The 1987 Mercury Lynx belongs to the last wave of compact front-wheel-drive domestic hatchbacks and wagons that balanced economy-minded packaging with a distinctly 1980s look. Buyers today often approach a Lynx with one of two goals: keeping a clean period presentation or sorting out the exact fitment on a car that may have changed wheels over the years. Tire fitment on the 1987 Mercury Lynx is radial-only, but the actual size depends on the sub-model, with both 13-inch and 15-inch applications in play. Available choices include whitewall, redline, raised white letter, and blackwall styles across several tire series. The key is confirming the exact trim and wheel diameter before choosing the tire that matches the car's appearance and use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Mercury Lynx
Three tire sizes apply to the 1987 Mercury Lynx, and the correct choice depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Most versions use a 13-inch radial tire in either 165/80R13 or 175/80R13, while the XR3 uses a 15-inch radial in 195/60R15. Before comparing brands or sidewall styles, confirm whether the car is an L, GS, GS Wagon, or XR3 and verify the wheel diameter actually on the vehicle.
165/80R13 is a metric radial size that identifies a 165-millimeter nominal section width, an 80-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim. On the 1987 Mercury Lynx, this size serves the smaller 13-inch-wheel applications and is especially relevant for buyers keeping a stock-style compact-car stance. Available options include BFGoodrich and Maxxis selections with wide whitewall and narrow whitewall presentations in Silvertown Radial and Classic Whitewall MA-1 series. It is a useful choice when the car retains its original-size 13-inch wheel setup and a traditional period look matters.
175/80R13 follows the same metric radial format, but with a wider 175-millimeter nominal section width on a 13-inch rim. This size applies to certain 1987 Mercury Lynx GS and GS Wagon applications, making it important to separate those trims from the smaller 165/80R13-equipped versions. BFGoodrich and Maxxis offerings are available here as well, with wide whitewall and narrow whitewall sidewall treatments that can shift the car's visual character. This size deserves a closer look when the Lynx uses the broader 13-inch fitment and you want to preserve the right overall stance.
195/60R15 is a lower-profile metric radial size with a 195-millimeter nominal section width, 60-series aspect ratio, and 15-inch rim diameter. On the 1987 Mercury Lynx, this size is tied to the XR3 and gives that trim a distinctly different tire-selection path from the 13-inch-wheel cars. Product choices include BFGoodrich and Michelin options with wide whitewall, redline, raised white letter, and blackwall sidewall styles across Silvertown Radial, Radial T/A, and Michelin Primacy 3 series. It is the size to evaluate when the car is an XR3 or already confirmed to use 15-inch wheels.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1987 Mercury Lynx because the tire size is not the same across the full range. The first step is identifying whether the car is an L, GS, GS Wagon, or XR3, then confirming whether it uses a 13-inch or 15-inch wheel.
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1987 Mercury Lynx GS
The 1987 Mercury Lynx GS uses one of two 13-inch radial sizes, so wheel and existing tire verification are especially important on this trim. Once the current setup is confirmed, the decision usually comes down to choosing between narrow or wide whitewall presentations and the tire series that best suits the car.
The 1987 Mercury Lynx GS Wagon shares the same two-size 13-inch radial fitment pattern as the GS. That makes trim identification only part of the job, since the wagon should also be checked for the exact size already mounted before selecting a replacement.
The 1987 Mercury Lynx L uses the smaller 13-inch radial fitment rather than the broader multi-size arrangement seen on some other trims. For this sub-model, tire selection is more straightforward and centers on retaining the correct size while choosing the sidewall style that fits the car's intended appearance.
The 1987 Mercury Lynx XR3 uses the 195/60R15 radial size, setting it apart from the 13-inch-wheel Lynx models. That opens up a wider appearance range, including whitewall, redline, raised white letter, and blackwall choices, but the 15-inch wheel diameter still needs to be confirmed before ordering.
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 Mercury Lynx Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Mercury Lynx tires span BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Michelin offerings across 13-inch and 15-inch radial sizes. Buyers can compare Silvertown Radial, Classic Whitewall MA-1, Radial T/A, and Michelin Primacy 3 options, with sidewall styles ranging from narrow or wide whitewall to redline, raised white letter, and blackwall.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 165/80R13
Common 1987 Mercury Lynx tire questions usually center on exact sub-model fitment, 13-inch versus 15-inch wheels, and how to choose among the available radial sidewall and series options.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Mercury Lynx?
The 1987 Mercury Lynx uses three possible radial tire sizes: 165/80R13, 175/80R13, and 195/60R15. The correct one depends on the sub-model. The L uses 165/80R13, the XR3 uses 195/60R15, and the GS and GS Wagon can use either 165/80R13 or 175/80R13.
That means tire selection starts with trim identification rather than brand choice. A Lynx with 13-inch wheels should still be checked for the exact size already mounted, since GS and GS Wagon applications can differ. The XR3 is easier to separate because it uses a 15-inch wheel and the 195/60R15 size.
What size rim does a 1987 Mercury Lynx use?
A 1987 Mercury Lynx uses either a 13-inch or 15-inch rim, depending on the sub-model and tire size. The 165/80R13 and 175/80R13 sizes mount on 13-inch rims, while the 195/60R15 size mounts on a 15-inch rim. Rim diameter is one of the most important checks on this vehicle.
