The 1987 Ford Tempo reflects the practical, efficiency-minded direction of American family cars in the late 1980s, when front-wheel-drive packaging, tidy dimensions, and everyday drivability mattered as much as style. For owners keeping one on the road today, tire choice is less about sorting through multiple factory fitments and more about selecting the right version of the one primary size it uses. The 1987 Ford Tempo runs a 185/70R14 radial on a 14-inch rim. Within that size, there are blackwall touring and sport-oriented choices as well as a wide whitewall option for a more distinctive presentation. The right pick depends on whether the goal is original-style road manners, period-flavored appearance, or straightforward driver use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Ford Tempo
The 1987 Ford Tempo uses one primary tire size: 185/70R14, and it is a radial fitment for a 14-inch rim. That same size is used across the covered sub-models, so the main decision is not which size fits, but which tire within that size best matches the car's intended use, appearance, and wheel setup.
A 185/70R14 size identifies a metric radial tire with a 185-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and fitment for a 14-inch wheel. On the 1987 Ford Tempo, this is the primary radial size and suits the car's late-1980s road-car character. Available choices in this size include blackwall tires from Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, along with a BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial with a 2.25 inch wide whitewall. Selecting within 185/70R14 comes down to the look you want, the tire series you prefer, and confirming that the wheel width matches the tire's requirements.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1987 Ford Tempo sub-models, with the same primary size used throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that the car has not been altered with different wheels or a non-original setup.
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1987 Ford Tempo AWD
The 1987 Ford Tempo AWD uses the same 185/70R14 radial tire size as the other covered Tempo versions. That keeps size selection simple, leaving the real choice centered on blackwall versus whitewall appearance and matching the tire to the wheel width on the car.
The 1987 Ford Tempo GL shares the 185/70R14 radial fitment used across this model range. For the GL, tire selection is mainly about choosing the right sidewall style and tire series while confirming the existing 14-inch wheel setup is still in place.
The 1987 Ford Tempo GLS uses the same 185/70R14 radial size found on the other covered sub-models. That makes replacement sizing straightforward, so attention can shift to whether the car is being kept as a clean driver, a more restoration-minded example, or something with a distinctive period look.
The 1987 Ford Tempo LX also uses a 185/70R14 radial tire on a 14-inch rim. Because the primary fitment stays consistent, the LX owner can focus on product differences such as tire series, sidewall presentation, and wheel-width compatibility rather than sorting through multiple sizes.
The 1987 Ford Tempo Sport uses the same 185/70R14 radial fitment as the rest of the covered lineup. That means the key decision is choosing a tire that suits the car's appearance and driving role, while verifying wheel condition and width before installation.
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 1987 Ford Tempo Tires for Sale
Available 185/70R14 options span BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, with several distinct tire series. Most choices are blackwall radials, while the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial adds a wide whitewall option for a more period-styled look.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 185/70R14
These FAQs focus on 1987 Ford Tempo tire size, 14-inch rim fitment, product and sidewall choices within 185/70R14, and the key wheel, condition, and maintenance checks to make before putting the car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Ford Tempo?
The 1987 Ford Tempo uses a 185/70R14 tire size. It is a radial fitment and corresponds to a 14-inch wheel, making size selection relatively simple compared with vehicles that used multiple factory tire sizes.
Because the primary size stays the same across the covered Tempo sub-models, the bigger decision is choosing the right tire within 185/70R14. Before replacing tires, confirm that the car still has its current 14-inch wheels, check wheel width, and make sure a previous owner has not changed the suspension or wheel setup.
What size rim does a 1987 Ford Tempo use?
The 1987 Ford Tempo uses a 14-inch rim with its primary 185/70R14 tire size. That rim diameter is part of the tire size itself, with the final number in 185/70R14 indicating the wheel diameter in inches.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, so it is worth checking wheel width as well before choosing among available tires. Several 185/70R14 products have different approved rim-width ranges, and that matters if the car has replacement wheels or if the original wheels have been changed over time.
Do all 1987 Ford Tempo sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 1987 Ford Tempo sub-models all use the same primary tire size: 185/70R14. That includes AWD, GL, GLS, LX, and Sport, each using radial construction in that same basic fitment.
