The 1989 Buick Skyhawk came from the final years of Buick’s compact front-wheel-drive lineup, when practical packaging and late-1980s styling mattered as much as day-to-day drivability. For owners keeping one on the road today, tire fitment is less about vintage bias-ply interpretation and more about identifying the exact radial size that matches the car’s current wheel setup. The 1989 Buick Skyhawk uses radial tire sizes in both 13-inch and 14-inch applications, so wheel diameter confirmation comes first. Available choices range from blackwall and raised white letter looks to narrow and wide whitewall radials. That makes it possible to balance stock-style proportions, appearance, and road use without drifting away from proper fitment.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Buick Skyhawk
The 1989 Buick Skyhawk uses three primary tire sizes, and the first step is confirming which wheel diameter is on the car. Two sizes fit 13-inch rims and one fits a 14-inch rim, so the real decision starts with the wheel, then moves to tire profile, appearance, and the type of driving the car sees.
185/80R13 is a metric radial size with a 185-millimeter section width, an 80-series profile, and fitment for a 13-inch rim. On a 1989 Buick Skyhawk, this size suits owners looking for a taller-profile radial presentation on the correct wheel diameter. Available options include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Coker Classic across series such as Maxxis Radial, Silvertown Radial, and Star Series. It is a useful size to consider when preserving a more traditional passenger-car look matters as much as basic road fitment.
205/70R13 is a metric radial size that pairs a 205-millimeter section width with a 70-series profile on a 13-inch rim. For the 1989 Buick Skyhawk, it remains a 13-inch fitment but with a different width-and-profile balance than 185/80R13, so it should be matched to the actual wheel and vehicle setup. This size is available in a Michelin XDX-B blackwall radial, giving it a distinctly European-style performance-touring presentation. It is the size to evaluate when the car already wears the proper 13-inch wheel and the goal is a lower-profile blackwall radial in that diameter.
215/60R14 is a metric radial size with a 215-millimeter section width, a 60-series profile, and fitment for a 14-inch rim. On a 1989 Buick Skyhawk, this size stands apart from the 13-inch options because it requires a different wheel diameter, making wheel confirmation essential before selection. The available product uses BFGoodrich’s Radial T/A series with raised white letter sidewalls, giving this size a more assertive late-classic performance appearance. It is the right size to evaluate when the car is equipped with 14-inch wheels and the visual character of the tire matters along with fitment.
Fitment is straightforward at the sub-model level because both covered 1989 Buick Skyhawk sub-models use the same group of tire sizes. The important check is not Custom versus SE, but which wheel diameter and tire size the individual car actually has today.
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1989 Buick Skyhawk Custom
The 1989 Buick Skyhawk Custom uses the same radial tire-size group found across this model range, so size selection comes down to the wheel and tire setup on the car rather than the sub-model badge. That makes wheel-diameter confirmation the key step before choosing between whitewall, blackwall, or raised white letter options.
The 1989 Buick Skyhawk SE shares the same radial fitment range as the Custom, with both 13-inch and 14-inch applications appearing in the covered sizes. Tire choice therefore depends more on the actual wheel package and desired appearance than on any difference between SE and Custom trim.
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 1989 Buick Skyhawk Tires for Sale
Available 1989 Buick Skyhawk tires span Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Michelin, with choices that include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, blackwall, and raised white letter styling. The product grid is most useful for comparing appearance, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility within the correct size.
These FAQs focus on the exact tire sizes used on the 1989 Buick Skyhawk, how 13-inch and 14-inch fitments differ, and what to consider when comparing appearance, wheel compatibility, and road-use readiness.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Buick Skyhawk?
A 1989 Buick Skyhawk uses one of three radial tire sizes: 185/80R13, 205/70R13, or 215/60R14. The fitment is not tied to a different construction type, since all three are radial sizes, but it does vary by wheel diameter because two sizes are for 13-inch rims and one is for a 14-inch rim.
The practical next step is to check the car’s current wheel diameter before choosing a tire. Many surviving Skyhawks have been maintained, repaired, or updated over time, so the correct selection depends on the wheel actually on the car, along with enough clearance for the chosen width and profile.
What size rim does a 1989 Buick Skyhawk use?
The 1989 Buick Skyhawk uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on which tire size is on the car. The 185/80R13 and 205/70R13 sizes are both 13-inch applications, while 215/60R14 is a 14-inch application. That means rim diameter is a primary fitment point, not a minor detail.
Checking the tire sidewall is helpful, but confirming the wheel itself is better before ordering replacements. A Skyhawk that has had wheel changes over the years may no longer match its earlier setup, and matching the tire to the actual rim diameter and appropriate wheel width helps avoid unnecessary fitment problems.
Do all 1989 Buick Skyhawk sub-models use the same tire size?
