The 1988 Honda CRX came from an era when Honda was refining the small front-wheel-drive sport compact into something light, efficient, and genuinely engaging to drive. Whether the focus is economy-minded HF trim or the more performance-oriented Si, the CRX depends on the right tire size to preserve its quick responses and compact proportions. This model uses radial fitments in three distinct sizes: 165/70R13, 175/70R13, and 185/60R14, depending on sub-model. Available choices here are centered on blackwall radial tires from brands such as Avon and Michelin. The key step is matching the exact sub-model and wheel diameter before comparing tire series and road-use priorities.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1988 Honda CRX
The 1988 Honda CRX uses three different primary tire sizes, and the correct choice depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Two sizes fit 13-inch wheels, while the Si moves to a 14-inch fitment, so identifying the CRX trim and confirming the wheel already on the car should come before comparing tire options or replacement priorities.
175/70R13 is a metric radial size in which 175 refers to section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1988 Honda CRX, this size is part of the model’s primary radial fitment and suits the compact, light-footed character expected from the car’s 13-inch wheel setup. Available product choice in this size includes a blackwall Avon CR6ZZ. It is the size to evaluate when the CRX is equipped with the corresponding 13-inch wheel and the goal is to keep the proper fitment basis in place.
165/70R13 is a metric radial size with a 165-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, and a 13-inch rim diameter. This is one of the narrower primary fitments used on the 1988 Honda CRX and remains tied to specific HF-based configurations rather than the full model range. Product details are not broad here, so the main decision is less about sidewall or series variety and more about preserving the correct size and wheel match. It is the size to confirm carefully when maintaining an HF-focused CRX with its original 13-inch wheel format.
185/60R14 is a metric radial size where 185 is the nominal width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, and 14 indicates a 14-inch wheel. On the 1988 Honda CRX, this size belongs to the larger-wheel fitment used on specific sub-models and gives the buyer a different starting point than the 13-inch sizes. The available product in this size is a blackwall Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2. It is the fitment to verify when the car carries the correct 14-inch wheel and the objective is maintaining the intended size relationship for that configuration.
Tire fitment for the 1988 Honda CRX varies by sub-model, so the first step is identifying whether the car is a DX, HF, HF 1300, or Si. That matters because the model range spans both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel fitments rather than using one universal tire size.
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1988 Honda CRX DX
The 1988 Honda CRX DX uses a 175/70R13 radial tire, keeping it within the 13-inch wheel fitment used on part of the CRX range. Tire selection here is mainly about confirming that wheel diameter and then comparing available radial choices in the proper size.
The 1988 Honda CRX HF uses a 165/70R13 radial tire, which sets it apart from the DX and Si fitments. That makes size confirmation especially important on cars that may have seen wheel changes over time or are being returned to a more period-style setup.
The 1988 Honda CRX HF 1300 also uses a 165/70R13 radial tire on a 13-inch wheel. For tire selection, the practical focus is keeping that narrower fitment aligned with the car’s existing wheel setup before looking at brand or product differences.
The 1988 Honda CRX Si uses a 185/60R14 radial tire, making it the CRX sub-model here with the 14-inch fitment. That means wheel diameter needs to be confirmed first, after which the buyer can compare the available blackwall radial option in the correct size.
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 CRX Tires for Sale
Available choices for the 1988 Honda CRX center on blackwall radial tires in the model’s primary sizes, with Avon covering 175/70R13 and Michelin available in 185/60R14. The main comparison points are correct size, wheel diameter, tire series, and rim-width compatibility.
These 1988 Honda CRX tire FAQs focus on the size differences between DX, HF, HF 1300, and Si models, along with wheel-diameter fitment, product selection, appearance, and the checks worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1988 Honda CRX?
The 1988 Honda CRX uses three primary tire sizes depending on sub-model: 175/70R13, 165/70R13, and 185/60R14. DX models use 175/70R13, HF and HF 1300 models use 165/70R13, and the Si uses 185/60R14. All of these are radial tire fitments.
The practical difference is that the CRX does not use one universal tire size across the entire model range. Before choosing a replacement, confirm the exact trim and verify the wheel diameter already on the car, especially if it has been modified or has replacement wheels from another CRX configuration.
What size rim does a 1988 Honda CRX use?
A 1988 Honda CRX uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The DX, HF, and HF 1300 fit 13-inch wheels, while the Si uses a 14-inch wheel with its 185/60R14 tire size. Rim diameter matters just as much as tire size when sorting fitment.
Checking the wheel itself is important because a car may no longer have its original setup. A 13-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 14-inch wheel, and a 14-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 13-inch wheel, so confirming wheel diameter should come before comparing brands, series, or sidewall details.
