The 1988 Plymouth Reliant sits in the final years of Chrysler's K-car era, a practical front-wheel-drive sedan and wagon that helped define mainstream American transportation in the 1980s. Today, surviving Reliants are often preserved either as honest originals or as low-mileage survivors from a distinctly transitional period in tire design. For this exact model year, the tire decision centers on two radial sizes, 175/80R13 and 185/70R14, and the wheel diameter on the car matters just as much as the size itself. Available choices range from blackwall radials to narrow and wide whitewall styles, depending on the size. That makes it important to balance appearance, wheel fitment, and intended road use before choosing a replacement set.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1988 Plymouth Reliant
The 1988 Plymouth Reliant uses two primary tire sizes, and the right one depends first on the exact sub-model and the wheel diameter on the car. One fitment uses a 13-inch rim and the other uses a 14-inch rim, so confirming the actual wheel size is the first step before comparing sidewall style, brand, or series.
175/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 175 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1988 Plymouth Reliant, this size suits a traditional passenger-car radial setup with a taller sidewall look than the 14-inch alternative. Available choices include Maxxis and BFGoodrich options, with both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall presentations. This size is worth considering when maintaining the 13-inch wheel setup and when sidewall appearance is part of the decision.
185/70R14 is a metric radial size that uses a 185-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. For the 1988 Plymouth Reliant, it represents the 14-inch wheel fitment and brings a broader mix of touring and classic-style radial choices. BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein all appear in this size, with blackwall and wide whitewall options depending on the tire series. It is the size to evaluate when the car is equipped with 14-inch wheels and the goal is to compare brand character, appearance, and wheel compatibility.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1988 Plymouth Reliant because tire size is not completely uniform across the range. The wagon stays with one 14-inch radial fitment, while the America sedan can be found with either of the two primary sizes, making wheel confirmation especially important.
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1988 Plymouth Reliant America
The 1988 Plymouth Reliant America can use either the 175/80R13 radial or the 185/70R14 radial, depending on the wheel setup on the car. That means replacement selection starts with confirming whether the car carries 13-inch or 14-inch rims before narrowing choices by brand, sidewall style, or tire series.
The 1988 Plymouth Reliant America Wagon uses the 185/70R14 radial fitment. That makes the tire search more straightforward, with the main decision shifting toward blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, available brands, and checking wheel width compatibility on the existing 14-inch rims.
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 Reliant Tires for Sale
Available 1988 Plymouth Reliant tires center on radial choices in 175/80R13 and 185/70R14, with brands including Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Depending on size, the comparison points include blackwall or whitewall styling, tire series, and rim-width compatibility.
Common 1988 Plymouth Reliant tire questions usually come down to size identification, 13-inch versus 14-inch rim fitment, sidewall style choices, and how to inspect an older survivor before putting new tires into regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1988 Plymouth Reliant?
The 1988 Plymouth Reliant uses two primary radial tire sizes: 175/80R13 and 185/70R14. The correct size depends on the sub-model and, just as importantly, the wheel diameter currently on the car. The Reliant America can use either size, while the Reliant America Wagon uses 185/70R14.
The practical first step is to confirm whether the car has 13-inch or 14-inch rims before choosing a tire. Once that is established, the decision shifts to the type of radial tire you want, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall styling where available in the correct size.
What size rim does a 1988 Plymouth Reliant use?
A 1988 Plymouth Reliant can use either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the exact fitment. The 175/80R13 tire uses a 13-inch rim, while the 185/70R14 tire uses a 14-inch rim. Both are radial fitments, but they are tied to different wheel diameters.
That makes wheel confirmation essential before ordering tires, especially on cars that may have changed hands or been updated over time. Looking only at the model year is not enough when both rim diameters were used, so checking the current wheels on the car prevents a simple but costly sizing mistake.
Do all 1988 Plymouth Reliant sub-models use the same tire size?
No, 1988 Plymouth Reliant sub-models do not all use the same tire size. The Reliant America can be equipped with either 175/80R13 or 185/70R14, while the Reliant America Wagon uses 185/70R14. The difference is tied to the wheel and tire setup rather than a single universal size across the range.
