The 1988 Subaru RX sits in a distinctive moment for Subaru performance, combining compact eighties styling with the turbocharged, all-weather character that gave the marque a strong enthusiast following. Buyers looking at this exact car are usually balancing road manners, era-appropriate appearance, and the realities of keeping a specialized late-classic Subaru on the road. The 1988 Subaru RX uses a single primary tire size, 185/70R13, in radial construction on a 13-inch rim. Within that size, choices range from traditional blackwall performance-oriented radials to Silvertown Radial options with redline or wide whitewall styling. The key is matching the tire to the car's wheel setup, intended use, and visual direction.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1988 Subaru RX
The 1988 Subaru RX uses one primary tire size: 185/70R13. It is a radial fitment on a 13-inch rim, and the covered RX Turbo sub-model uses the same size, so the main decision is not between multiple factory-size options but between the available tire series, sidewall styles, and overall character you want from the car.
185/70R13 is a metric radial size in which 185 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1988 Subaru RX, this is the core fitment size and keeps the tire selection centered on modern radial construction rather than a bias-ply-versus-radial decision. Available choices include blackwall designs from Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, along with BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial versions in redline and wide whitewall form. That makes this size suitable for buyers choosing between a sportier road-going presentation and a more customized or restoration-influenced look.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the covered 1988 Subaru RX range. The RX Turbo uses the same primary tire size, so the main task is confirming the wheel setup and then choosing the tire style and series that best suits the car.
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1988 Subaru RX Turbo
The 1988 Subaru RX Turbo uses the same 185/70R13 radial tire size as the broader 1988 Subaru RX fitment. That keeps tire selection focused on comparing blackwall, redline, or wide whitewall options and making sure the 13-inch wheel and rim-width range suit the tire being considered.
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 Subaru RX Tires for Sale
Available 185/70R13 tires for the 1988 Subaru RX span several brands, including BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Buyers can compare blackwall performance-style radials alongside Silvertown Radial options with redline or wide whitewall sidewalls, plus differences in tire series and rim-width compatibility.
Common 1988 Subaru RX tire questions usually come down to confirming the 185/70R13 fitment, understanding 13-inch rim requirements, comparing available radial tire styles, and checking wheel, suspension, and tire condition before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1988 Subaru RX?
The 1988 Subaru RX uses a 185/70R13 radial tire. That size is the primary fitment for this model and keeps the search focused on one modern metric radial size rather than sorting through multiple original-size options.
That simplicity makes wheel confirmation especially important. A 185/70R13 is meant for a 13-inch rim, so the next step is checking that the car still has the correct wheel diameter and an appropriate wheel width for the tire being considered, especially if the RX has been modified or fitted with aftermarket wheels over the years.
What size rim does a 1988 Subaru RX use?
The 1988 Subaru RX uses a 13-inch rim with its 185/70R13 tire size. Product offerings in this size also show usable rim-width ranges that commonly fall between about 4.5 and 6.5 inches, depending on the specific tire series.
Rim diameter is non-negotiable, but rim width still matters when comparing tires in the same size. Before choosing a tire, check the actual wheel on the car and compare it with the tire's approved rim-width range so the sidewall shape, tread contact, and overall fitment remain appropriate for road use.
Does the 1988 Subaru RX Turbo use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1988 Subaru RX Turbo fitment uses the same 185/70R13 radial tire size. That means the Turbo sub-model does not introduce a separate primary size within this application.
Even with shared size fitment, the best tire choice can still vary with the car's current setup and intended use. A stock-style street car may call for a different look than a period-inspired build, so it helps to confirm the wheel dimensions and then decide whether blackwall, redline, or wide whitewall styling suits the vehicle.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 185/70R13 tire for a 1988 Subaru RX?
Start with the correct size and construction: 185/70R13 radial on a 13-inch wheel. From there, compare each tire's rim-width range, load figure where stated, sidewall treatment, and overall tire series so the choice matches how the RX will actually be driven and presented.
A blackwall radial usually suits an understated road-going look, while a redline or wide whitewall changes the car's visual character significantly. Checking the actual wheel width on the car is just as important, because two tires in the same nominal size can still have different approved wheel ranges and slightly different fitment expectations.
What sidewall styles are available for 1988 Subaru RX tires?
The available 185/70R13 tire choices include blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Blackwall options appear across several tire series, while BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial versions add a more appearance-driven redline or 2-inch whitewall presentation.
Sidewall style does not change the primary fitment size, but it has a major effect on how the car reads visually. A blackwall generally keeps the look closer to an understated late-eighties performance car, while redline or wide whitewall styling can push the RX toward a customized or more overtly period-themed appearance.
What brands offer tires for the 1988 Subaru RX?
185/70R13 tires for the 1988 Subaru RX are available from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. The choices span Silvertown Radial, CR6ZZ, SP Sport Aquajet, Sport Classic, Michelin XDX-B, and Sprint Classic series.
Brand alone should not be the only filter. It helps to compare the tire series, sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, and stated load details where available so the final choice supports both the car's visual direction and the way it will be used on the road.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1988 Subaru RX?
A period-style 1988 Subaru RX starts with the correct 185/70R13 radial size and then narrows the decision to the tire's overall look. Blackwall options usually preserve a more understated late-eighties presentation, while BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial redline or wide whitewall versions create a stronger styling statement.
The best choice depends on whether the goal is a road-car appearance, a customized look, or a restoration-oriented presentation that still stays within the proper size. Exact originality questions should be checked against marque-specific references and period photography, since sidewall treatment alone should not be assumed to represent factory delivery.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1988 Subaru RX?
Construction is straightforward on the 1988 Subaru RX because the primary fitment is already radial. That means the visible appearance difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial shape and more from the chosen tire series, sidewall styling, and how performance-oriented or traditional the tread and profile look.
For a restoration-minded car, the size still has to lead the decision. Once 185/70R13 and 13-inch wheel compatibility are confirmed, the sidewall becomes the main styling tool, with blackwall giving the most restrained presentation and redline or wide whitewall steering the RX toward a more individualized period-style finish.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1988 Subaru RX?
Yes. Even though the primary size is 185/70R13, modifications can change whether a particular tire remains a sensible choice. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, and body or fender work can all affect clearance and the wheel dimensions the tire must work with.
That matters most on older enthusiast cars that may no longer be on their original wheels. Check the actual rim diameter and width, then inspect steering and fender clearance at full lock and through suspension travel so the selected tire matches the car as it sits now, not simply how it left the showroom.
What should I inspect before driving a 1988 Subaru RX on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size and wheel diameter match, and make sure the tires are inflated properly. It also helps to look over valve stems, lug hardware, alignment condition, and basic suspension wear points that could affect how the new tires behave.
Older performance-oriented cars often reveal unrelated issues once fresh tires are installed. Uneven ride height, worn bushings, loose steering parts, or poor alignment can shorten tire life quickly, so a careful once-over helps the new 185/70R13 tires deliver stable tracking, even wear, and predictable road manners from the first miles.
How should 185/70R13 tires on a collector 1988 Subaru RX be maintained?
Collector-car tires should be checked regularly for air loss, uneven tread wear, cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of age even if the car is driven only occasionally. The 185/70R13 tires on a 1988 Subaru RX also benefit from proper storage away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources.
Low annual mileage can make a tire look better than it actually is, so condition matters as much as tread depth. Routine pressure checks, periodic visual inspections, and moving the car often enough to avoid long-term flat spotting all help preserve ride quality and road readiness between drives.
