The 1989 Isuzu I-Mark came at the end of an era when compact imports balanced economy, light weight, and trim-specific personality in a very practical package. Whether the goal is keeping an affordable survivor on the road or sorting out a more presentation-minded example, tire selection on this car starts with the exact sub-model. The 1989 Isuzu I-Mark uses radial tires, but fitment varies between 185/60R14, 155/80R13, and 175/70R13 depending on trim. That means the decision is not just brand choice, but also wheel diameter, sidewall style, and overall look. Getting the right size first helps preserve proper stance, clearance, and road manners.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Isuzu I-Mark
Three tire sizes apply to the 1989 Isuzu I-Mark, and they are split by sub-model as well as wheel diameter. Before choosing a tire, the first step is confirming whether the car uses a 13-inch or 14-inch rim and then matching that to the exact trim. Once the correct size is established, the choice becomes one of sidewall style, tire series, and the overall appearance you want from a radial replacement.
185/60R14 is a metric radial size in which 185 represents section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1989 Isuzu I-Mark, this size is used on 14-inch-wheel trims and keeps the fitment in a modern radial format. Available choices here center on a blackwall presentation from Michelin in the Pilot Exalto PE2 series. This size is the one to evaluate when the car has the larger factory-style wheel setup and a more performance-oriented low-profile look.
155/80R13 is a metric radial size with a 155-millimeter nominal width, an 80-series profile, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. For the 1989 Isuzu I-Mark, it serves the 13-inch-wheel fitment with a taller sidewall than the 14-inch option. Product choice is broader in this size, including blackwall-free whitewall-oriented selections from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel in both narrow and wide whitewall styles. This size matters when maintaining the correct wheel diameter and deciding whether the car should keep a plain driver look or a more distinctive vintage-style sidewall treatment.
175/70R13 is a metric radial size where 175 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1989 Isuzu I-Mark, this size is another 13-inch fitment but with a different width and profile than 155/80R13, so it should not be treated as the same setup. The available product is an Avon CR6ZZ blackwall radial, giving this size a distinctly focused product path. It is the right size to review only after confirming the sub-model and existing wheel package.
Tire fitment on the 1989 Isuzu I-Mark changes by sub-model, so trim identification matters before any tire is chosen. The key distinction is whether the car uses the shared 185/60R14 setup or one of the two different 13-inch radial sizes.
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1989 Isuzu I-Mark LS
The 1989 Isuzu I-Mark LS uses the 185/60R14 radial size on a 14-inch wheel. That keeps tire selection focused on matching the proper low-profile metric fitment and then choosing within the available blackwall radial option.
The 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS also uses the 185/60R14 radial size, sharing its fitment path with the LS. Tire selection here starts with preserving the 14-inch wheel setup and then evaluating the available radial for the car's intended road use and appearance.
The 1989 Isuzu I-Mark S uses the 155/80R13 radial size on a 13-inch rim. That opens up a wider mix of product and sidewall choices, especially for owners deciding between a straightforward driver-style tire and a more traditional whitewall presentation.
The 1989 Isuzu I-Mark XS uses the 175/70R13 radial size on a 13-inch wheel. Because this is different from the other 13-inch I-Mark fitment, tire choice should begin with confirming the exact trim and wheel size before comparing products.
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 Isuzu I-Mark Tires for Sale
Available 1989 Isuzu I-Mark tires vary meaningfully by size. The 185/60R14 and 175/70R13 fitments center on blackwall radials from Michelin and Avon, while 155/80R13 adds broader choice through Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel with narrow and wide whitewall options.
Common 1989 Isuzu I-Mark tire questions usually come down to trim-specific size selection, 13-inch versus 14-inch wheel fitment, radial product choices, sidewall appearance, and the checks worth making before putting a lightly used compact back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Isuzu I-Mark?
The 1989 Isuzu I-Mark uses three different radial tire sizes depending on sub-model: 185/60R14, 155/80R13, and 175/70R13. LS and RS models use 185/60R14, the S uses 155/80R13, and the XS uses 175/70R13.
That makes trim identification the first step, because the I-Mark does not use one universal tire size across the lineup. It is also important to confirm whether the car is on its original 13-inch or 14-inch wheels before choosing a replacement, especially if the car has changed hands or has had wheel swaps over the years.
What size rim does a 1989 Isuzu I-Mark use?
A 1989 Isuzu I-Mark uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The LS and RS use a 14-inch wheel with 185/60R14 tires, while the S and XS use 13-inch wheels with 155/80R13 or 175/70R13 tires.
