The 1989 Ford Taurus sits in the period when Ford’s aerodynamic midsize sedan had already reshaped mainstream American car design, blending family-car practicality with a far more modern look than many of its rivals. That matters when choosing tires, because this Taurus uses modern metric radial sizing rather than earlier bias-ply or alphanumeric formats. Fitment depends on trim and wheel diameter, with 205/70R14, 205/65R15, and the SHO-only 215/65R15 all appearing within the lineup. Available choices range from traditional whitewall and redline styles to blackwall, raised white letter, and outline white letter designs, so the right tire depends on whether the goal is stock-style road use, a period look, or sportier presentation.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Ford Taurus
The 1989 Ford Taurus uses three primary tire sizes, and the right one depends first on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Most GL, L, and LX cars use either 205/70R14 on a 14-inch rim or 205/65R15 on a 15-inch rim, while the SHO uses 215/65R15 on a 15-inch rim. Before choosing a tire, confirm the trim and measure the wheel diameter actually on the car.
205/65R15 is a metric radial size where 205 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 65 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1989 Ford Taurus, this size is part of the regular-model fitment range and keeps the car in a modern radial format. Available tires in this size center on BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial offerings with wide whitewall and redline sidewall treatments. It is a useful size to evaluate when the car already has 15-inch wheels and the goal is to balance correct fitment with a strong period-inspired appearance.
205/70R14 is a metric radial size with a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. This size appears on GL, L, and LX versions of the 1989 Ford Taurus and is tied to the 14-inch wheel setup. Product choices are broader here, including Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Michelin, with narrow whitewall, redline, dual-redline, blackwall, and raised white letter sidewall styles. It is the right place to focus when the car retains its 14-inch wheels and the buyer wants more variety in brand character and sidewall presentation.
215/65R15 is a metric radial size in which 215 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 65 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter. On the 1989 Ford Taurus, this size is associated with the SHO and reflects that model’s distinct fitment. Choices include Goodyear, Cooper, and BFGoodrich products in outline white letter, raised white letter, redline, and wide whitewall styles across several tire series. This is the size to review when selecting tires for an SHO or when confirming that a 15-inch sport-oriented wheel setup is actually on the car.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1989 Ford Taurus because the lineup does not use one universal tire size. GL, L, and LX models share the same two-size pattern, while the SHO uses its own 15-inch fitment, so confirming the exact trim is the first step before comparing tires.
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1989 Ford Taurus GL
The 1989 Ford Taurus GL uses the same general tire-fitment pattern as the L and LX, with either a 14-inch or 15-inch radial setup depending on the wheel package on the car. Tire selection starts with confirming wheel diameter, then narrowing the choice by sidewall style, brand, and overall appearance.
The 1989 Ford Taurus L shares its tire-size pattern with the GL and LX, so the key question is whether the car wears 14-inch or 15-inch wheels. Once that is verified, the decision becomes less about fitment confusion and more about choosing the right radial tire style for the car’s presentation and use.
The 1989 Ford Taurus LX follows the same fitment path as the GL and L, with radial tire choice tied to the wheel diameter installed on the vehicle. That means buyers should verify the wheel first, then compare available sidewall treatments and tire series that best suit a stock-style or more customized look.
The 1989 Ford Taurus SHO uses its own radial tire size rather than sharing the 14-inch fitment found elsewhere in the Taurus range. That makes SHO tire selection more straightforward, with the real choice shifting to brand, sidewall style, and whether the tire’s appearance should lean sporty or more traditional.
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 Ford Taurus Tires for Sale
Available 1989 Ford Taurus tires span BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Michelin, Goodyear, and Cooper, depending on size. Across the three fitments, the product grid lets you compare radial tire series and sidewall styles including wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, redline, dual-redline, blackwall, RWL, and OWL.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2 Inch Whitewall | 205/65R15
These FAQs focus on the exact tire sizes used on the 1989 Ford Taurus, how they vary by sub-model and wheel diameter, and what to compare when choosing among available radial tires for stock-style driving, appearance, and road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Ford Taurus?
A 1989 Ford Taurus uses one of three radial tire sizes: 205/70R14, 205/65R15, or 215/65R15. GL, L, and LX models use either 205/70R14 or 205/65R15 depending on wheel setup, while the SHO uses 215/65R15.
That means there is not one universal size for every 1989 Taurus. The safest starting point is to confirm the exact sub-model and then verify the wheel diameter on the car, especially if it may have had wheels changed over the years. After that, the choice shifts to tire series, sidewall style, and the look you want.
What size rim does a 1989 Ford Taurus use?
The 1989 Ford Taurus uses either a 14-inch or 15-inch rim, depending on the tire size and sub-model. The 205/70R14 tire mounts on a 14-inch rim, while both 205/65R15 and 215/65R15 use a 15-inch rim.
