The 1988 Plymouth Horizon comes from the closing years of Chrysler’s long-running front-wheel-drive compact era, a period when practical hatchbacks and economy cars were valued for simple packaging and everyday drivability. For many surviving examples, tire choice is less about chasing multiple factory-era fitments and more about keeping the car’s proportions and road manners in the right range. This model uses a 165/80R13 radial on a 13-inch rim. Available choices in that size include traditional whitewall treatments from BFGoodrich and Maxxis. The key decision is usually whether the goal is a clean period-style look, straightforward road use, or both.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1988 Plymouth Horizon
The 1988 Plymouth Horizon uses one primary tire size: 165/80R13. It is a radial fitment on a 13-inch rim, and the Horizon America uses the same size, so the main decision is not choosing among multiple primary fitments but selecting the right tire style within that size and confirming the wheel setup on the car today.
In 165/80R13, the 165 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, the R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. That makes it a modern metric radial size, which matches the Horizon’s primary fitment and keeps the tire choice in a format familiar to later compact-car owners. Available options include BFGoodrich and Maxxis tires with wide whitewall and narrow whitewall presentations in different series. For a restoration-minded Horizon or a clean driver, this size keeps the selection focused on appearance, rim compatibility, and overall condition rather than size substitution.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1988 Plymouth Horizon sub-model. The Horizon America uses the same primary size, so the focus stays on choosing the right 165/80R13 radial and confirming that the car still carries the correct 13-inch wheel setup.
1
1988 Plymouth Horizon America
The 1988 Plymouth Horizon America uses the same 165/80R13 radial fitment as the core model. That keeps tire selection centered on sidewall style, brand, and wheel-width compatibility rather than sorting through multiple size choices.
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 Plymouth Horizon Tires for Sale
Available 165/80R13 choices center on radial whitewall tires from BFGoodrich and Maxxis. The main points of comparison are tire series, wide whitewall versus narrow whitewall appearance, and shared 13-inch rim fitment with a 4.50 to 6.00-inch wheel-width range.
Showing 2 of 2
Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 165/80R13
Owners researching 1988 Plymouth Horizon tires usually need clear answers on the 165/80R13 size, 13-inch wheel fitment, whitewall options, product selection, and the inspection checks that matter before putting a surviving compact back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1988 Plymouth Horizon?
The 1988 Plymouth Horizon uses a 165/80R13 radial tire. That size is the primary fitment for this model, and the covered Horizon America sub-model uses the same size as well, so there is no separate primary tire size to sort through within this application.
That makes the real buying decision much narrower: choose a 165/80R13 tire that suits the car’s intended look and use, then confirm that the car still has the correct 13-inch wheels. On an older Horizon, it is also smart to check whether aftermarket wheels or prior repairs changed the wheel setup before replacing tires by size alone.
What size rim does a 1988 Plymouth Horizon use?
The 1988 Plymouth Horizon tire fitment is built around a 13-inch rim. The 165/80R13 size uses that wheel diameter, and the available products in this application are built for 13-inch wheels with a 4.50 to 6.00-inch rim-width range.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed at the car before ordering tires, especially on a surviving compact that may have had replacement wheels installed over the years. Diameter is only part of the picture, though, so checking actual wheel width and making sure the tire and wheel combination clears the suspension and bodywork remains important.
Does the 1988 Plymouth Horizon America use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1988 Plymouth Horizon America uses the same 165/80R13 radial tire size as the core 1988 Plymouth Horizon application. That keeps sub-model fitment simple, with the same basic tire-size choice across the covered version of the car.
Even with shared sizing, tire selection can still vary by appearance and product line. A Horizon America owner may be deciding between a wide whitewall and a narrow whitewall presentation rather than between different primary sizes, so the next step is usually matching the tire’s style and wheel-width compatibility to the car’s condition and intended use.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165/80R13 tire for a 1988 Plymouth Horizon?
Start with the correct size and construction: 165/80R13 radial on a 13-inch wheel. From there, the meaningful differences are sidewall appearance, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility, since the available options in this application share the same basic size and load specification.
