The 1989 Mazda MX-6 came from an era when imported sport coupes balanced everyday comfort with sharp styling and more sophisticated road manners than many mainstream two-door cars of the time. Its clean late-1980s proportions and front-wheel-drive packaging make tire choice especially important to both appearance and driving feel. This MX-6 uses radial fitments in either 185/70R14 or 195/60R15, depending on the wheel setup on the car. That leaves room to choose between traditional blackwall touring-style options and more specialized whitewall, redline, or raised white letter presentations. The key first step is confirming whether the car is on 14-inch or 15-inch wheels before comparing tire style, brand, and intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Mazda MX-6
The 1989 Mazda MX-6 uses two primary tire sizes, and the first thing to confirm is wheel diameter. Both sizes are radial, but one fits a 14-inch rim and the other fits a 15-inch rim, so the right choice depends on the actual wheel setup on the car. Once that is established, the decision shifts to sidewall style, brand, tire series, and the kind of look or road use you want from the car.
185/70R14 is a metric radial size that uses a 185-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and a 14-inch rim. On a 1989 Mazda MX-6, this size suits cars running the 14-inch wheel setup and keeps the selection in a fully radial construction. Available choices include blackwall tires from Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, along with a BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial in a 2.25 inch whitewall. This size is worth considering when preserving the car's 14-inch wheel fitment and comparing period-flavored touring or sport-oriented radial options.
195/60R15 is a metric radial size with a 195-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, and a 15-inch rim diameter. On the 1989 Mazda MX-6, it belongs to cars equipped with 15-inch wheels, so wheel diameter must be verified before choosing it. Product choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and RWL sidewall styles, with BFGoodrich and Michelin offerings across multiple series. This size makes sense when the car already has the 15-inch setup and the goal is to match a particular visual style as closely as the wheel package allows.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1989 Mazda MX-6 sub-models because each one can use the same two radial sizes. The important step is not choosing by trim name alone, but confirming whether the car is wearing 14-inch or 15-inch wheels before selecting a tire.
1
1989 Mazda MX-6 DX
The 1989 Mazda MX-6 DX can be equipped with either of the two primary radial tire sizes used across this model line. Tire selection comes down to verifying the wheel diameter on the car, then choosing the sidewall style, brand, and tire series that fit the look and use you want.
The 1989 Mazda MX-6 GT shares the same two radial fitment paths as the other covered sub-models. That means the practical decision is confirming whether the car is on 14-inch or 15-inch wheels, then comparing available tires by presentation, series, and wheel-width compatibility.
The 1989 Mazda MX-6 GT 4WS uses the same overall tire-size choices found elsewhere in the 1989 MX-6 range. The main fitment step is to verify the actual wheel size on the vehicle and then evaluate radial tire options that suit the car's appearance goals and intended road use.
The 1989 Mazda MX-6 LX follows the same basic tire-fitment pattern as the other MX-6 sub-models covered here. Choosing the right tire starts with checking for a 14-inch or 15-inch wheel, then narrowing the options by sidewall style, tire series, 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 Mazda MX-6 Tires for Sale
Available 1989 Mazda MX-6 tires cover both primary sizes with radial choices from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. The product grid is where to compare blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and RWL sidewalls, along with differences in tire series and rim-width compatibility.
Showing 6 of 9
Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 185/70R14
These 1989 Mazda MX-6 tire FAQs focus on the two correct sizes, 14-inch versus 15-inch wheel fitment, radial-only selection, sidewall and brand choices, and the checks worth making before putting a collector-era coupe back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Mazda MX-6?
The 1989 Mazda MX-6 uses two primary tire sizes: 185/70R14 and 195/60R15. Both are radial sizes, but they do not fit the same wheel diameter, since one is for a 14-inch rim and the other is for a 15-inch rim.
The correct choice depends on the wheel setup currently on the car, not simply the model name on the trunk. Checking the tire sidewall and measuring the wheel diameter is the safest way to confirm what belongs on your MX-6 before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or tire series.
What size rim does a 1989 Mazda MX-6 use?
A 1989 Mazda MX-6 can use either a 14-inch rim or a 15-inch rim. The 185/70R14 size fits the 14-inch setup, while the 195/60R15 size fits the 15-inch setup.
That makes rim diameter the first fitment detail to verify before ordering tires. A quick look at the current tire size usually answers the question, but it is still smart to confirm the actual wheel on the car in case it has been changed over the years.
