, traditional, or restoration-oriented the finished look should be.
175/70R13 is also a metric radial size, with 175 indicating nominal section width in millimeters, 70 showing the aspect ratio, R for radial construction, and 13 for the wheel diameter. For the 1986 Subaru GL-10, this size applies to the Wagon and stays within the same 13-inch rim family as the other fitment. Product choice is narrower here, with an Avon CR6ZZ blackwall option in the correct size, so the decision is less about appearance variety and more about matching the proper Wagon specification. It is a useful fitment to confirm carefully if the car has changed wheels or if a previous owner mixed sizes.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1986 Subaru GL-10 because the covered configurations do not share the same primary tire size. Both use radial tires on 13-inch rims, but identifying whether the car is the Turbo or the Wagon is the key first step before choosing a replacement.
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1986 Subaru GL-10 Turbo
The 1986 Subaru GL-10 Turbo uses the larger of the two primary fitments for this model range, staying with radial construction on a 13-inch rim. Tire selection here centers on choosing among several brands, series, and sidewall styles while keeping the correct Turbo size in place.
The 1986 Subaru GL-10 Wagon uses a different radial tire size than the Turbo, even though both ride on 13-inch wheels. That makes size confirmation especially important on a wagon that may have seen wheel swaps or past replacement tires outside its original fitment pattern.
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 Subaru GL-10 Tires for Sale
Available 1986 Subaru GL-10 tires focus on radial choices in 185/70R13 and 175/70R13, with brands including BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Buyers can compare blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall styles, along with tire series and rim-width compatibility within the correct sub-model size.
Owners of a 1986 Subaru GL-10 usually need answers about the right tire size for the Turbo or Wagon, 13-inch rim fitment, available radial choices, appearance options, and what to inspect before returning a collector-era Subaru to regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Subaru GL-10?
A 1986 Subaru GL-10 uses one of two radial tire sizes depending on sub-model: 185/70R13 or 175/70R13. The GL-10 Turbo uses 185/70R13, while the GL-10 Wagon uses 175/70R13, and both fitments are built for 13-inch rims.
The practical step is confirming the exact sub-model before choosing a tire, since both sizes belong to the same year and model but are not interchangeable by assumption. It also helps to verify what wheels are actually on the car, especially if it has changed hands, because an older replacement or aftermarket wheel setup can complicate a simple size search.
What size rim does a 1986 Subaru GL-10 use?
The 1986 Subaru GL-10 uses a 13-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies to the 185/70R13 fitment used on the GL-10 Turbo and the 175/70R13 fitment used on the GL-10 Wagon.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, so a 13-inch wheel still needs the correct tire size and suitable wheel width for the tire being considered. Before replacing tires, check the stamping on the wheel if possible and compare the current setup against the tire’s rim-width requirements, especially on a car that may have seen decades of maintenance changes.
Why does the 1986 Subaru GL-10 have more than one tire size?
The 1986 Subaru GL-10 has more than one tire size because fitment varies by sub-model. The Turbo uses 185/70R13, while the Wagon uses 175/70R13, even though both remain radial tires mounted on 13-inch rims.
That means the year and model alone are not enough to choose a replacement tire correctly. Identifying the body configuration first helps prevent ordering the wrong width and profile, and it is wise to confirm the current wheel and tire setup on the car itself in case earlier owners installed a non-original size during routine service or modification.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 185/70R13 tire for a 1986 Subaru GL-10?
A 185/70R13 tire for a 1986 Subaru GL-10 should first match the Turbo sub-model, since that is the configuration that uses this size. After size confirmation, the main differences are brand, tire series, sidewall style, and wheel-width compatibility, with choices from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein.
Selection often comes down to how the car will be used and how you want it to look. Blackwall options keep a more understated appearance, while redline and wide whitewall versions change the presentation noticeably. Checking the wheel width against the tire’s approved range is worthwhile before narrowing down series or sidewall style.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Subaru GL-10 tires?
Sidewall style choices for the 1986 Subaru GL-10 include blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall, depending on the tire size and product selected. The broadest appearance variety is in 185/70R13, where the available choices include blackwall performance-style radials as well as BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial options with redline or 2-inch whitewall styling.
The right sidewall treatment depends on the look you want from the car rather than a change in basic fitment. A subdued blackwall suits many drivers who want a cleaner late-classic appearance, while redline or whitewall options can push the car toward a more stylized or restoration-oriented presentation without changing the primary tire size.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Subaru GL-10?
Tires for the 1986 Subaru GL-10 are available from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, depending on size. The 185/70R13 fitment has the broadest brand spread, while 175/70R13 is represented by Avon in the currently available product selection.
Brand choice should still start with the correct sub-model size rather than reputation alone. Once that is settled, compare the tire series, sidewall appearance, and wheel-width compatibility that each brand offers in the exact size. That approach is more useful than trying to pick a brand first and then forcing the fitment to match.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Subaru GL-10?
A period-style 1986 Subaru GL-10 tire should begin with the correct sub-model size: 185/70R13 for the Turbo or 175/70R13 for the Wagon. From there, the choice depends on whether the goal is a restrained blackwall look or a more stylized presentation such as redline or wide whitewall in the sizes where those treatments are offered.
For many owners, the most convincing result comes from balancing fitment accuracy with the visual character of the car rather than chasing a generic vintage look. If exact originality matters, compare the finished appearance against marque references, period photos, or model-specific restoration guidance before settling on a sidewall style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1986 Subaru GL-10?
Tire construction is less of a visual dividing line on a restored 1986 Subaru GL-10 because the primary fitments for this model are already radial. The appearance difference comes more from the sidewall treatment and tire series than from choosing between bias-ply and radial construction.
That shifts the restoration decision toward details such as blackwall versus redline or whitewall, along with the overall stance created by the correct Turbo or Wagon size. A tire can look convincingly period-style without making unsupported originality claims, especially when the proportions and sidewall presentation suit the car’s mid-1980s character.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Subaru GL-10?
Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1986 Subaru GL-10 even when the tire size sounds correct on paper. Wheel width changes, aftermarket 13-inch wheels, suspension alterations, or body clearance differences can all influence whether a 175/70R13 or 185/70R13 tire works cleanly on the specific car.
A careful inspection should cover actual wheel diameter and width, tire-to-fender clearance, and steering movement from lock to lock. Lowering, worn springs, or replacement struts can also change the way the tire sits in the wheel opening, so it helps to verify the car’s current setup before choosing a new set of tires.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Subaru GL-10 on new tires?
Before driving a 1986 Subaru GL-10 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm lug hardware is correct, and make sure the tires match the car’s actual sub-model size. It is also smart to check inflation pressure, valve stems, tread seating, and basic clearance at the fenders and suspension.
An older Subaru that has spent time parked deserves extra attention after installation. Look for uneven suspension height, brake drag, or steering components that could interfere with tire wear or clearance once the car is moving again. A short initial drive followed by a recheck of pressure and visible fitment can catch problems early.
How should 1986 Subaru GL-10 tires be maintained?
1986 Subaru GL-10 tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine inspections for cracking or bulges, and close attention to uneven wear. Because many surviving GL-10s are hobby or occasional-use cars, age and storage conditions matter almost as much as tread depth when judging tire condition.
Long periods of inactivity can flatten spots temporarily and accelerate aging if the car sits in heat, sunlight, or near ozone-producing equipment. It helps to move the vehicle periodically, keep the tires properly inflated, and inspect them before any longer trip. Collector-era cars often accumulate little mileage, so visual condition should never be overlooked.
