The 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia came from an era when compact sedans were balancing practical daily use with sharper styling and more specialized trim distinctions. By this point, the Tredia had established a clear split between standard models and the more performance-oriented Turbo configuration, and that matters directly when choosing tires. A 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia uses radial tires, but fitment is not one-size-fits-all: most sub-models use 185/70R13, while Turbo models use 195/60R14. That creates real choice in sidewall style, brand, and tire series, especially in the 13-inch size. The right selection starts with confirming the exact sub-model and wheel diameter before weighing appearance, driving use, and overall presentation.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia
Two tire sizes apply to the 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia, and the correct one depends on the sub-model and wheel diameter. Most versions use a 13-inch radial tire, while Turbo models use a 14-inch radial tire, so the first step is confirming whether the car is an L, LS, or Turbo and verifying the wheel size currently on the car before comparing specific tire choices.
Fit(s): L, L w/aluminum wheels, LS, and LS w/aluminum wheels
Construction: Radial|Rim: 13 in
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 Mitsubishi Tredia, this size serves the non-Turbo fitment and keeps the car in its original 13-inch wheel format. Available choices include blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall designs from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein across several tire series. This size makes the most sense when the car retains its standard wheel setup and the goal is to choose between traditional appearance cues and more understated blackwall radial options.
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 Mitsubishi Tredia, this size belongs to the Turbo fitment and reflects a different wheel and tire package than the other sub-models. The available product assortment here centers on a blackwall Michelin option, keeping the choice straightforward but still requiring attention to the correct wheel diameter. This size should be evaluated specifically for Turbo models or cars already confirmed to have the proper 14-inch wheel setup.
Sub-model fitment on the 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia is split cleanly between the standard trims and the Turbo. Checking the exact sub-model matters because the car uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch radial tire package, and that changes the starting point for tire selection.
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1988 Mitsubishi Tredia L
The 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia L uses the 185/70R13 radial fitment. That keeps the tire decision focused on selecting the right 13-inch radial style, brand, and overall appearance for the car’s intended use.
The 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia L w/aluminum wheels also uses the 185/70R13 radial size. Tire choice here centers on the same 13-inch fitment, so the main comparison becomes sidewall treatment, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility.
The 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia LS uses the 185/70R13 radial tire size. That gives the owner a broader range of 13-inch product choices, including blackwall and more restoration-minded sidewall presentations.
The 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia LS w/aluminum wheels remains on the 185/70R13 radial fitment. Selection is less about finding a different size and more about matching the tire’s look and specifications to the car’s wheel setup and visual style.
The 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia Turbo uses the 195/60R14 radial size rather than the 13-inch fitment used on other trims. That means tire selection starts with confirming the 14-inch wheel package before comparing the available blackwall radial option.
The 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia Turbo w/aluminum wheels also uses 195/60R14 radial tires. The important point is staying with the correct 14-inch fitment and verifying the current wheel setup if the car has been changed over time.
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 Tredia Tires for Sale
Available 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia tires vary most in the 185/70R13 fitment, where BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein offer multiple series and sidewall styles including blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall. The 195/60R14 Turbo fitment is a simpler blackwall radial comparison.
Tire questions for a 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia usually come down to sub-model fitment, 13-inch versus 14-inch wheels, radial tire selection, appearance choices, and the condition checks worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia?
A 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia uses either 185/70R13 or 195/60R14, depending on the sub-model. L and LS versions, including those with aluminum wheels, use 185/70R13 radial tires. Turbo models, including Turbo versions with aluminum wheels, use 195/60R14 radial tires.
The key step is identifying the exact sub-model and confirming the wheel diameter currently on the car. A Tredia that has been modified over the years may not still have its original wheel package, so measuring the wheel and checking the existing tire size helps prevent ordering a tire that matches the model name but not the actual setup.
What size rim does a 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia use?
The 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the version of the car. The 185/70R13 fitment uses a 13-inch wheel, while the 195/60R14 fitment uses a 14-inch wheel. Both are radial tire applications.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before comparing tires because the Tredia does not use one wheel size across every sub-model. Wheel width also matters, especially when comparing among the available 185/70R13 products, since some tires carry specific compatible rim-width ranges that are worth matching to the wheel already on the car.
Do all 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia does not use one tire size across all sub-models. L and LS models use 185/70R13, while Turbo models use 195/60R14. That split also means the car appears with either a 13-inch or 14-inch wheel, depending on the specific version.
