The 1989 Dodge Aries came from the final years of Chrysler’s K-car era, a practical front-wheel-drive sedan valued today more for honest preservation than for excess flash. For owners keeping one on the road, tire fitment is straightforward only after the exact LE configuration is confirmed, because this model uses either 175/80R13 or 185/70R14 radial tires depending on sub-model. That means the main decision is not just size, but also wheel diameter, sidewall appearance, and the kind of road manners or period-style presentation you want. Whitewall and blackwall options both appear here, making it easier to match a restoration-minded look or a simple driver-focused setup.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Dodge Aries
Two primary tire sizes apply to the 1989 Dodge Aries, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model. Just as important, those sizes use different wheel diameters: 175/80R13 fits a 13-inch rim, while 185/70R14 fits a 14-inch rim. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether the car is an LE or an LE w/Equipment Pkg. and verify the wheel diameter actually on the vehicle, especially if it has been changed over the years.
175/80R13 is a metric radial size where 175 is the section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1989 Dodge Aries, this size supports the car’s original-era everyday driving character with a modern radial layout rather than a vintage bias-ply format. Available choices include Narrow Whitewall and Wide Whitewall designs from Maxxis and BFGoodrich in series such as Classic Whitewall MA-1 and Silvertown Radial. This size is the one to evaluate when the car retains the 13-inch wheel setup used on the applicable LE configuration.
185/70R14 is a metric radial size with a 185-millimeter section width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim requirement. For the 1989 Dodge Aries, it represents the alternate primary fitment tied to a different sub-model and wheel package, so it should not be chosen unless the car is actually on 14-inch wheels. Product choices are broader here, including blackwall touring and classic-style options from Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, along with a Wide Whitewall BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial. This size makes the most sense when preserving the correct wheel diameter and appearance for the LE w/Equipment Pkg. configuration.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1989 Dodge Aries because the covered versions do not share the same tire size or wheel diameter. Identifying whether the car is an LE or an LE w/Equipment Pkg. is the first step before comparing sidewall style, brand, or tire series.
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1989 Dodge Aries LE
The 1989 Dodge Aries LE uses the 175/80R13 radial size on a 13-inch wheel setup. That keeps the tire search focused on proper 13-inch fitment, then on whether a Narrow Whitewall or Wide Whitewall better suits the car’s appearance and intended use.
The 1989 Dodge Aries LE w/Equipment Pkg. uses the 185/70R14 radial size on a 14-inch wheel. Tire selection here begins with confirming that 14-inch setup, then choosing among blackwall and whitewall options across several classic-oriented radial series.
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 Dodge Aries Tires for Sale
Available 1989 Dodge Aries tires vary by size, brand, tire series, and sidewall presentation. Depending on the exact fitment, choices include Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, with blackwall, Narrow Whitewall, and Wide Whitewall designs across several radial series.
Owners shopping for 1989 Dodge Aries tires usually need to confirm the correct size first, then sort through wheel diameter, sub-model fitment, sidewall style, and available radial tire choices for a preserved original-style look or regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Dodge Aries?
A 1989 Dodge Aries uses one of two radial tire sizes: 175/80R13 or 185/70R14. The correct size depends on the exact sub-model, with the Aries LE using 175/80R13 and the Aries LE w/Equipment Pkg. using 185/70R14.
That makes wheel confirmation especially important, because these sizes do not share the same rim diameter. A car that has had wheels replaced over time may not still wear its original setup, so the safest approach is to confirm the sub-model and physically check whether the car has 13-inch or 14-inch wheels before selecting a tire.
What size rim does a 1989 Dodge Aries use?
The 1989 Dodge Aries uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the exact version of the car. The 175/80R13 fitment uses a 13-inch rim, while the 185/70R14 fitment uses a 14-inch rim.
Rim diameter needs to match the tire size exactly, so this is not a detail to estimate. If the car has been stored, restored, or modified, check the wheel itself before ordering tires, then compare the tire’s approved rim-width range with the wheel you have to make sure the combination is appropriate.
Why does the 1989 Dodge Aries have more than one tire size?
The 1989 Dodge Aries has more than one tire size because fitment changes by sub-model. The Aries LE uses 175/80R13, while the Aries LE w/Equipment Pkg. uses 185/70R14, so the difference is tied to configuration rather than tire construction.