Do all 1989 Mazda MX-6 sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 1989 Mazda MX-6 sub-models share the same overall tire-size choices rather than having completely separate fitments. DX, GT, GT 4WS, and LX can all use either 185/70R14 or 195/60R15, depending on the wheel diameter on the individual car.
That means trim level alone does not settle the question. The practical step is to identify whether your MX-6 is wearing 14-inch or 15-inch wheels, then choose within that size by sidewall style, brand, and the kind of visual presentation or road use you have in mind.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1989 Mazda MX-6?
Start with the correct size and wheel diameter, since the 1989 Mazda MX-6 uses either 185/70R14 or 195/60R15. After that, compare radial tire construction, sidewall style, brand, tire series, and any rim-width details that matter for the wheels currently on the car.
The right choice depends on how the MX-6 is used and how you want it to look. A blackwall tire keeps a clean, understated appearance, while whitewall, redline, or RWL options can push the car toward a more distinctive period-style presentation on the correct wheel size.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Mazda MX-6 tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1989 Mazda MX-6 include blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and RWL depending on the tire size selected. Blackwall options appear in both sizes, while the 15-inch fitment opens the door to more appearance-oriented choices such as redline and raised white letter styling.
That variety lets the tire do more than simply fit the car. Owners focused on a restrained late-1980s look may lean toward blackwalls, while a more custom or nostalgic presentation may point toward whitewall, redline, or RWL, provided the tire matches the wheel diameter already on the car.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Mazda MX-6?
Tires for the 1989 Mazda MX-6 are available from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein across the two primary radial sizes. Brand coverage depends on the size, with the 185/70R14 fitment offering the broadest spread of manufacturers in the current selection.
Brand is only one part of the decision, since tire series and sidewall treatment can matter just as much on this car. Once the wheel diameter is confirmed, compare the available options within that size for the kind of appearance, specification range, and driving purpose that best suits your MX-6.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Mazda MX-6?
A period-style 1989 Mazda MX-6 tire choice starts with the correct wheel diameter and one of the two proper radial sizes: 185/70R14 or 195/60R15. From there, the most suitable option depends on whether the goal is a clean blackwall presentation or a more distinctive whitewall, redline, or RWL look.
For many restorations, the tire should support the car's overall era and stance rather than overpower it. When exact originality matters, compare your MX-6 against marque references, period photos, and vehicle-specific documentation so the selected sidewall style complements the restoration without guesswork.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1989 Mazda MX-6?
On a restored 1989 Mazda MX-6, construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are radial in both correct sizes. That means the visual difference usually comes less from bias-ply versus radial appearance and more from sidewall treatment, tread style, and the proportions created by the 14-inch or 15-inch wheel setup.
A restored MX-6 can look noticeably different depending on whether it wears blackwalls, whitewalls, redlines, or raised white letters. Matching the tire to the wheel diameter already on the car helps preserve the intended stance, while the sidewall choice does most of the work in shaping the final period-style impression.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Mazda MX-6?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1989 Mazda MX-6 even when the tire size itself is one of the correct primary sizes. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, offset differences, lowering, suspension work, or body alterations can all change the clearance picture around the tire.
That is why the current wheel and chassis setup should be checked before settling on 185/70R14 or 195/60R15. Looking at steering clearance, inner fender space, and the relationship between tire and suspension parts is especially worthwhile when the car no longer sits on its original-style wheel package.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Mazda MX-6 on new tires?
Before driving a 1989 Mazda MX-6 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the wheel diameter matches the chosen size, and make sure the tires are inflated properly for the setup being used. It also helps to check for suspension wear, alignment issues, and any signs of rubbing at full steering lock.
Collector-era cars often spend time parked, so the rest of the tire system deserves attention too. Valve stems, wheel condition, lug hardware, and any existing vibration or pull should be addressed before a longer drive, especially if the MX-6 has sat for extended periods or has changed hands recently.
How should tires on a collector 1989 Mazda MX-6 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1989 Mazda MX-6 should be checked regularly for air pressure, tread wear, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of uneven wear. Even when mileage is low, age and storage conditions matter, especially on a car that may spend more time parked than driven.
Keeping the car out of prolonged sunlight, excessive heat, and moisture helps preserve tire condition over time. It is also smart to inspect the tires before each driving season and before any longer trip, since a low-use coupe can develop age-related issues that are easy to miss during casual garage storage.