A restoration-minded Horizon may call for the visual character of a whitewall, while a regular driver may simply need a clean, properly sized radial that suits the existing wheel. It also helps to compare the actual wheel width on the car against the tire’s 4.50 to 6.00-inch rim-width range before settling on a final choice.
What sidewall styles are available for 1988 Plymouth Horizon tires?
The available 165/80R13 tires for a 1988 Plymouth Horizon include both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall styles. BFGoodrich offers a 2.25-inch whitewall in the Silvertown Radial series, while Maxxis offers a 0.625-inch whitewall in the Classic Whitewall MA-1 series.
That gives the Horizon owner two distinct visual directions without changing the base tire size. A wider whitewall creates a stronger period-style statement, while a narrower whitewall reads more restrained, so the better choice depends on how original-looking, customized, or understated the finished car is meant to appear.
What brands offer tires for the 1988 Plymouth Horizon?
BFGoodrich and Maxxis both offer 165/80R13 radial tires for the 1988 Plymouth Horizon. In this application, BFGoodrich appears in the Silvertown Radial line, while Maxxis appears in the Classic Whitewall MA-1 line, giving buyers more than one brand and series to compare.
The practical comparison is less about brand ranking and more about which tire presentation suits the car. Looking at sidewall style, confirming the 13-inch wheel and 4.50 to 6.00-inch rim-width range, and considering whether the Horizon is being refreshed for occasional driving or a more appearance-focused restoration will lead to a better choice.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1988 Plymouth Horizon?
A period-style 1988 Plymouth Horizon should stay centered on the original fitment format of a 165/80R13 radial. Within that size, the available choices lean toward whitewall presentations, which can help preserve the visual character of a late-1980s compact without changing the car’s basic tire proportions.
The better match depends on how the car is being finished. A wide whitewall makes a stronger styling statement, while a narrow whitewall looks more restrained, so the decision comes down to the Horizon’s trim presentation and the owner’s restoration goals rather than chasing an unsupported claim of exact factory originality.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1988 Plymouth Horizon?
On a restored 1988 Plymouth Horizon, construction matters visually as much as mechanically because this car uses a radial tire size rather than an earlier bias-ply fitment. Keeping the correct 165/80R13 radial format helps maintain the overall stance and later-model compact look associated with the car.
Appearance differences in this application are driven more by sidewall treatment and tire series than by switching construction type. A restored Horizon will usually look more coherent when the tire size, wheel diameter, and sidewall style all work together, so the tire should be chosen as part of the car’s full exterior presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1988 Plymouth Horizon?
Yes. A 1988 Plymouth Horizon may originally use a 165/80R13 radial on a 13-inch wheel, but modifications can change what needs to be checked before replacing tires. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, brake work, or body repairs can all affect the space available around the tire.
That is why the wheel currently on the car should be measured rather than assumed to match the original setup. Looking at wheel diameter, wheel width, and visible clearance around the strut, fender, and steering components helps prevent ordering a correct-size tire for a car that no longer has a stock wheel-and-suspension combination.
What should I inspect before driving a 1988 Plymouth Horizon on new tires?
Before driving a 1988 Plymouth Horizon on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the 13-inch diameter and proper width, and check that the valve stems and mounting surfaces are in good condition. It also helps to make sure the suspension, steering, and alignment are not compromised by age or wear.
Collector-era compacts often sit for long stretches, so the rest of the tire system deserves attention too. Looking for rubbing marks, uneven wear on the old tires, loose wheel hardware, and signs of air loss gives a clearer picture of whether the car is ready for road use or needs additional chassis work first.
How should 165/80R13 tires on a collector 1988 Plymouth Horizon be maintained?
A collector 1988 Plymouth Horizon on 165/80R13 tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspections, and close attention to age-related deterioration. Even if the car is driven lightly, sidewall cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, and slow air loss can appear long before tread wear becomes the main issue.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on an older Horizon. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, and moving or driving the car occasionally helps avoid long-term stress in one contact patch area. A pre-drive inspection is wise before any longer outing.
