The 1987 Toyota Tercel sits in the practical, fuel-conscious part of the late-1980s import market, a lightweight Toyota valued today for its simplicity, durability, and honest everyday character. That straightforward personality carries into tire selection, but this exact model year is not a one-size-fits-all situation. The 1987 Toyota Tercel uses several 13-inch radial tire sizes, including 155R13, 175/70R13, 155/80R13, and 145/80R13, depending on sub-model. Available choices range from blackwall sport-oriented radials to narrow and wide whitewall options in 155/80R13. The key is confirming the exact sub-model first, then choosing the tire style and profile that best match the car’s use and appearance.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Toyota Tercel
Four primary tire sizes apply to the 1987 Toyota Tercel, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model. All of them are radial tires built for 13-inch rims, so the first step is identifying whether the car is a DLX, DLX Wagon, DX, SR5, or STD before comparing tire style, profile, and available product choices.
155R13 is a Euro-metric radial size that uses a 155-millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter, with the profile conventionally falling into the older metric radial style. On the 1987 Toyota Tercel, it suits trim levels that retained a more traditional small-car sizing format. Available choices in this size include blackwall radials from Michelin and Dunlop across the XAS-FF and SP Sport Aquajet series. It is the right size to evaluate when your Tercel carries this exact fitment and you want to stay with the original sizing convention rather than moving to a later metric profile format.
175/70R13 is a metric radial size with a 175-millimeter section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and a 13-inch rim diameter. For the 1987 Toyota Tercel, this size represents a lower-profile metric radial fitment than the older 155R13 format. The available product selection here centers on a blackwall Avon CR6ZZ, giving this size a distinctly performance-oriented character compared with the more traditional-looking whitewall options found in other Tercel sizes. It is the size to confirm carefully on DLX Wagon or SR5 applications where the exact sub-model and wheel setup determine whether this fitment is appropriate.
155/80R13 is a metric radial size that combines a 155-millimeter section width with an 80-series aspect ratio on a 13-inch rim. On the 1987 Toyota Tercel, it provides a modern metric expression of a narrow, small-car radial fitment. Product choice is especially important here because this size is available in blackwall-adjacent classic radial form as well as narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments from brands such as Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel. It is the size to consider when keeping the correct profile matters, while appearance becomes the main decision once the sub-model and wheel dimensions are confirmed.
145/80R13 is a metric radial size with a 145-millimeter section width, an 80-series aspect ratio, and a 13-inch rim diameter. Within the 1987 Toyota Tercel range, this is the narrowest primary tire size and appears only on certain configurations rather than across the full model line. Its practical role is less about broad product comparison and more about making sure the car actually uses this narrower fitment before any replacement is chosen. It deserves a careful wheel and sub-model check, especially on cars that may have been changed over the years to a different 13-inch tire size.
Tire fitment on the 1987 Toyota Tercel varies by sub-model, and some versions carry more than one primary size. Checking the exact trim matters before choosing a replacement, even though every fitment in this range uses a 13-inch radial tire.
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1987 Toyota Tercel DLX
The 1987 Toyota Tercel DLX uses the 155R13 radial size. That makes the main decision less about which primary size fits and more about selecting between the available blackwall radial options while keeping the older Euro-metric sizing format in place.
The 1987 Toyota Tercel DLX Wagon can use either 155R13 or 175/70R13, so confirming the wheel and current fitment is especially important. Tire choice here depends on whether the wagon retains the narrower traditional metric sizing or the wider, lower-profile 70-series radial setup.
The 1987 Toyota Tercel DX uses 155/80R13. Once that size is confirmed, the selection focus shifts to sidewall presentation, since this fitment includes narrow whitewall and wide whitewall choices as well as differences in tire series and rim-width specifications.
The 1987 Toyota Tercel SR5 uses 175/70R13. For this sub-model, the emphasis is on confirming that exact metric profile and 13-inch wheel setup, then choosing a tire that matches how the car is driven and presented.
The 1987 Toyota Tercel STD can use 145/80R13 or 155R13, making trim verification and wheel confirmation important before replacement. On a car like this, years of ownership changes can matter as much as the badge, so matching the actual setup should come before comparing tire styles.
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 Toyota Tercel Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Toyota Tercel tire choices include Michelin, Dunlop, Avon, Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel. Depending on size, buyers can compare blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall radials across series such as XAS-FF, SP Sport Aquajet, CR6ZZ, Silvertown Radial, and Classic Whitewall MA-1.
These 1987 Toyota Tercel FAQs focus on the trim-specific tire sizes, 13-inch rim fitment, available radial styles, and the checks that matter before replacing tires on an older compact Toyota.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Toyota Tercel?
The 1987 Toyota Tercel uses four primary tire sizes: 155R13, 175/70R13, 155/80R13, and 145/80R13. The correct one depends on the exact sub-model. DLX uses 155R13, SR5 uses 175/70R13, DX uses 155/80R13, while DLX Wagon and STD can use more than one size depending on configuration.
That means the first step is identifying the exact trim and then confirming what is actually on the car now. Since all of these fitments use 13-inch rims, the more important distinction is tire profile and width. On an older Tercel, wheel changes or prior replacements may have altered the setup, so checking the current wheel and tire combination helps avoid choosing the wrong size.
What size rim does a 1987 Toyota Tercel use?
