The 1988 Mitsubishi Precis came from the era when small imported hatchbacks and sedans were valued for efficiency, tidy dimensions, and straightforward everyday usability. That makes tire fitment especially important today, because a lightweight car like the Precis depends on the right size to preserve its intended stance and road manners. This model uses two primary 13-inch radial sizes, 155/80R13 and 175/70R13, with size choice tied to the exact sub-model. Available options range from blackwall to narrow and wide whitewall styles, depending on size. For an owner sorting out replacement tires, the key is confirming the specific trim and wheel setup before choosing appearance and product style.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1988 Mitsubishi Precis
The 1988 Mitsubishi Precis uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model. Both are radial tires for 13-inch wheels, so the first step is confirming whether the car is a Base, LS, RS, or aluminum-wheel variant. Once the sub-model is confirmed, the decision shifts to the tire's appearance, brand, and intended use rather than wheel diameter.
Fit(s): Base, RS, RS w/aluminum wheels, and w/aluminum wheels
Construction: Radial|Rim: 13 in
155/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 155 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1988 Mitsubishi Precis, this size suits the trim levels that use the narrower factory-style fitment on a 13-inch wheel. Product choices in this size include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel, with blackwall not represented but narrow and wide whitewall styles available across several series. It is the size to evaluate when preserving the slimmer original-type footprint matters for the correct sub-model.
175/70R13 is also a metric radial size, with a wider 175-millimeter section width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. On the 1988 Mitsubishi Precis, this size applies to LS configurations, making trim identification more important than wheel diameter alone. The available product choice shown here is an Avon CR6ZZ blackwall, which gives this size a more performance-oriented presentation than the whitewall options found in 155/80R13. It is the size to consider when matching an LS setup and confirming that the car still carries the wheel and suspension combination intended for that fitment.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1988 Mitsubishi Precis because tire size is not the same across the lineup. Most versions use 155/80R13, while LS models step up to 175/70R13, so confirming the exact trim is the first part of choosing the right replacement tire.
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1988 Mitsubishi Precis Base
The 1988 Mitsubishi Precis Base uses the 155/80R13 radial size on a 13-inch wheel. That keeps the tire search focused on choosing among the available whitewall-style options and confirming that the car still has the same wheel setup it was intended to use.
The 1988 Mitsubishi Precis LS uses the wider 175/70R13 radial size rather than the narrower fitment found on most other trims. Tire selection here is more about matching the LS-specific size and reviewing the available blackwall product choice for wheel compatibility and intended use.
The 1988 Mitsubishi Precis LS w/aluminum wheels also uses 175/70R13 radial tires on a 13-inch rim. That means the aluminum-wheel version follows the same primary fitment path as the standard LS, with attention centered on wheel condition, width, and correct size retention.
The 1988 Mitsubishi Precis RS uses the 155/80R13 radial tire size. For this sub-model, the main decision is not between multiple primary sizes, but between available brands and whitewall presentations that suit the car's appearance and road-use goals.
The 1988 Mitsubishi Precis RS w/aluminum wheels remains on the 155/80R13 radial fitment. Tire selection should stay centered on that size while also confirming the actual wheel width and overall condition, especially if the car has had wheels changed over the years.
The 1988 Mitsubishi Precis w/aluminum wheels uses 155/80R13 radial tires. That keeps fitment straightforward as long as the car still has the expected 13-inch wheel setup, leaving the owner to compare available brands, whitewall styles, and rim-width compatibility.
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 Precis Tires for Sale
Available 1988 Mitsubishi Precis tire choices center on radial construction in 155/80R13 and 175/70R13. The 155/80R13 selection spans Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel with narrow and wide whitewall styles, while 175/70R13 is represented by an Avon CR6ZZ blackwall.
Owners of a 1988 Mitsubishi Precis usually need to sort out the right trim-specific tire size first, then compare radial options, sidewall style, rim fitment, and basic road-use checks before putting the car back into regular service.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1988 Mitsubishi Precis?
A 1988 Mitsubishi Precis uses either 155/80R13 or 175/70R13, depending on the sub-model. Base, RS, RS w/aluminum wheels, and the aluminum-wheel Precis use 155/80R13, while LS and LS w/aluminum wheels use 175/70R13. Both are radial tire sizes for 13-inch rims.
The important next step is confirming the exact trim and checking what is actually on the car now. Older compact cars are often changed over time, so matching the current wheel diameter and the intended sub-model fitment helps avoid choosing a tire that belongs to a different Precis configuration.
What size rim does a 1988 Mitsubishi Precis use?
The 1988 Mitsubishi Precis uses a 13-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. That is true whether the car takes 155/80R13 or 175/70R13, so wheel diameter remains consistent even though the tire width and profile vary by sub-model.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, so it should not be the only measurement checked before replacement. Wheel width still matters, especially if the car has aftermarket or replacement wheels, because a tire can share the same 13-inch diameter and still be a poor match for the wheel or trim-specific setup.