Rim diameter is the first thing to check before selecting a tire, because a 14-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 15-inch wheel and vice versa. On GL, L, and LX models, either wheel diameter may be present, so the actual wheel on the car matters more than assumption. SHO fitment centers on the 15-inch setup.
Do all 1989 Ford Taurus sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 1989 Ford Taurus lineup does not use one tire size across every sub-model. GL, L, and LX models share 205/70R14 and 205/65R15 as their fitment pattern, while the SHO uses 215/65R15.
That difference matters because the SHO has its own size rather than simply sharing the regular Taurus fitment. On non-SHO cars, the next step is still to confirm whether the car has 14-inch or 15-inch wheels. Once that is settled, it becomes much easier to compare available tires by construction, appearance, and rim-width compatibility.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1989 Ford Taurus?
Start with the correct size for the exact sub-model and wheel diameter, because the 1989 Ford Taurus uses more than one fitment. GL, L, and LX models may use either 205/70R14 or 205/65R15, while the SHO uses 215/65R15.
Once the size is confirmed, compare the available tire series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, and load figures tied to their stated pressure. Some buyers want a cleaner blackwall or white-letter look, while others prefer whitewall or redline styling. Matching the tire to the car’s intended appearance and actual wheel setup usually matters more than choosing by brand name alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Ford Taurus tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1989 Ford Taurus include wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, redline, dual-redline, blackwall, RWL, and OWL, depending on the tire size. Not every sidewall style appears in every size, so the available look changes with the fitment.
That gives a Taurus owner room to tune the appearance of the car without changing the basic tire size. A whitewall can create a more formal period look, while redline, RWL, or OWL styles push the car toward a sportier presentation. The practical step is to confirm the right size first, then compare which sidewall treatments exist in that exact fitment.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Ford Taurus?
1989 Ford Taurus tire options include BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Michelin, Goodyear, and Cooper across the three primary sizes. Brand availability depends on the size, with some fitments offering a wider spread of choices than others.
That means brand selection should come after confirming the correct tire size and wheel diameter. For example, one size may have mostly BFGoodrich options, while another adds Maxxis or Michelin, and the SHO size brings in Goodyear and Cooper as well. The smarter comparison is brand plus tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel compatibility together, not brand in isolation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Ford Taurus?
A period-style 1989 Ford Taurus tire starts with the correct radial size for the exact sub-model and wheel diameter, then narrows by sidewall presentation. Whitewall, redline, blackwall, RWL, and OWL choices all appear within the Taurus fitments, depending on size.
For a cleaner stock-era impression, many owners focus on traditional sidewall treatments and tire series that suit the car’s late-1980s character. A sportier Taurus, especially an SHO, may lean naturally toward white-letter styling instead. When exact originality matters, compare the car against model-specific historical references and then choose the available tire that most closely matches that presentation.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1989 Ford Taurus?
On the 1989 Ford Taurus, the primary fitments are radial tires, so the construction itself is already consistent with the vehicle’s era. Appearance is shaped less by a bias-ply-versus-radial decision and more by the sidewall style, tire series, and whether the car wears a 14-inch or 15-inch setup.
That makes the visual decision more about presentation than construction change. A blackwall or white-letter tire can give the car a different personality than a whitewall or redline even within the same size family. For a restoration-minded Taurus, keeping the proper size and wheel diameter usually matters first, then refining the look through the sidewall treatment.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Ford Taurus?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1989 Ford Taurus even when the tire size itself is correct for the model. Wheel changes, suspension alterations, lowering, and body or brake modifications can all change available clearance and the way a tire sits on the car.
That is especially important on a Taurus that may no longer retain its original wheel setup. A non-SHO car could have been converted between 14-inch and 15-inch wheels, and offset or width changes can matter as much as diameter. Check wheel size, rim width, steering clearance, and fender space before settling on a replacement tire.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Ford Taurus on new tires?
Before driving a 1989 Ford Taurus on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm proper inflation, and check that the tires clear the suspension, inner fenders, and steering components. It also helps to verify that lug hardware and wheel seating surfaces are in good condition.
A collector or lightly used Taurus can also hide age-related issues elsewhere in the chassis, so worn shocks, tired bushings, or alignment problems may affect how the new tires behave. After installation, recheck air pressure and look for any rubbing marks or uneven stance. A short test drive followed by another inspection is a smart final step.
How should tires on a collector 1989 Ford Taurus be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1989 Ford Taurus should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspections, and attention to age as well as tread depth. Look for cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, or slow air loss, especially on a car that spends long periods parked.
Storage habits matter too. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber, while moving the vehicle occasionally can reduce long-term flat spotting. Even if the tread still looks usable, an older tire deserves close scrutiny before road use, particularly before a longer highway drive.
