The 1988 Mitsubishi Galant belongs to the era when midsize import sedans were balancing sharper road manners, modern packaging, and a more refined everyday driving character than many earlier family cars. For owners keeping one on the road today, tire choice has as much to do with preserving the car’s stance and feel as it does simple replacement. The 1988 Mitsubishi Galant uses a 195/60R15 radial tire on a 15-inch rim. That opens the door to very different presentations, from blackwall Michelin touring style to BFGoodrich options with raised white letters, redlines, or wide whitewalls. The right choice comes down to appearance, wheel compatibility, and how original or personalized the car is meant to feel.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1988 Mitsubishi Galant
The 1988 Mitsubishi Galant uses one primary tire size: 195/60R15. It is a radial fitment for a 15-inch rim, and the covered Galant Sigma sub-model uses the same size as well. That means the main decision is not between multiple primary fitments, but between the available radial tire styles, brands, and overall look that best suits the car.
195/60R15 is a metric radial size in which 195 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1988 Mitsubishi Galant, this is a modern radial fitment that supports the car’s late-1980s handling and road manners. Available choices include BFGoodrich and Michelin, with sidewall treatments ranging from blackwall to RWL, redline, and wide whitewall across series such as Silvertown Radial, Radial T/A, and Michelin Primacy 3. The practical choice is less about fitment range and more about whether the car calls for a stock-looking driver, a sportier presentation, or a custom period-inspired look.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the covered 1988 Mitsubishi Galant range. The Galant Sigma uses the same primary tire size, so the focus stays on choosing the right radial tire style and confirming that the car still has the correct 15-inch wheel setup.
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1988 Mitsubishi Galant Sigma
The 1988 Mitsubishi Galant Sigma uses the same 195/60R15 radial tire size as the core fitment. That keeps selection simple, with the real decision centered on appearance, brand, and whether the car is being kept visually understated or given a more distinctive sidewall treatment.
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 Mitsubishi Galant Tires for Sale
Available 195/60R15 choices include BFGoodrich and Michelin radials, with blackwall, raised white letter, redline, and wide whitewall presentations. The product grid is useful for comparing tire series, rim-width compatibility, and the overall look each tire gives a 1988 Mitsubishi Galant.
Owners of a 1988 Mitsubishi Galant usually want clear answers on the 195/60R15 size, 15-inch rim fitment, available radial styles, and what to inspect before putting a low-use older car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1988 Mitsubishi Galant?
The 1988 Mitsubishi Galant uses a 195/60R15 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for this vehicle, and the covered Galant Sigma sub-model uses the same size, so the buyer is not sorting through multiple original tire sizes for this application.
The practical next step is confirming that the car still has the correct 15-inch wheels and has not been changed to a different diameter over the years. Once the wheel size is confirmed, selection usually comes down to sidewall style, brand, and whether the car is being kept in a restrained stock-looking presentation or a more customized period-style look.
What size rim does a 1988 Mitsubishi Galant use?
The primary tire fitment for the 1988 Mitsubishi Galant is built around a 15-inch rim. The 195/60R15 size is a radial tire sized for that wheel diameter, so the wheel itself needs to remain a 15-inch unit for this fitment to make sense.
Wheel diameter should be checked before focusing on tread style or sidewall appearance, especially on an older imported sedan that may have seen aftermarket wheel changes. It is also useful to confirm actual wheel width, since available 195/60R15 products include rim-width guidance and that can affect how comfortably a given tire works with the car’s current setup.
Does the 1988 Mitsubishi Galant Sigma use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1988 Mitsubishi Galant Sigma uses the same 195/60R15 radial tire size as the core 1988 Mitsubishi Galant fitment. That keeps the search fairly simple because there is no separate primary tire size to sort out for the covered Sigma application.
Even with shared fitment, it is still worth checking the actual wheels on the car before choosing a tire. A Sigma that has been updated with different wheels, altered ride height, or non-original suspension parts may need closer attention to wheel width and clearance, even though the original size itself remains straightforward.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 195/60R15 tire for a 1988 Mitsubishi Galant?
Start with the basics: the correct size is 195/60R15, the construction is radial, and the wheel diameter is 15 inches. After that, the biggest differences are brand, tire series, sidewall appearance, and wheel-width compatibility, since this size is offered in both understated and more visually distinctive presentations.
