The 1988 Honda Accord sits at an important point in Accord development, when Honda's midsize sedan and hatchback had become known for tidy packaging, light-footed road manners, and everyday reliability. Buyers looking at one today are often balancing preservation with practical road use, especially on cars that have survived in unusually original condition. Tire fitment depends on sub-model, with 185/70R13 radial tires used on DX and LX models and 195/60R14 radial tires used on LXi and LXi Hatchback models. Available choices range from blackwall touring and sport-oriented radials to period-style redline and wide whitewall options in 185/70R13. The key is matching the exact sub-model and wheel diameter before choosing appearance, series, and intended driving use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1988 Honda Accord
The 1988 Honda Accord uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. DX and LX models use a 13-inch radial fitment, while LXi and LXi Hatchback models use a 14-inch radial fitment. Before choosing a tire, confirm which trim the car is and verify the wheel diameter actually on the vehicle, especially if wheels have been changed over the years.
185/70R13 is a metric radial size in which 185 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1988 Honda Accord, this size is used on certain sub-models built around a 13-inch wheel package. It is available in blackwall form as well as period-style redline and wide whitewall versions, with offerings from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein across several tire series. This size is the right place to focus if the car retains its 13-inch wheel setup and the goal is either stock-style road use or a more distinctive vintage presentation.
195/60R14 is a metric radial size with a 195-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. On the 1988 Honda Accord, this size belongs to the models equipped with the 14-inch wheel package rather than the 13-inch setup used elsewhere in the lineup. The available product selection here is more focused, centered on a blackwall Michelin MXV3-A radial. This size should be evaluated when the car is an LXi or LXi Hatchback, or whenever the vehicle clearly carries its proper 14-inch wheels and a lower-profile original fitment style.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1988 Honda Accord because the lineup is split between 13-inch and 14-inch wheel packages. Identifying whether the car is a DX, LX, LXi, or LXi Hatchback is the first step before comparing tire styles, brands, or road-use priorities.
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1988 Honda Accord DX
The 1988 Honda Accord DX uses the 185/70R13 radial size. That keeps tire selection centered on the 13-inch fitment, where the main decision becomes choosing between blackwall options and more period-style sidewall treatments such as redline or wide whitewall.
The 1988 Honda Accord LX also uses the 185/70R13 radial size. For this sub-model, the practical choice is less about fitment variation and more about matching the tire's appearance and series to the car's intended use and overall presentation.
The 1988 Honda Accord LXi uses the 195/60R14 radial size on a 14-inch wheel. Tire selection here starts with confirming that the car still has the correct wheel diameter, then choosing a radial that suits road use and preserves the intended lower-profile look.
The 1988 Honda Accord LXi Hatchback uses the same 195/60R14 radial size as the LXi. That makes wheel confirmation especially important, since a change to 13-inch or aftermarket wheels would alter the starting point for proper tire selection.
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 1988 Honda Accord Tires for Sale
Available 1988 Honda Accord tire choices vary by sub-model and wheel diameter. The 185/70R13 fitment includes BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein options in blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall form, while 195/60R14 is represented by a blackwall Michelin radial.
These FAQs focus on 1988 Honda Accord tire size by sub-model, 13-inch versus 14-inch rim fitment, available radial tire styles and brands, and the practical checks that matter before putting a collector-era Accord back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1988 Honda Accord?
A 1988 Honda Accord uses either 185/70R13 or 195/60R14 radial tires, depending on the sub-model. DX and LX models use 185/70R13, while LXi and LXi Hatchback models use 195/60R14. Both are metric radial sizes, but they are built for different wheel diameters.
That means the first step is identifying the exact trim and confirming the wheel diameter on the car today. A 13-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 14-inch wheel, and vice versa. If the Accord has been modified over the years, check the wheels directly before choosing a replacement tire.
What size rim does a 1988 Honda Accord use?
The 1988 Honda Accord uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the model. DX and LX versions are tied to the 13-inch fitment used with 185/70R13 tires, while LXi and LXi Hatchback models use the 14-inch fitment paired with 195/60R14 tires.
Rim diameter is the non-negotiable starting point because the tire bead must match the wheel exactly. It is also wise to confirm wheel width when comparing available tires, especially on 185/70R13 applications where some products include stated rim-width ranges. Any aftermarket wheel change can alter the fitment decision.
Do all 1988 Honda Accord sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1988 Honda Accord lineup is split between two sizes. DX and LX models use 185/70R13 radials, while LXi and LXi Hatchback models use 195/60R14 radials. The difference is tied to the sub-model and the wheel diameter used on that version of the car.