A 13-inch tire cannot be matched to a 15-inch rim, and the reverse is equally true, so wheel diameter needs to be confirmed before comparing products. On cars that have changed hands over the years, aftermarket wheels or swapped factory wheels can blur the trim-based fitment picture. Checking the wheel itself avoids ordering the right tire size for the wrong rim.
Why does the 1987 Mercury Lynx have more than one tire size?
The 1987 Mercury Lynx has more than one tire size because fitment varies by sub-model. The L uses 165/80R13, the XR3 uses 195/60R15, and the GS and GS Wagon can use either 165/80R13 or 175/80R13. Those differences also bring two wheel diameters into the picture.
That variation makes it risky to choose a tire by model name alone. The practical approach is to confirm the exact trim, then verify the wheel diameter and current tire size on the car. Once those basics are settled, it becomes much easier to compare sidewall style, tire series, and brand without crossing into the wrong fitment group.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1987 Mercury Lynx tire?
Start with the exact fitment: 165/80R13, 175/80R13, or 195/60R15, depending on the sub-model and wheel diameter. From there, compare radial tire series, sidewall style, and rim-width compatibility within the size that belongs on the car. A Lynx used for shows may call for a different visual treatment than one driven regularly.
The 13-inch sizes lean toward traditional whitewall presentations, while the 15-inch XR3 size opens the door to whitewall, redline, raised white letter, and blackwall choices. It also helps to compare details such as load capacity and wheel-width range within the correct size. Those factors shape both appearance and practical compatibility without changing the basic fitment.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Mercury Lynx tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1987 Mercury Lynx include wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, redline, raised white letter, and blackwall, depending on tire size. The 13-inch sizes are centered on whitewall options, while the 195/60R15 size used on the XR3 adds redline, raised white letter, and blackwall alternatives to the mix.
That gives the Lynx owner some real visual flexibility without moving away from the correct size. A whitewall can suit a restoration-oriented or formal period look, while redline and raised white letter options create a sportier 1980s presentation on the XR3. Sidewall style should always be chosen after the size and wheel diameter are confirmed.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Mercury Lynx?
BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Michelin all offer tire options for the 1987 Mercury Lynx within the applicable sizes. BFGoodrich appears across both 13-inch and 15-inch fitments, Maxxis covers the 13-inch whitewall sizes, and Michelin is available in the 195/60R15 fitment used on the XR3.
Brand choice should be viewed as part of the overall fitment and appearance decision, not as a shortcut around size verification. Some offerings emphasize a classic sidewall presentation, while others lean toward a more modern blackwall look. Comparing the correct size first, then the series and sidewall treatment, usually leads to the clearest choice.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Mercury Lynx?
A period-style 1987 Mercury Lynx tire starts with the correct size for the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. For many 13-inch cars, that means choosing between 165/80R13 and 175/80R13 in a traditional whitewall presentation. On the XR3, 195/60R15 opens more appearance-driven options, including whitewall and redline styles.
The most convincing result usually comes from matching the tire's visual character to the way the car is being restored or preserved. A wagon or standard trim may look more at home on whitewalls, while the XR3 can support a sportier sidewall treatment. When exact originality matters, marque-specific historical references are worth checking before making the final choice.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Mercury Lynx?
Tire construction is straightforward on the 1987 Mercury Lynx because the primary fitments are radial across all listed sizes. The visual difference here comes less from bias-ply versus radial and more from sidewall treatment, profile, and wheel diameter. A 13-inch whitewall Lynx presents very differently from a 15-inch XR3 on raised white letters or blackwalls.
That makes appearance selection more about the trim's character than about choosing between tire constructions. Narrow and wide whitewalls can give the car a more formal late-1980s look, while redline or RWL options create a more performance-oriented feel on the XR3. Staying within the correct size keeps those appearance choices grounded in proper fitment.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Mercury Lynx?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Mercury Lynx, especially because this model already spans both 13-inch and 15-inch wheel applications. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, or body alterations can change the wheel width, the available clearance, or even the tire size currently mounted on the car.
A modified Lynx should be checked at the wheel and tire rather than assumed to follow stock trim fitment. Wheel diameter is the first checkpoint, followed by actual wheel width and visible clearance at the fender and steering components. That is particularly important on GS and GS Wagon models, where more than one 13-inch size may already be in play.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Mercury Lynx on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Mercury Lynx on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and condition, then verify that the tires are seated properly and inflated appropriately for service. It also helps to look over the suspension, steering, and brake components, especially on a car that has sat for long periods.
A short, careful first drive can reveal rubbing, pull, vibration, or clearance issues before the car is used more seriously. The sidewalls and tread should be checked again after a few miles, along with air pressure and lug torque. On an older compact like the Lynx, those simple checks help separate a routine tire change from a broader roadworthiness issue.
How should tires on a collector 1987 Mercury Lynx be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1987 Mercury Lynx benefit from regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and sensible storage habits. Even when mileage is low, tires should be watched for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss. Occasional movement also helps avoid long-term flat spotting from extended stationary storage.
A Lynx kept indoors should still be protected from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment such as motors or compressors. Periodic inspection matters just as much as mileage because age and storage conditions can affect an older car's tires long before the tread looks worn. That is true whether the car runs 13-inch whitewalls or XR3-spec 15-inch radials.