For a buyer, that means the first decision is not brand or sidewall style but identifying the exact version of the car and its wheel diameter. Once that is settled, the search becomes much easier, because you can focus on the available radial options that match the proper size and visual style.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1989 Dodge Aries tire?
Start with the correct size for the exact car, because a 1989 Dodge Aries may use either 175/80R13 or 185/70R14. From there, compare radial construction, wheel diameter, sidewall style, and any product details that matter to your goals, such as rim-width range, load figure, and tire series.
A preserved sedan that needs a traditional look may lead you toward one of the whitewall options, while a driver-oriented car may point toward a blackwall radial. It also helps to check the wheel currently on the car, since an older Aries may have received replacement wheels long after it left daily service.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Dodge Aries tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1989 Dodge Aries include Blackwall, Narrow Whitewall, and Wide Whitewall, depending on the tire size. The 175/80R13 fitment is offered with Narrow Whitewall and Wide Whitewall styling, while 185/70R14 includes Blackwall options as well as a Wide Whitewall choice.
That gives the car a noticeably different visual character even when the size remains correct. A whitewall can support a more traditional late-1980s presentation, while a blackwall keeps the look simpler and more understated, so appearance can be weighed alongside wheel diameter, series, and intended use.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Dodge Aries?
1989 Dodge Aries tires are available from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein across the two applicable sizes. Brand availability depends on which fitment the car uses, with the broader brand mix appearing in 185/70R14 and the 175/80R13 choices centered on Maxxis and BFGoodrich.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. Once the correct size is confirmed, compare the available tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel compatibility details, since those differences often matter more on an older preserved vehicle than simply choosing by name on the sidewall.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Dodge Aries?
A period-style 1989 Dodge Aries begins with using the correct size for the exact sub-model: 175/80R13 for the LE or 185/70R14 for the LE w/Equipment Pkg. After that, the most appearance-focused choices are the whitewall radials, including Narrow Whitewall and Wide Whitewall options depending on size.
That approach preserves the right overall fitment direction while still letting the car reflect the look you want. When originality matters beyond general period style, compare the tire choice against factory literature, showroom photography, or marque-specific references rather than assuming every whitewall offered in the correct size matches how the car was originally delivered.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1989 Dodge Aries?
Tire construction is less of a visual dividing line on a 1989 Dodge Aries than on an earlier collector car, because both primary fitments are radial. The bigger appearance difference here comes from size-specific sidewall treatment, especially whether the car wears blackwall, Narrow Whitewall, or Wide Whitewall tires.
Even so, construction still matters indirectly because the tire’s profile and intended presentation are part of the overall look. Keeping the proper radial size on the correct 13-inch or 14-inch wheel helps the car sit and appear as intended, while a mismatched size can change the visual balance of an otherwise careful restoration.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Dodge Aries?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1989 Dodge Aries even when the nominal tire size seems close. Wheel changes, suspension work, altered ride height, or body repairs can all change how a 175/80R13 or 185/70R14 tire sits in the wheel opening and clears nearby components.
That matters most on an older sedan that may have had practical updates over the years. Checking actual wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and fender clearance before mounting new tires helps avoid choosing a size that matches the badge or trim level on paper but not the vehicle’s current setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Dodge Aries on new tires?
Before driving a 1989 Dodge Aries on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the car’s wheel diameter, and make sure the tires are inflated appropriately for use. It also helps to look over the valve stems, lug hardware, and general condition of the brakes and suspension.
A careful check is worthwhile because many surviving Aries sedans have spent time parked or used only occasionally. After installation, watch for air loss, vibration, rubbing during turns, or uneven stance, since those symptoms can point to wheel mismatch, alignment issues, or clearance problems that should be corrected early.
How should 1989 Dodge Aries tires be maintained?
1989 Dodge Aries tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to aging as well as tread wear. Even on a lightly used car, sidewall cracking, flat spotting, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss deserve prompt attention because time can affect older tires as much as mileage.
Storage conditions also matter on collector-era daily drivers that are now preserved. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can help protect the tires, and periodic inspection of tread wear patterns can reveal alignment or suspension problems before they turn into a larger fitment or road-use issue.