A blackwall touring-style tire suits a cleaner everyday look, while RWL, redline, or wide whitewall options change the car’s personality noticeably. It also helps to compare load figures where given, along with the wheel-width range for each product, so the selected tire matches both the intended appearance and the actual wheel setup on the car.
What sidewall styles are available for 1988 Mitsubishi Galant tires?
The available 195/60R15 tires for a 1988 Mitsubishi Galant include several sidewall styles: blackwall, RWL, redline, and wide whitewall. That is a broad spread for this size and gives the car very different visual directions even though the basic fitment remains the same.
Blackwall is the most understated choice and keeps the focus on the wheel and overall body lines. Raised white letters add a sportier late-1980s look, while redline and wide whitewall options move the car toward a more personalized or restoration-inspired presentation, so the right choice depends on whether the Galant is being preserved, customized, or simply enjoyed as a distinctive driver.
What brands offer tires for the 1988 Mitsubishi Galant?
Available 195/60R15 tires for the 1988 Mitsubishi Galant come from BFGoodrich and Michelin. Within those brands, the available series include BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial, BFGoodrich Radial T/A, and Michelin Primacy 3, which gives the buyer a mix of appearance-focused and more conventional modern radial choices.
The best way to use that brand variety is to compare what each tire is trying to deliver rather than focusing on the name alone. Some choices emphasize a traditional custom look through the sidewall, while others stay cleaner and more contemporary, so the final decision should match the car’s wheels, the owner’s visual goal, and the way the Galant is actually used.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1988 Mitsubishi Galant?
A period-style 1988 Mitsubishi Galant still starts with the correct 195/60R15 radial size, then branches into the look you want the car to project. Blackwall keeps the appearance restrained, while BFGoodrich options in RWL, redline, or wide whitewall move the car toward a more individualized late-classic presentation.
The most appropriate choice depends on whether the goal is a stock-looking driver or a more personalized car that still respects the era. When exact originality matters, it helps to compare the tire’s sidewall treatment and overall visual character with period photos, marque references, and the specific wheel style already on the vehicle.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1988 Mitsubishi Galant?
On a 1988 Mitsubishi Galant, construction is less of a visual dividing line than it is on earlier collector cars because the primary fitment is already radial. The appearance difference comes more from the sidewall treatment and tire series than from choosing between bias-ply and radial construction.
That makes details such as blackwall, raised white letters, redline, or wide whitewall especially important on a restored or carefully presented car. Even with the same 195/60R15 size, those choices can make the Galant look conservative, sporty, or custom, so the tire should support the wheel design and the era-specific look the restoration is aiming for.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1988 Mitsubishi Galant?
Yes. A 1988 Mitsubishi Galant may originally use 195/60R15 on a 15-inch wheel, but aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension changes, or altered ride height can change how comfortably that size works on the car. Fitment on an older vehicle should never be judged by size marking alone.
Wheel diameter is only the starting point. It is smart to inspect actual wheel width, tire-to-fender space, and steering clearance before choosing a replacement, especially if the car has sat for years or passed through multiple owners. A Galant with modified wheels can still use the same labeled size, but the setup should be verified carefully.
What should I inspect before driving a 1988 Mitsubishi Galant on new tires?
Before putting a 1988 Mitsubishi Galant back into regular use, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the wheel size, and make sure the tires are mounted to suitable rims. It is also important to look over the suspension and steering components, since worn parts can affect how any new 195/60R15 tire behaves on the road.
Tire condition checks should continue after installation. Watch for proper air retention, uneven wear, rubbing during full steering travel, and any vibration once the car is driven. An older sedan that has spent time parked can reveal issues only after it is moving again, so a cautious first road test is a better approach than assuming the job ends at mounting.
How should 195/60R15 tires on a collector 1988 Mitsubishi Galant be maintained?
Collector-car tire maintenance starts with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and attention to aging even if tread depth still looks good. On a 1988 Mitsubishi Galant, 195/60R15 tires should also be watched for sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, flat spotting after storage, and any signs of slow air loss.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a low-use car. Keeping the Galant away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving the car occasionally can reduce long-term flat spotting. Pre-drive checks are wise after extended storage, particularly if the car is about to go on a longer highway run.
