The 1989 Eagle Summit came from an era when compact imports and badge-engineered small cars were leaning harder into efficiency, tidy packaging, and modern road manners. For buyers keeping one on the road today, the tire decision is less about vintage bias-ply replacement and more about matching the exact trim and wheel setup the car uses. The 1989 Eagle Summit uses radial tires, but fitment spans three sizes: 155/80R13, 175/70R13, and 195/60R14. That creates meaningful differences in wheel diameter, sidewall profile, and the kinds of available whitewall or blackwall choices. Getting the right Summit tire starts with confirming whether the car is a DL or LX and whether it still wears its intended wheel size.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Eagle Summit
The 1989 Eagle Summit uses three primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. DL models use 13-inch fitments in either 155/80R13 or 175/70R13, while the LX uses 195/60R14 on a 14-inch rim. Before comparing tires, the first step is confirming the sub-model and checking whether the car still has its original wheel size.
155/80R13 is a metric radial size with a 155-millimeter nominal section width, an 80-series aspect ratio, and a fitment for a 13-inch rim. On the 1989 Eagle Summit, this size belongs to certain DL configurations and carries a taller sidewall look than the lower-profile alternatives used elsewhere in the lineup. Available choices include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments depending on the series. This size makes the most sense when the car is a DL on 13-inch wheels and the goal is matching that specific fitment rather than moving to a different wheel package.
175/70R13 is a metric radial size that uses a 175-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, and a 13-inch rim. For the 1989 Eagle Summit, it is another DL fitment, so it should be treated as a trim-specific or wheel-specific choice rather than a universal size for every Summit. The available option in this size is an Avon CR6ZZ blackwall radial, giving it a different look and product character than the whitewall-heavy 155/80R13 selections. It is the size to evaluate when the car is already set up for this 13-inch fitment and the wheel dimensions support it.
195/60R14 is a metric radial size with a 195-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, and a 14-inch rim diameter. On the 1989 Eagle Summit, this size is associated with the LX, making it the distinct fitment that separates that sub-model from the 13-inch DL tire options. The available choice is a Michelin MXV3-A blackwall radial, which gives the LX a more modern, lower-profile presentation than the taller 13-inch sizes. This is the right size to consider when the car is an LX or when the existing wheels have been confirmed as 14-inch rims.
Sub-model identification matters on the 1989 Eagle Summit because tire fitment is not the same across the range. The DL uses 13-inch tire sizes, while the LX moves to a 14-inch fitment, so checking the exact trim and wheel diameter should come before comparing tire options.
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1989 Eagle Summit DL
The 1989 Eagle Summit DL uses radial tires in two 13-inch sizes: 155/80R13 and 175/70R13. That means tire selection starts with confirming which wheel and size the car currently uses, then choosing between whitewall-oriented and blackwall product options within the correct 13-inch fitment.
The 1989 Eagle Summit LX uses a 195/60R14 radial tire on a 14-inch rim. For this sub-model, the main task is confirming that the car still carries its 14-inch wheel setup before selecting a tire with the right profile and overall presentation.
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 Eagle Summit Tires for Sale
Available 1989 Eagle Summit tires vary by size, brand, series, and sidewall treatment. Choices include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Tornel, Avon, and Michelin, with whitewall selections concentrated in 155/80R13 and blackwall options appearing in 175/70R13 and 195/60R14.
Common 1989 Eagle Summit tire questions center on identifying the right size by sub-model, confirming 13-inch versus 14-inch rim fitment, and choosing among available radial tires by sidewall style, brand, and intended appearance.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Eagle Summit?
The 1989 Eagle Summit uses three tire sizes: 155/80R13, 175/70R13, and 195/60R14. DL models use the 13-inch sizes, while the LX uses 195/60R14 on a 14-inch rim. All of these are radial tire fitments rather than vintage bias-ply sizes.
The practical difference is that Summit tire selection is tied to both trim and wheel diameter. A buyer should confirm whether the car is a DL or LX, then verify the actual wheel size on the vehicle before choosing a tire, especially if the car has had wheel changes over the years.
What size rim does a 1989 Eagle Summit use?
A 1989 Eagle Summit uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the tire size and sub-model. The 155/80R13 and 175/70R13 sizes use 13-inch rims, while the 195/60R14 size uses a 14-inch rim.
That makes wheel confirmation an essential first step before ordering tires. The tire size molded into the current sidewall and the actual wheel diameter should agree, and any Summit wearing aftermarket wheels or replacement rims should be measured and checked carefully before a new tire is selected.