Do all 1988 Honda CRX sub-models use the same tire size?
No, 1988 Honda CRX sub-models do not all use the same tire size. The DX uses 175/70R13, the HF and HF 1300 use 165/70R13, and the Si uses 185/60R14. That split means the CRX range includes both different section widths and different wheel diameters.
That variation is why trim identification matters before ordering replacement tires. A buyer who starts with the model name alone can easily miss the difference between the 13-inch HF-based fitments and the 14-inch Si setup, so the safer approach is matching the tire to the exact sub-model and current wheels.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1988 Honda CRX tire?
Start with the exact tire size and wheel diameter used by the sub-model. A 1988 Honda CRX may need 165/70R13, 175/70R13, or 185/60R14, so the first job is confirming whether the car is an HF, HF 1300, DX, or Si and making sure the wheel matches that size.
After that, compare the available radial options by tire series, rim-width range, and how the car will actually be used. A CRX kept close to stock for regular road driving may call for a different product choice than one being refreshed for occasional fair-weather use or a more period-minded presentation.
What sidewall styles are available for 1988 Honda CRX tires?
The available products for the 1988 Honda CRX shown here use a blackwall sidewall style. That applies to the Avon option in 175/70R13 and the Michelin option in 185/60R14, giving the CRX a clean, understated look that suits many later-1980s compact cars.
For a buyer, that means the visible style decision is fairly straightforward within the currently available choices. The bigger variables become correct size, proper wheel diameter, and whether the tire series fits the intended use of the car, rather than choosing between multiple whitewall, stripe, or raised-letter presentations.
What brands offer tires for the 1988 Honda CRX?
The available 1988 Honda CRX tire options here include Avon and Michelin. Avon appears in 175/70R13 with the CR6ZZ series, while Michelin appears in 185/60R14 with the Pilot Exalto PE2 series. Those choices are tied to specific CRX fitments rather than covering every sub-model with one product line.
That means brand comparison should start only after the correct size is confirmed. On this CRX, the more important first filter is sub-model and wheel diameter, since a DX, HF, and Si do not all share the same fitment even though they belong to the same 1988 Honda CRX model family.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1988 Honda CRX?
A period-style 1988 Honda CRX starts with using the correct size for the exact sub-model: 175/70R13 for DX, 165/70R13 for HF and HF 1300, and 185/60R14 for Si. Keeping the proper size and wheel diameter relationship does more for the car’s overall stance and visual balance than choosing an incorrect size with the right brand name.
Because available options differ by fitment, the next step is to choose a radial tire that suits the way the car is being presented and driven. For a more detail-oriented restoration, it also helps to compare the car against period photos, marque references, or model-specific literature before finalizing the tire presentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1988 Honda CRX restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1988 Honda CRX restoration because the car’s compact proportions are closely tied to its wheel and tire sizing. The difference between the 13-inch HF and DX setups and the 14-inch Si setup affects how the restored car sits and how authentic the finished combination appears.
Fitment also matters mechanically, not just visually. Using the right size for the sub-model helps preserve the intended wheel relationship and reduces the chance of avoidable mismatch issues, so restoration planning should include a check of trim level, current wheels, and overall tire size before a new set is chosen.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1988 Honda CRX?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1988 Honda CRX. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, lowering, and brake or body alterations can all change what clears the fenders and suspension, even when the car began with one of the original sizes such as 165/70R13, 175/70R13, or 185/60R14.
That is especially important on a CRX because the model already uses more than one factory tire and wheel combination. If the car has been changed from stock, confirm actual wheel diameter and width, then check steering clearance and body clearance at full lock and through suspension movement before settling on a replacement tire.
What should I inspect before driving a 1988 Honda CRX on new tires?
Before driving a 1988 Honda CRX on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the sub-model and rim diameter, and make sure the tires are mounted and inflated properly. It is also wise to look over valve stems, lug hardware, and general wheel condition before putting the car back into regular use.
A short follow-up check after the first drive helps catch problems early. Pay attention to any rubbing, vibration, pulling, unusual noise, or visible clearance issue, particularly on cars with suspension work or replacement wheels, since those factors can affect how even a correctly sized tire behaves once it is on the road.
How should tires on a collector 1988 Honda CRX be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1988 Honda CRX should be checked regularly for air pressure, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of slow air loss. Low-mileage cars often age out their tires before they wear them out, so condition matters just as much as remaining tread depth on a lightly used CRX.
Storage conditions also make a difference over time. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help protect the tires, and an occasional inspection of the contact patch is worthwhile if the car sits for long periods between drives or seasonal outings.