That distinction matters because the two sizes are not interchangeable as primary fitments. Once the correct sub-model is confirmed, the tire search becomes much more straightforward. Owners of cars with replacement wheels should verify what is actually installed, since an older Accord may no longer be wearing its original wheel package.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1988 Honda Accord?
Start with the correct size for the specific sub-model: 185/70R13 for DX and LX, or 195/60R14 for LXi and LXi Hatchback. From there, compare construction, rim compatibility where stated, load figures where available, and the overall character of the tire, whether that leans toward touring, sport, or period-style presentation.
Appearance can matter almost as much as fitment on a well-kept older Accord. Some 185/70R13 options are offered in blackwall, redline, or wide whitewall form, while other choices are more strictly conventional. Match the tire to how the car will be used, then verify wheel diameter and basic clearance before final selection.
What sidewall styles are available for 1988 Honda Accord tires?
Sidewall choice is most varied in the 185/70R13 fitment used on 1988 Honda Accord DX and LX models. That size is available in blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall versions. The 195/60R14 fitment shown for LXi and LXi Hatchback is represented by a blackwall radial.
The practical effect is mostly visual rather than dimensional, but it can strongly influence how the car presents. A blackwall keeps the look closer to a conventional late-1980s road car, while redline or wide whitewall options create a more customized or period-styled appearance. Sidewall style should always come after confirming the correct size and wheel diameter.
What brands offer tires for the 1988 Honda Accord?
Brand choice depends on the tire size used on the car. In 185/70R13, the 1988 Honda Accord has options from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. In 195/60R14, the available option shown is a Michelin radial.
That brand spread gives 13-inch Accord owners more room to compare tire series, sidewall presentation, and stated rim-width compatibility. The 14-inch fitment is narrower in selection, so confirming that the car truly needs 195/60R14 becomes especially important before focusing on brand preference. Size and wheel match should always come first.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1988 Honda Accord?
A period-style 1988 Honda Accord tire choice starts with the correct sub-model size. DX and LX models belong in 185/70R13, while LXi and LXi Hatchback models use 195/60R14. Once size is settled, blackwall radials usually preserve the most familiar late-1980s presentation, while some 185/70R13 choices allow a more stylized vintage look.
For a careful restoration, the goal is usually to keep the tire visually appropriate to the car rather than simply choosing any tire that mounts. Sidewall treatment, tread character, and overall stance all influence the result. When exact originality matters, compare the tire choice with period photos, dealer literature, or marque-specific references for the trim level.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1988 Honda Accord?
Construction is straightforward on the 1988 Honda Accord because both primary fitments are radial. That means the visual differences come less from bias-ply versus radial shape and more from sidewall treatment, tire series, and whether the car wears the correct 13-inch or 14-inch wheel package for its sub-model.
On a restoration-minded car, the wrong wheel diameter or an overly modern-looking tire can change the Accord's stance more than many owners expect. A blackwall radial generally keeps the presentation closest to a normal late-1980s road car, while redline or wide whitewall treatments on 185/70R13 move the look in a more customized direction.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1988 Honda Accord?
Yes. Wheel swaps, suspension changes, lowering, or body modifications can all affect tire fitment on a 1988 Honda Accord. Because this model already spans both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel packages depending on trim, an older car may no longer be wearing the wheel diameter it originally used.
That is why actual wheel size should be checked before buying tires, even when the trim level seems clear. Aftermarket wheels can also change width and offset, which influences clearance at the fender, strut, and steering components. A modified Accord should be measured carefully rather than relying only on the original sub-model specification.
What should I inspect before driving a 1988 Honda Accord on new tires?
Before putting a 1988 Honda Accord back into regular road use on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the correct wheel diameter, and check that the valve stems and bead seats are in good condition. It is also wise to look over suspension and steering components for looseness or wear.
A fresh set of tires cannot compensate for poor alignment, weak shocks, worn bushings, or brake issues that affect tracking and ride quality. After installation, verify inflation, look for any rubbing at full steering lock, and pay attention to how the car behaves on an initial short drive before moving on to longer trips.
How should tires on a collector 1988 Honda Accord be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1988 Honda Accord should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss, and checked for age even if tread depth still looks acceptable. Cars that spend long periods parked deserve extra attention because tire condition can decline with time as well as mileage.
Storage habits matter on a low-use Accord. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving the vehicle occasionally can reduce flat-spotting. Any sign of clearance issues, persistent vibration, or sidewall damage should be addressed before the car returns to regular road use.