Wheel diameter needs to be confirmed before ordering tires because two of the I-Mark sizes share the same 13-inch rim diameter while the 185/60R14 setup does not. Checking the wheel itself is especially worthwhile on older compact cars, since replacement wheels or mixed sets can make trim-based assumptions less reliable.
Why does the 1989 Isuzu I-Mark have more than one tire size?
The 1989 Isuzu I-Mark has more than one tire size because tire fitment changes by sub-model. LS and RS models share 185/60R14, the S uses 155/80R13, and the XS uses 175/70R13, so the lineup includes both different wheel diameters and different tire profiles.
That means a buyer should not choose a tire by model name alone. The practical next step is to match the car's exact trim and wheel setup, then compare tire options within that one size rather than trying to treat the other I-Mark sizes as interchangeable alternatives.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1989 Isuzu I-Mark tire?
Start with the correct trim-specific size, because the 1989 Isuzu I-Mark uses three different radial fitments. After size and rim diameter are confirmed, the important selection factors are sidewall style, tire series, rim-width compatibility where stated, and whether the car is being kept as a practical driver or a more appearance-conscious survivor.
A 155/80R13 I-Mark owner has a wider appearance choice than someone shopping 185/60R14 or 175/70R13, since that size includes narrow and wide whitewall options. The best comparison method is to stay within the correct size, verify wheel dimensions, and then choose the tire that suits the car's intended look and use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Isuzu I-Mark tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size used on the 1989 Isuzu I-Mark. The 185/60R14 and 175/70R13 fitments are available as blackwall radials, while 155/80R13 adds more visual variety with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall choices alongside its radial construction.
That makes the S model the most flexible if appearance is part of the decision. Buyers trying to preserve a clean late-1980s compact look may prefer blackwalls, while a whitewall treatment changes the character of the car noticeably, so it helps to consider the overall presentation before settling on a size-specific option.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Isuzu I-Mark?
Brand availability for the 1989 Isuzu I-Mark includes Michelin for 185/60R14, Avon for 175/70R13, and Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel for 155/80R13. Those brands are spread across the different trim-specific sizes rather than all competing in one common fitment.
Because the brand mix changes with the size, choosing a tire starts with fitment and only then moves to brand preference. It is more useful to compare the products available in the correct size for the car than to look for a single brand across all I-Mark trims.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Isuzu I-Mark?
A period-style 1989 Isuzu I-Mark starts with the correct trim-specific size and wheel diameter. From there, blackwall radials suit a straightforward late-1980s compact presentation, while 155/80R13 opens the door to narrow or wide whitewall choices for an owner who wants a more distinctive visual treatment.
The safest approach is to separate authenticity from personal style. Matching the right size preserves the car's stance and fitment logic first, and then sidewall choice shapes the look, so owners pursuing exact originality should compare their car against period photos, brochures, or marque-specific references before deciding.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1989 Isuzu I-Mark restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1989 Isuzu I-Mark restoration because the car uses more than one size across the model range, including both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel setups. Choosing the wrong size can change the car's visual balance and move the project away from the trim-specific configuration it should represent.
Even on a budget-minded restoration, tire size is one of the details that affects how finished the car looks. Confirming the actual sub-model and wheel diameter before buying tires helps keep the project visually consistent and avoids turning a simple cosmetic refresh into a fitment correction later.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Isuzu I-Mark?
Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1989 Isuzu I-Mark, especially because the car already spans both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel setups from the factory. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or previous owner tire substitutions can all change what fits cleanly around the fenders and steering components.
A modified I-Mark should be measured rather than assumed to match stock trim fitment. Checking wheel diameter, wheel width, and visible clearance at full steering lock helps avoid choosing a tire solely by model designation when the actual setup on the car may differ from its original configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Isuzu I-Mark on new tires?
Before driving a 1989 Isuzu I-Mark on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the trim, and make sure the tires are seated and inflated properly. It also helps to look over suspension and steering components so the fresh tires are not masking worn parts.
An older compact can feel very different once new tires replace aged rubber, so a short test drive should include checking for rubbing, pull, vibration, or uneven steering response. Rechecking air pressure after initial use is also worthwhile, particularly if the car has been sitting or is returning to regular road use.
How should tires on a collector 1989 Isuzu I-Mark be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1989 Isuzu I-Mark should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and attention to age as well as tread depth. Even a lightly driven car can develop sidewall cracking, flat spotting, or slow air loss if it spends long periods parked.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a low-use car. Keeping the I-Mark away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, and moisture helps preserve the tires, and occasional inspection for cuts, bulges, and uneven wear can catch problems early before the car is taken on a longer drive.
