The 1987 Subaru DL came from an era when Subaru had already built a loyal following around compact, practical cars with real all-weather usefulness and simple mechanical durability. Whether in coupe, sedan, hatchback, or wagon form, the DL was the kind of late-1980s driver that still benefits from getting the tire fitment right instead of simply installing any 13-inch radial. This model uses either 155R13 or 165R13 radial tires, depending on the sub-model. Available choices center on blackwall radial designs from Michelin and Dunlop, with different tire series within those sizes. The key is matching the correct size to the exact body style and drivetrain layout before comparing tire character and appearance.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Subaru DL
The 1987 Subaru DL uses two primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model. Both are radial tires for 13-inch rims, so the first step is confirming whether the car is a coupe, sedan, hatchback, or wagon, and whether it is FWD or 4WD before comparing tire series and brand choices.
Fit(s): 3 Dr. Coupe (FWD), 4 Dr. Sedan (FWD), Hatchback (4WD), and Wagon (FWD)
Construction: Radial|Rim: 13 in
155R13 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 155 refers to the nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1987 Subaru DL, this size is used across several sub-models and keeps the tire selection focused on compact-car radial fitment rather than vintage bias-ply choices. Available options include Michelin and Dunlop blackwall tires, with series such as Michelin XAS-FF and SP Sport Aquajet. This size is the one to evaluate when the car is a coupe, sedan, hatchback, or FWD wagon using the original 13-inch wheel setup.
165R13 is also a Euro-metric radial size, with 165 indicating a slightly wider nominal section width than 155R13, R denoting radial construction, and 13 identifying the rim diameter. On the 1987 Subaru DL, this size is associated with the 4WD wagon, making sub-model identification especially important before choosing tires. Product choices include blackwall radials from Michelin and Dunlop in series such as Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, and SP Sport Aquajet. This is the size to compare when maintaining the wagon's proper fitment character on its 13-inch wheels.
Tire fitment on the 1987 Subaru DL is mostly straightforward, but one sub-model does use a different size. Checking the exact body style and whether the car is FWD or 4WD matters, because most DL versions use 155R13 while the 4WD wagon uses 165R13.
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1987 Subaru DL 3 Dr. Coupe (FWD)
The 1987 Subaru DL 3 Dr. Coupe (FWD) uses the smaller of the two DL tire fitments and stays with radial construction on a 13-inch wheel. Tire selection here is mainly about choosing among the available blackwall radial series while keeping the correct size for the coupe's original setup.
The 1987 Subaru DL 4 Dr. Sedan (FWD) shares the same general tire-fitment path as several other DL variants, using a 13-inch radial size rather than a unique sedan-only setup. That keeps replacement choices centered on matching the proper size first, then comparing Michelin and Dunlop offerings within that fitment.
The 1987 Subaru DL Hatchback (4WD) uses the same primary tire size as the coupe, sedan, and FWD wagon, all in radial construction on a 13-inch rim. The practical decision is less about multiple fitments and more about selecting the right tire series for road use while preserving proper size consistency.
The 1987 Subaru DL Wagon (4WD) is the DL sub-model that steps up to the larger primary tire size. That makes wheel-and-size confirmation especially important before ordering, then the choice shifts to comparing available blackwall radial options in the correct wagon fitment.
The 1987 Subaru DL Wagon (FWD) follows the more common DL fitment rather than the larger 4WD wagon size. For this wagon, tire selection should start with the correct 13-inch radial size and then move to brand and series differences within that specification.
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 Subaru DL Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Subaru DL tires focus on 155R13 and 165R13 blackwall radials from Michelin and Dunlop. Buyers can compare tire series such as Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, along with size-specific rim-width compatibility where it is stated.
Common 1987 Subaru DL tire questions usually come down to the correct size by sub-model, 13-inch rim fitment, brand and series differences, and the basic checks to make before putting a lightly used older Subaru back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Subaru DL?
The 1987 Subaru DL uses either 155R13 or 165R13 radial tires, depending on the exact sub-model. The 3 Dr. Coupe (FWD), 4 Dr. Sedan (FWD), Hatchback (4WD), and Wagon (FWD) use 155R13, while the Wagon (4WD) uses 165R13.
That means the first step is identifying the car's exact body style and drivetrain layout, not just the model name. Two DL wagons exist with different tire sizes, so a quick check of the vehicle itself and the wheel setup helps avoid choosing a tire that is correct for one DL version but not another.
What size rim does a 1987 Subaru DL use?
Both primary tire sizes for the 1987 Subaru DL use a 13-inch rim diameter. Whether the car takes 155R13 or 165R13, the wheel diameter remains the same, so the difference is in tire size selection by sub-model rather than a change in wheel diameter.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on an older Subaru. Wheel width still matters, especially if the car has replacement wheels, and the tire must match both the wheel and the specific DL configuration. Checking the wheel stamping or measuring the wheel before purchase is worthwhile if the car has been modified over the years.