This matters because tire selection starts with the sub-model, not just the year and model name. A standard Tredia and a Tredia Turbo require different fitment paths, so the owner should verify the trim level, check the installed wheels, and compare the current tire size before moving on to brand, sidewall style, or tire-series preferences.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 185/70R13 tire for a 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia?
A 185/70R13 tire for a 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia should first match the correct non-Turbo sub-model fitment and 13-inch wheel diameter. After that, the main differences are radial tire series, sidewall style, brand, and wheel-width compatibility. This size has the broadest range of choices on the Tredia page.
Selection depends on how the car is used and how it should look. A blackwall can keep the presentation understated, while redline or wide whitewall options create a more styled appearance. Comparing rim-width ranges, weight, and any stated load figures can also help narrow the field without turning the decision into a simple brand-name choice.
What sidewall styles are available for 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia tires?
Sidewall style varies by tire size on the 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia. In 185/70R13, available styles include blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall. In 195/60R14, the available option is a blackwall radial, which gives the Turbo fitment a more straightforward visual presentation.
That makes the 13-inch fitment the place where appearance becomes a bigger part of the buying decision. Owners keeping a stock-looking sedan often lean toward blackwall, while a redline or wide whitewall can shift the car toward a more distinctive period-style look. The right choice still has to begin with the correct size and wheel diameter for the sub-model.
What brands offer tires for the 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia?
Tires for the 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia are available from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Brand variety is concentrated in the 185/70R13 fitment, while the 195/60R14 Turbo size has a Michelin offering. Those brands appear across several different radial tire series and sidewall treatments.
Brand should be part of the comparison, but not the only factor. It helps to narrow the choice by starting with the correct Tredia sub-model, then comparing sidewall presentation, wheel compatibility, and the character of the tire series itself. That approach is more useful than assuming every tire in the right nominal size serves the same goal.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia?
A period-style 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia tire choice starts with the correct fitment for the sub-model: 185/70R13 for L and LS versions, or 195/60R14 for Turbo models. Within that fitment, the strongest appearance choices are found in 185/70R13, where blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall radials are available.
The right direction depends on whether the goal is a restrained late-1980s look or a more stylized presentation. Exact originality can vary by market, trim, and owner preference, so buyers pursuing a highly exact restoration should compare tire appearance against marque references, period photos, or other vehicle-specific documentation before settling on a sidewall treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia?
Tire construction is simple on a 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia because the primary fitments are radial. That means the visual difference in a restoration-oriented selection comes less from bias-ply versus radial and more from details such as sidewall style, tread presentation, and the overall proportions of the correct 13-inch or 14-inch fitment.
On this car, the most noticeable appearance shift usually comes from choosing blackwall, redline, or wide whitewall in the 185/70R13 size. Keeping the proper sub-model fitment is important because a Turbo on 14-inch tires presents differently than an L or LS on 13-inch tires, even before sidewall styling enters the picture.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia even when the tire size appears close to the original specification. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered offset, suspension lowering, or body modifications can all change how a 185/70R13 or 195/60R14 tire sits in the wheel opening.
A modified car should be checked at full steering lock and through suspension movement before settling on a tire choice. Wheel diameter is especially important on the Tredia because factory fitment already varies between 13-inch and 14-inch packages, so assuming the car still matches its original sub-model specification can lead to avoidable fitment problems.
What should I inspect before driving a 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia on new tires?
Before driving a 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the wheel diameter matches the intended tire size, and make sure the tires are inflated appropriately for the application. It also helps to check valve stems, lug hardware, and general suspension condition before putting the car back into regular road use.
A short test drive should include attention to steering feel, any rubbing during turns, and signs of vibration that could point to wheel or mounting issues. On an older car, it is also wise to look over brake components and alignment condition, since worn chassis parts can affect how even a correctly sized new tire behaves on the road.
How often should tires on a 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia be inspected?
Tires on a 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia should be inspected regularly, especially if the car sees seasonal or occasional use. A visual check before drives and a more thorough inspection at routine service intervals can catch tread wear, cracking, bulges, cuts, or gradual air loss before those issues become more serious.
Collector-era and lightly used cars often age their tires before they wear them out, so condition matters as much as remaining tread. Pressure should be monitored consistently, and the car should be stored away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources when possible. Those habits help protect both blackwall and specialty sidewall tires over time.