Why does the 1989 Eagle Summit have more than one tire size?
The 1989 Eagle Summit has more than one tire size because fitment varies by sub-model and wheel package. DL versions use two different 13-inch radial sizes, while the LX uses a separate 14-inch radial size with a lower profile and wider section width.
That variation means there is no single universal Summit tire size. The right approach is to identify the exact trim, confirm whether the car is on 13-inch or 14-inch wheels, and then match the replacement tire to the existing setup instead of assuming another Summit size will serve as an automatic substitute.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1989 Eagle Summit tire?
Start with the correct tire size for the specific car: 155/80R13, 175/70R13, or 195/60R14. From there, compare radial construction, wheel diameter, rim-width compatibility where stated, sidewall style, tire series, and any useful product details such as load capacity or overall tire character.
The best choice depends on how the Summit is used and how it is meant to look. A DL owner may want a traditional whitewall presentation in 155/80R13, while another buyer may prefer the blackwall look of 175/70R13 or the LX's 195/60R14 setup after verifying the car still has the intended wheels.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Eagle Summit tires?
Sidewall options for the 1989 Eagle Summit include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on tire size. Whitewall choices appear in 155/80R13, while the available 175/70R13 and 195/60R14 tires are blackwall radials.
That makes sidewall style part of the selection process, not just a cosmetic afterthought. Matching the tire to the correct size comes first, and then the buyer can decide whether the Summit should keep a clean blackwall appearance or a more period-style whitewall look within the proper fitment.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Eagle Summit?
Brands available for 1989 Eagle Summit tire sizes include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Tornel, Avon, and Michelin. The brand selection depends on the exact tire size, with the broadest assortment appearing in 155/80R13 and single-brand choices available in 175/70R13 and 195/60R14.
Brand matters most after the size, wheel diameter, and intended appearance have been settled. Once the correct Summit fitment is confirmed, the comparison can focus on series differences, sidewall treatment, and any stated rim-width or load information that helps separate one available tire from another.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Eagle Summit?
A period-style 1989 Eagle Summit tire choice starts with the correct trim-specific size. On a DL, 155/80R13 offers the broadest appearance choices, including narrow whitewall and wide whitewall radials, while the LX uses 195/60R14 and follows a more modern blackwall presentation.
Appearance should be matched to the car's existing wheel setup and the look being pursued, not treated separately from fitment. Buyers chasing a more authentic presentation should also compare old photos, window stickers, brochures, or marque-specific references before settling on a whitewall or blackwall style.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1989 Eagle Summit restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1989 Eagle Summit restoration because the car uses multiple sizes across different sub-models and wheel diameters. A DL on 13-inch tires presents differently from an LX on 195/60R14, and the sidewall style can noticeably change the car's finished look.
Using the right size helps preserve proper proportions and avoids turning the restoration into a guess based on what happens to be mounted today. Checking the trim level, wheel diameter, and overall visual goal first makes it easier to choose a tire that suits the restoration instead of distracting from it.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Eagle Summit?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1989 Eagle Summit. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, lowering, replacement struts, or body alterations can change the wheel diameter, width, and available clearance, even when the car originally used one of the stock Summit tire sizes.
That is why the current setup should be inspected before replacing tires. A Summit that now wears different wheels may no longer suit the original trim-based tire choice, so the buyer should verify wheel diameter, check steering and fender clearance, and compare the mounted setup before ordering a new set.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Eagle Summit on new tires?
Before driving a 1989 Eagle Summit on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, verify that the tire size matches the rim diameter, and confirm the tires clear the fenders and suspension through the steering range. Tire pressure, valve stems, and overall installation quality also deserve close attention.
It also helps to look beyond the tires themselves. Older compact cars can have worn alignment components, tired suspension bushings, or uneven brake behavior that affect how new tires wear and feel on the road, so a general mechanical check makes the most of the correct Summit fitment.
How often should tires on a 1989 Eagle Summit be inspected?
Tires on a 1989 Eagle Summit should be inspected regularly, especially if the car is driven infrequently or stored for long periods. A close visual check for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and air loss is worthwhile before routine driving and particularly before any longer trip.
Low-use cars can age tires out before they wear them out, so condition matters as much as tread depth. Checking pressure, watching for sidewall deterioration, and storing the Summit away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment can help preserve the tires between drives.