Do all 1987 Subaru DL sub-models use the same tire size?
No. Most 1987 Subaru DL sub-models use 155R13, but the 1987 Subaru DL Wagon (4WD) uses 165R13 instead. All of the listed fitments are radial and all use 13-inch rims, yet the wagon's 4WD version carries the different primary size.
That distinction is important because the wagon body style alone does not tell the whole story. A front-wheel-drive wagon and a four-wheel-drive wagon do not share the same tire size here, so the buyer should confirm drivetrain as well as body style before narrowing choices by brand, series, or rim-width compatibility.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 155R13 tire for a 1987 Subaru DL?
Start by confirming that 155R13 is the actual fitment for the specific 1987 Subaru DL, since several sub-models use it but not all of them do. Once the size is confirmed, the main differences are brand, tire series, blackwall presentation, and whether the wheel falls within the stated rim-width range when that specification is available.
Michelin XAS-FF and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet give the buyer two distinct radial choices in this size. The better approach is to match the tire to the car's intended use and wheel setup rather than choosing by name alone. A lightly restored street car, a regular driver, and a modified example may not need the same product emphasis.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Subaru DL?
Michelin and Dunlop both offer tires for the 1987 Subaru DL in the applicable 13-inch radial sizes. Depending on the size, available series include Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, all presented as blackwall radial options for this vehicle.
Brand choice should come after the correct size is established, especially because the 4WD wagon uses a different primary fitment from the other DL versions. Once size is settled, compare details such as tire series, stated rim-width range where available, and any visible differences in the tire's intended character to find the most suitable match for the car.
What tire series are available for the 1987 Subaru DL?
The 1987 Subaru DL is served by several distinct tire series in its two primary sizes. Michelin XAS-FF appears in both 155R13 and 165R13, Michelin XAS appears in 165R13, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet is also available in both applicable DL sizes.
Series differences matter because they help separate one product from another even when overall size and construction are the same. A buyer comparing tires for a stock-style Subaru DL should look at the exact series within the correct size first, then confirm wheel compatibility and any other product details that affect how the tire suits the car's intended road use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Subaru DL?
A period-style 1987 Subaru DL tire choice starts with using the correct original-size format for the exact sub-model, either 155R13 or 165R13 in radial construction. Within those sizes, Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet keep the car in an era-appropriate blackwall radial presentation rather than introducing an unrelated modern tire look.
The best period-style decision depends on whether the goal is a clean stock-appearing driver or a more detail-focused restoration. Getting the size right matters more than chasing a brand name alone. When exact historical authenticity is important, compare the tire choice with model-specific literature, period photos, or marque-community guidance before finalizing the selection.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1987 Subaru DL restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1987 Subaru DL restoration because the DL uses more than one primary tire size across its sub-model range. A car restored with the wrong size may still wear a 13-inch tire, but it can lose the proper visual proportion and fitment character intended for that specific coupe, sedan, hatchback, or wagon version.
Fitment accuracy also affects how confidently the finished car can be driven and judged. The 4WD wagon's 165R13 size is not the same as the 155R13 used on the other listed DL variants, so restoration work should include confirming the exact sub-model and wheel setup before the final tire choice is made.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Subaru DL?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Subaru DL even when the original tire size is known. Aftermarket wheels, non-stock wheel widths, suspension changes, or body alterations can change how a 155R13 or 165R13 tire sits in the wheel opening and whether it maintains proper clearance during steering and suspension travel.
A DL that still uses stock 13-inch wheels is easier to size correctly, but older cars are often changed over time. It helps to verify wheel diameter and width, then inspect inner and outer clearance before settling on a tire. That is especially important if the car has been lowered, lifted, or fitted with replacement wheels from another vehicle.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Subaru DL on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Subaru DL on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the tire size matches the exact sub-model, and make sure the tires are properly seated and inflated. It is also wise to check for suspension wear, loose steering components, and any signs that previous tires contacted the body or chassis.
A short test drive should follow an initial visual inspection, especially on a collector-era car that may have spent long periods parked. Watch for rubbing, vibration, or unusual steering feel, and recheck pressure after the first miles. An older DL can have hidden issues in wheel bearings, alignment, or bushings that a new tire may make more noticeable.
How should 155R13 and 165R13 tires on a collector 1987 Subaru DL be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1987 Subaru DL should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections for cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven wear, and routine rotation when appropriate for the vehicle's setup. Because these cars are often driven less than modern daily drivers, tire age and storage conditions deserve as much attention as remaining tread depth.
Storage can have a major effect on any older Subaru that spends time parked. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving or driving the vehicle occasionally can help avoid long-term flat spotting. Before any longer drive, inspect both sidewalls and confirm no slow air loss has developed.