Shared sizing makes replacement easier, but the exact tire choice can still vary depending on how the car is being used and presented today. A Tempo kept as a casual driver may call for a different sidewall style or tire series than one being preserved with a more period-minded appearance.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 185/70R14 tire for a 1987 Ford Tempo?
Start with the fixed points: the 1987 Ford Tempo uses a 185/70R14 radial on a 14-inch rim. From there, compare the available tire series, sidewall presentation, and wheel-width compatibility so the tire matches both the car and its intended use.
A blackwall tire gives the Tempo a clean late-1980s driver look, while a wide whitewall changes the presentation considerably. It also helps to compare load figures where they are stated and to make sure the wheel itself is straight, properly sized, and in good enough condition for dependable road use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Ford Tempo tires?
The available 185/70R14 choices for a 1987 Ford Tempo include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Most of the options are blackwall radials, while the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial offers a 2.25 inch wide whitewall for a more distinctive appearance.
Sidewall style affects the look of the car more than the fitment, but it can change the whole character of a Tempo. A blackwall keeps things restrained and era-appropriate for everyday use, while a wide whitewall creates a more customized or nostalgia-oriented presentation without changing the base tire size.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Ford Tempo?
Tires for the 1987 Ford Tempo in 185/70R14 are available from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Those brands cover several tire series, including Silvertown Radial, CR6ZZ, Sport Classic, Michelin XAS, and Sprint Classic.
Brand choice is best treated as part of the overall selection process rather than a shortcut. Compare the sidewall style, tire series character, approved rim-width range, and any stated load information so the final choice suits the car's appearance, the wheel on the car, and the way the vehicle is actually driven.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Ford Tempo?
A period-style 1987 Ford Tempo should stay with the correct 185/70R14 radial size first. Within that size, the choice becomes a matter of presentation, with blackwall options preserving a restrained late-1980s look and a wide whitewall creating a noticeably more stylized appearance.
For a restoration-oriented car, tire selection should support the look you are trying to achieve without straying from the proper size. If exact originality matters beyond general period style, it is wise to compare the car against marque literature, surviving examples, or model-specific enthusiast references before settling on a sidewall treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Ford Tempo?
On a 1987 Ford Tempo, construction is less of a visual divide than it would be on an earlier collector car because the primary fitment is already radial. The bigger appearance difference comes from sidewall styling, especially the contrast between a blackwall radial and a wide whitewall radial in the same 185/70R14 size.
Keeping the correct radial size helps maintain the car's proper stance and overall visual balance. From there, the sidewall choice should match the restoration goal, whether that means a cleaner factory-era impression or a more personalized period look that still respects the Tempo's original sizing and wheel format.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Ford Tempo?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Ford Tempo even when the correct original size is 185/70R14. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension lowering, replacement springs, or bodywork can all alter the available space around the tire.
A Tempo with non-original wheels should be checked carefully for rim diameter, wheel width, and clearance at full steering lock and normal suspension travel. Even a tire in the correct nominal size can create issues if the wheel dimensions or the car's ride height no longer match the stock-style setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Ford Tempo on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Ford Tempo on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm proper inflation, and make sure the tires seat correctly on the rims. It is also smart to look over the suspension and steering components so the car is not putting unnecessary stress on the new tires.
A road test should begin gently, with attention to vibration, pulling, rubbing, or unusual noises. Collector and infrequently driven cars deserve extra caution because dry cracking, old valve stems, worn bushings, and alignment issues can show up quickly once fresh tires are installed and the vehicle returns to regular road use.
How should 185/70R14 tires on a collector 1987 Ford Tempo be maintained?
185/70R14 tires on a collector 1987 Ford Tempo should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and protected from long periods of harsh sun or ozone exposure. Low-mileage cars often age their tires out long before they wear them out.
Regular checks matter even more when the Tempo is stored for extended periods between drives. Rolling the car occasionally, keeping it on clean dry surfaces, and watching for slow air loss can help preserve the tires, while any sign of sidewall deterioration or repeated pressure loss calls for closer inspection before road use.