The tire fitments for the 1987 Toyota Tercel use a 13-inch rim diameter. That remains consistent across 155R13, 175/70R13, 155/80R13, and 145/80R13, even though the section width and profile differ from one size to another.
A shared 13-inch diameter does not mean every Tercel tire size should be treated the same. Width and profile still affect how the tire sits on the wheel and how it clears the car. Checking actual wheel width is worthwhile before selecting a replacement, especially on a DLX Wagon or STD where more than one primary size may apply or where previous owners may have changed the setup.
Why does the 1987 Toyota Tercel have more than one tire size?
The 1987 Toyota Tercel has more than one tire size because fitment varies by sub-model. Different trims within the lineup used different 13-inch radial sizes, and some versions such as the DLX Wagon and STD can be associated with two primary fitments rather than just one.
That variety makes trim identification more important than it would be on a single-size vehicle. Two tires can both fit 13-inch wheels and still differ in width and sidewall profile enough to change the look and the setup. Matching the replacement to the exact sub-model and current wheel dimensions is the safest way to narrow the correct choice before comparing brands or sidewall styles.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1987 Toyota Tercel?
Start with the exact tire size used by your 1987 Toyota Tercel sub-model, because this model year spans 155R13, 175/70R13, 155/80R13, and 145/80R13. After size, the main considerations are wheel compatibility, intended appearance, and how you want the car to present on the road.
A 155R13 blackwall radial gives a different visual result than a 155/80R13 narrow or wide whitewall, even though both belong to the same vehicle family. Product details such as rim-width range, max load figures where stated, and tire series can also help separate one option from another. Choosing carefully matters most on a lightly modified or long-owned Tercel where the current wheel setup may not match the original trim.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Toyota Tercel tires?
Sidewall style depends on the size chosen for the 1987 Toyota Tercel. Blackwall options are available in 155R13 and 175/70R13, while 155/80R13 opens up additional appearance choices including narrow whitewall and wide whitewall radials.
That makes sidewall treatment an important part of the buying decision once the fitment is confirmed. A blackwall keeps the look simple and understated, while whitewall options create a more vintage or restoration-oriented presentation on a compact Toyota. Since sidewall style varies by size rather than across the whole model line, confirm the correct Tercel fitment first and then compare appearance within that specific size.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Toyota Tercel?
Tires for the 1987 Toyota Tercel are available from Michelin, Dunlop, Avon, Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel. Brand availability depends on the tire size, with 155R13, 175/70R13, and 155/80R13 each having different product choices and series.
Brand selection is most useful after the correct size has been narrowed down. Some sizes lean toward blackwall sport or touring-style products, while 155/80R13 also includes classic whitewall choices. Rather than trying to compare every brand across the entire Tercel lineup, it is better to confirm the exact size first and then evaluate the options in that one size for sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, and overall presentation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Toyota Tercel?
A period-style 1987 Toyota Tercel tire choice starts with using the exact size that belongs on the specific sub-model. For some cars that means 155R13 in an older Euro-metric radial format, while others use 155/80R13 or 175/70R13 in modern metric radial form.
Once the size is correct, appearance becomes the next decision. Blackwall radials preserve a straightforward late-1980s small-car look, while narrow or wide whitewall 155/80R13 options create a more stylized presentation. If originality matters beyond general period feel, compare the car against marque references, period photos, or restoration documentation before settling on a sidewall treatment or tire series.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Toyota Tercel?
Tire construction is simple on the 1987 Toyota Tercel because the primary fitments are radial across the board. The appearance difference comes less from choosing between bias-ply and radial construction and more from selecting among older Euro-metric and modern metric radial formats, plus the available sidewall styles.
A 155R13 blackwall gives a different visual impression than a 155/80R13 wide whitewall, even though both are radial tires on 13-inch rims. That is especially important on a restoration-oriented Tercel where proportions and sidewall treatment influence the finished look. Matching the trim-specific size first helps keep the stance believable before appearance details such as whitewall width enter the decision.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Toyota Tercel?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Toyota Tercel even though the original fitments all use 13-inch radial tires. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, or body work can change whether the original-size replacement still makes sense for the car as it sits today.
A Tercel with non-original wheels may still accept a 13-inch tire, but profile and section width can interact differently with fenders and steering components. Cars that have been lowered or otherwise altered deserve an extra clearance check before any replacement is chosen. Looking at wheel width, tire-to-body clearance, and current ride height helps prevent surprises once the new tires are installed.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Toyota Tercel on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Toyota Tercel on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and sound condition, confirm the tires are mounted in the proper size, and look over the valve stems, balance, and inflation. It is also smart to check for any obvious interference at full steering lock or over suspension movement.
An older compact car can hide problems that have little to do with the tire itself, including worn suspension parts, old alignment issues, or uneven wheel condition. A short, careful initial drive helps confirm that the car tracks properly and that no rubbing, vibration, or air loss appears. Rechecking pressure after the first outings is a sensible habit on a collector-age driver.
How often should tires on a 1987 Toyota Tercel be inspected?
Tires on a 1987 Toyota Tercel should be inspected regularly, especially if the car is driven infrequently. Collector-age and low-use vehicles can develop age-related tire issues even when tread wear is minimal, so condition matters as much as mileage.
Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and any sign of slow air loss. Pressure should be checked periodically, and the tires deserve a close visual inspection before longer drives or after the car has been stored for extended periods. A Tercel that spends time parked indoors may still need attention because age, storage conditions, and simple time can affect tire condition long before the tread looks worn out.