Do all 1988 Mitsubishi Precis sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 1988 Mitsubishi Precis does not use one tire size across every sub-model. Most versions use 155/80R13, but the LS and LS w/aluminum wheels use 175/70R13. All of the covered fitments are radial tires mounted on 13-inch wheels.
That distinction matters because the correct choice starts with trim identification, not just year and model name. A Precis that has changed hands several times may no longer wear the size intended for its sub-model, so checking the trim, wheel setup, and the clearance around the car's existing tires is a smart step before ordering replacements.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 155/80R13 tire for a 1988 Mitsubishi Precis?
A 155/80R13 tire for a 1988 Mitsubishi Precis should first match the sub-models that use that size, then be compared by rim-width compatibility, sidewall style, brand, and tire series. In this size, available choices include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel, with narrow and wide whitewall presentations represented.
The real selection question is how the car will be used and how it should look. A whitewall treatment can shift the car toward a more classic presentation, while rim-width range, weight, and load figures are worth comparing against the actual wheel and usage plan before settling on a specific 155/80R13 product.
What sidewall styles are available for 1988 Mitsubishi Precis tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size chosen for the 1988 Mitsubishi Precis. In 155/80R13, the available options include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles, while the 175/70R13 offering shown here is a blackwall. That gives the smaller fitment more appearance variety than the LS size.
Appearance should still follow fitment, not replace it. Once the correct trim-specific size is confirmed, sidewall choice becomes a useful way to shape the car's visual character, especially on a restored or well-kept compact. It also helps to check that the wheel width and intended driving use line up with the specific tire being considered.
What brands offer tires for the 1988 Mitsubishi Precis?
Tires for the 1988 Mitsubishi Precis are available from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Tornel, and Avon, depending on the size. The 155/80R13 fitment has the broadest brand spread, while the 175/70R13 fitment shown here is represented by Avon in the CR6ZZ series.
Brand alone should not decide the purchase, because each option also brings its own sidewall treatment, series character, and wheel-width specification. The best way to narrow the field is to confirm the correct size for the sub-model first, then compare the details that affect appearance, wheel compatibility, and the kind of road use the car will actually see.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1988 Mitsubishi Precis?
A period-style 1988 Mitsubishi Precis starts with using the correct trim-specific size, either 155/80R13 or 175/70R13. After that, the most appearance-sensitive choices are found in 155/80R13, where narrow and wide whitewall radial options are available alongside several classic-oriented tire series.
That does not mean every whitewall option is automatically right for every restoration goal. Owners seeking a very specific original-era presentation should compare the tire's sidewall treatment with period photos, brochures, or marque references, then balance that appearance target against the actual wheel setup and the way the car will be driven.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1988 Mitsubishi Precis restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1988 Mitsubishi Precis restoration because the car's proportions are small enough that the wrong width or profile can noticeably change its stance and overall look. Keeping the proper sub-model size also helps preserve the visual relationship between the tire, wheel opening, and 13-inch wheel.
Fitment accuracy also affects how convincing the finished car feels in use. Even when staying with radial construction, it is worth checking the tire's sidewall style, wheel-width compatibility, and general profile before purchase, especially if the car has replacement wheels or has been sitting long enough that earlier tire choices may not reflect the intended setup.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1988 Mitsubishi Precis?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1988 Mitsubishi Precis even though both primary sizes use a 13-inch rim. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension lowering, or body repairs can influence how either 155/80R13 or 175/70R13 sits in the wheel opening and clears during steering travel.
That is why replacement should start with the car as it exists now, not only with the original trim designation. Measuring the current wheels and checking clearance at the fenders and suspension points can prevent mistakes, particularly on older cars that may have had wheel swaps, alignment changes, or other modifications over time.
What should I inspect before driving a 1988 Mitsubishi Precis on new tires?
Before driving a 1988 Mitsubishi Precis on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the correct sub-model, and make sure the tires are mounted on compatible 13-inch rims. It is also wise to check valve stems, lug hardware, and visible clearance around the suspension and fenders.
A road-ready check should include inflation pressure, even tread seating, and a brief look for rubbing during full steering lock. On a lightly used older car, the condition of shocks, bushings, wheel bearings, and alignment can matter almost as much as the tire itself, because those components influence how the new tires behave once the car is moving.
How should tires on a collector 1988 Mitsubishi Precis be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1988 Mitsubishi Precis should be inspected regularly for pressure loss, tread wear, cracking, bulges, and signs of aging, even if the car is driven only occasionally. A small, light car can still develop flat spotting or sidewall deterioration when it sits for long periods without attention.
Good maintenance also means storing the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors or welders. Moving the car periodically, keeping inflation consistent, and reviewing the tires before each longer drive can help preserve both appearance and usability, whether the Precis wears whitewall 155/80R13s or blackwall 175/70R13s.