For a buyer, that means the sub-model name helps narrow the search, but the wheel diameter still deserves a direct check on the car itself. A wagon fitment is more straightforward, while an America sedan needs closer attention so the replacement tire matches the existing rim and overall setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1988 Plymouth Reliant tire?
Start with the correct primary size for the car: 175/80R13 on a 13-inch rim or 185/70R14 on a 14-inch rim. After that, compare the tire's construction, which is radial in both cases, along with sidewall style, tire series, and rim-width compatibility for the wheel already on the vehicle.
The right choice depends on how the Reliant is used and how you want it to look. A survivor-style car may call for a whitewall presentation, while a more understated driver may suit a blackwall radial, especially in 185/70R14 where the product range is broader.
What sidewall styles are available for 1988 Plymouth Reliant tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1988 Plymouth Reliant include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on the tire size. In 175/80R13, the available choices include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options, while 185/70R14 includes blackwall and wide whitewall selections.
That gives the Reliant owner some flexibility in presentation without leaving the correct size range. Whitewalls can lean toward a more period-style look for an original-appearing car, while blackwalls create a simpler late-1980s driver appearance, especially if the car is being maintained for regular road use.
What brands offer tires for the 1988 Plymouth Reliant?
Tires for the 1988 Plymouth Reliant are available from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein across the two applicable sizes. Brand variety is broader in 185/70R14, while 175/80R13 centers on Maxxis and BFGoodrich whitewall options.
Brand choice should come after confirming the correct size and wheel diameter, not before. Once fitment is established, compare each brand's available tire series, sidewall style, and rim-width range so the tire suits the car's appearance goals and the wheel already mounted on the vehicle.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1988 Plymouth Reliant?
A period-style 1988 Plymouth Reliant tire starts with the correct radial size for the car's wheel setup, either 175/80R13 or 185/70R14. From there, the visual character comes from the available sidewall treatment and tire series, with whitewall options available in both sizes and blackwall choices offered in 185/70R14.
For a survivor or restoration-oriented car, the goal is usually to match the overall look of the vehicle rather than chase a generic modern replacement. When exact originality matters, compare the tire's sidewall treatment and overall presentation against marque references, period photos, or other vehicle-specific documentation.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1988 Plymouth Reliant?
On a 1988 Plymouth Reliant, tire construction is more straightforward because the primary fitments are radial. That means the visual difference usually comes less from bias-ply versus radial choices and more from size, sidewall height, and whether the tire is finished as a blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall.
Appearance can still change noticeably between the two approved sizes because the car may sit on either a 13-inch or 14-inch wheel package. Keeping the correct wheel diameter and matching the sidewall style to the character of the car will usually matter more than chasing a construction-based visual difference.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1988 Plymouth Reliant?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1988 Plymouth Reliant, especially because the car may already use either a 13-inch or 14-inch wheel setup. Aftermarket wheels, wheel-width changes, altered offsets, suspension work, or body changes can all influence how a 175/80R13 or 185/70R14 tire sits in the wheel opening.
A Reliant that has been lowered, updated, or fitted with non-original wheels should be checked carefully before choosing replacements. Verifying wheel diameter, wheel width, and visible clearance at the fender and steering stops helps ensure the new tires match the car's actual configuration rather than only the model designation.
What should I inspect before driving a 1988 Plymouth Reliant on new tires?
Before driving a 1988 Plymouth Reliant on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and sound condition, and make sure the replacement size matches the setup on the car. It is also wise to check valve stems, wheel hardware, visible suspension wear, and any signs that the old tires were rubbing or wearing unevenly.
An older Reliant that has spent long periods parked deserves a careful once-over beyond the tires themselves. Checking air pressure, steering response, brake operation, and general clearance after installation helps confirm that the car is ready for road use instead of simply being fitted with fresh rubber.
How should tires on a collector 1988 Plymouth Reliant be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1988 Plymouth Reliant should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and attention to age-related condition as well as tread wear. Even on a low-mileage car, sidewall cracking, flat spotting from storage, bulges, cuts, and recurring air loss deserve prompt attention.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on an older survivor. Keeping the car away from prolonged sun, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, while occasional movement and routine inspections make it easier to catch problems before a weekend drive or longer outing.