The 1989 Buick Skyhawk Custom and 1989 Buick Skyhawk SE share the same overall fitment range, with 185/80R13, 205/70R13, and 215/60R14 all appearing within the covered model line. In other words, the sub-model name alone does not narrow the car to one tire size the way it might on some other vehicles.
That makes the individual wheel-and-tire setup more important than the trim badge. Looking at the existing tire size, measuring wheel diameter, and checking whether the car still has its intended wheel package will give a better answer than relying on Custom or SE identification by itself.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1989 Buick Skyhawk?
Start with the correct size and wheel diameter, since the 1989 Buick Skyhawk uses 185/80R13, 205/70R13, or 215/60R14 depending on the setup. After that, the important comparisons are tire profile, sidewall style, brand, tire series, and whether the wheel width falls within the tire’s intended range.
Appearance also matters more on this car than many buyers expect. A wide whitewall 185/80R13 creates a very different look from a blackwall 205/70R13 or a raised white letter 215/60R14, so the right choice depends on whether the goal is stock-style presentation, sporty late-1980s character, or straightforward road use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Buick Skyhawk tires?
Available sidewall styles for 1989 Buick Skyhawk tires include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, blackwall, and raised white letter. Those treatments are tied to specific sizes and tire lines, so sidewall appearance is not just a cosmetic choice independent of fitment. It needs to be considered within the correct size first.
That variety gives the Skyhawk owner a wide visual range. A whitewall presentation can lean toward a more traditional Buick look, while blackwall or raised white letter options shift the car toward a cleaner or sportier late-classic appearance. Choosing among them works best after confirming the wheel diameter already on the car.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Buick Skyhawk?
Tires for the 1989 Buick Skyhawk are available from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Michelin. Brand choice depends on the tire size being used, since the 185/80R13 options span several brands, while 205/70R13 and 215/60R14 each appear in more specialized single-brand offerings here.
The useful comparison is not brand name alone, but how each option combines with the right size, sidewall style, and tire series. Once the wheel diameter and intended look are settled, the brand decision becomes clearer because the available choices narrow naturally to the products that match that specific fitment.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Buick Skyhawk?
For a period-style 1989 Buick Skyhawk, the right tire starts with the correct wheel diameter and one of the proper radial sizes: 185/80R13, 205/70R13, or 215/60R14. From there, the look changes significantly depending on whether the car wears a whitewall radial, a blackwall performance-style tire, or a raised white letter option.
A traditional Buick presentation often points buyers toward whitewall choices in 185/80R13, while blackwall or raised white letter tires create a more assertive late-1980s appearance. When exact originality matters, it is worth comparing the car against period photos, original literature, or marque-specific references before settling on a sidewall treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1989 Buick Skyhawk?
On the 1989 Buick Skyhawk, construction is less of a visual dividing line than on older collector cars because the primary fitments are radial tires. The bigger appearance difference comes from size, profile, and sidewall treatment, especially when comparing taller-profile whitewall 13-inch tires to a lower-profile raised white letter 14-inch option.
That means a restoration-minded owner should think about stance and visual proportion as much as simple fitment. The same car can look noticeably more formal, more understated, or more sporting depending on which approved size and sidewall style is chosen, so tire selection has a real effect on the finished presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Buick Skyhawk?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1989 Buick Skyhawk, even when the tire size itself is one of the correct radial sizes. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, different offsets, suspension alterations, or body repairs can all influence whether a given 13-inch or 14-inch setup has the clearance it needs.
That is why the actual car should be checked before replacement tires are chosen strictly by catalog size. A Skyhawk with non-original wheels or altered ride height may need closer attention to wheel width, steering clearance, and fender space than a car that still retains its intended wheel-and-suspension layout.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Buick Skyhawk on new tires?
Before driving a 1989 Buick Skyhawk on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm lug hardware is correct, and make sure the chosen tire size matches the wheel diameter on the car. It is also smart to look over suspension and steering components so the new tires are not being asked to compensate for worn mechanical parts.
Once the tires are mounted, check inflation pressure, verify there is no rubbing at full steering lock, and recheck for clearance under normal vehicle load. A short road test followed by another visual inspection can catch issues early, especially on a car that has spent long periods parked or has had past wheel changes.
How should tires on a collector 1989 Buick Skyhawk be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1989 Buick Skyhawk should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections for cracking or bulges, and periodic evaluation for uneven wear or air loss. Because many surviving compact Buicks are driven infrequently, age and storage conditions can become as important as tread depth in judging tire condition.
Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber, and moving the vehicle occasionally can reduce long stationary loading. Before any longer drive, inspect the sidewalls and tread carefully, and confirm the tires still match the wheel setup and intended road use of the car.
