The 1989 Mercury Tracer came to market as a practical compact with front-wheel-drive packaging and the kind of efficient, everyday character that defined many late-1980s small cars. Today, surviving examples are often appreciated for their clean simplicity and light, usable footprint. Tire fitment for the 1989 Mercury Tracer is straightforward, centered on one primary size: 175/70R13 radial. That keeps the decision focused less on finding the right size and more on selecting the right tire within that fitment, including construction, series, and sidewall presentation. For an original-style street car, the main goal is confirming the 13-inch wheel setup and choosing a tire that matches the car's intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Mercury Tracer
The 1989 Mercury Tracer uses one primary tire size: 175/70R13. It is a radial fitment for a 13-inch rim, and the covered Base sub-model uses that same size, so the key decision is not between multiple primary fitments but between available tire choices within the correct size and wheel setup.
175/70R13 is a metric radial size in which 175 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1989 Mercury Tracer, this is the primary road-going fitment and suits the car's compact late-1980s tire profile. Available choices in this size include Avon, using the CR6ZZ series with a Blackwall sidewall treatment. This size is the right place to start when the car retains its original 13-inch wheel diameter and you want to keep fitment aligned with the Tracer's intended proportions.
Tire fitment is simple across the covered 1989 Mercury Tracer sub-model range. The Base model uses the same primary size, so the focus shifts from sub-model differences to confirming wheel diameter and selecting the right tire within that fitment.
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1989 Mercury Tracer Base
The 1989 Mercury Tracer Base uses the same 175/70R13 radial fitment as the model core. That keeps tire selection centered on matching the 13-inch wheel and choosing the product characteristics that best suit a stock-style driver or lightly preserved original car.
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 Mercury Tracer Tires for Sale
Available 175/70R13 choices for the 1989 Mercury Tracer focus on radial construction in a Blackwall presentation. The current product selection centers on Avon’s CR6ZZ series, so comparison points are the tire’s intended character and wheel-width compatibility rather than multiple sidewall or construction formats.
Common 1989 Mercury Tracer tire questions usually come down to the 175/70R13 size, 13-inch rim fitment, product selection within that size, and the checks worth making before putting a compact late-1980s car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Mercury Tracer?
The 1989 Mercury Tracer uses 175/70R13 tires. This is a metric radial size, and it is the primary fitment for the model covered here, including the Base sub-model.
That makes the first step simple: confirm that the car still has 13-inch wheels and that no previous owner changed the wheel and tire package. Once wheel diameter is confirmed, the decision becomes choosing the right tire within 175/70R13 based on road use, appearance, and the characteristics of the available product.
What size rim does a 1989 Mercury Tracer use?
The primary tire fitment for the 1989 Mercury Tracer is built around a 13-inch rim diameter. The 175/70R13 size uses that 13-inch wheel diameter as part of the tire code itself.
Wheel diameter should be verified before ordering tires, especially on an older compact car that may have had replacement wheels installed over the years. A 13-inch rim is only part of the picture, so it also helps to confirm actual wheel width and inspect for clearance issues if the suspension, brakes, or wheels have been changed.
Does the 1989 Mercury Tracer Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1989 Mercury Tracer Base uses the same 175/70R13 radial tire size as the model core fitment. There is no separate primary size for the Base model in this covered application.
That consistency simplifies replacement because the question is not which sub-model size applies, but whether the car still matches its expected wheel setup. It is still smart to check the actual wheels on the car, since older daily-driver compacts are often altered with later replacements, aftermarket wheels, or tires chosen for convenience rather than correct sizing.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 175/70R13 tire for a 1989 Mercury Tracer?
Start with the correct size and construction: 175/70R13 radial on a 13-inch wheel. From there, compare the tire’s series, sidewall style, and wheel-width suitability so the tire matches both the car’s setup and the way it will be driven.
A stock-style Tracer benefits from keeping its compact proportions intact, so avoiding casual size substitutions matters. It also helps to look at how the tire will be used, whether for occasional fair-weather driving, regular street use, or a preserved original car, then match that use to the available product’s specifications and general character.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Mercury Tracer tires?
The available 175/70R13 product for the 1989 Mercury Tracer uses a Blackwall sidewall style. That gives the tire a clean, understated presentation that suits many late-1980s compact cars without adding a more overt vintage sidewall treatment.
Sidewall appearance matters most when the car is being kept close to its period look. Even with a straightforward Blackwall tire, it is worth checking that the wheel design, ride height, and overall tire proportions still look balanced on the car, especially if the Tracer has replacement wheels or other visual changes.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Mercury Tracer?
Current product coverage for the 1989 Mercury Tracer’s 175/70R13 size includes Avon. In this fitment, the available tire is part of Avon’s CR6ZZ series and uses radial construction with a Blackwall sidewall.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor on a car like this. The more useful comparison is whether the tire matches the Tracer’s required size, works with the wheel width on the car, and suits the kind of driving the vehicle will actually see after storage, restoration, or routine mechanical freshening.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Mercury Tracer?
A period-style 1989 Mercury Tracer should begin with the correct 175/70R13 size and radial construction. Keeping the original overall sizing approach intact usually does more for the car’s visual balance than chasing an unrelated substitute that changes its stance or proportions.
For a restoration-oriented or preserved driver, sidewall treatment and general tire character are the next considerations. A Blackwall presentation suits many compact cars from this era, but exact originality questions are best checked against period photos, brochures, or marque-specific references if authenticity matters beyond basic fitment.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1989 Mercury Tracer restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because tire size strongly affects how a 1989 Mercury Tracer sits, steers, and looks. Using the proper 175/70R13 format helps preserve the car’s intended proportions and keeps the wheel-and-tire package in line with its late-1980s compact design.
Restoration decisions are not only cosmetic. The wrong diameter, width, or profile can create clearance problems or make the car look out of scale. Even on a modest compact, matching the proper size to the actual wheel dimensions is an important finishing step before the car goes back into regular street use.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Mercury Tracer?
Yes. Modifications such as aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered offset, suspension lowering, or brake updates can all affect tire fitment on a 1989 Mercury Tracer, even when the car originally uses a straightforward 175/70R13 size.
A modified car should be checked at the wheel rather than assumed to match stock sizing. Steering clearance, inner-fender space, and the relationship between the tire and suspension components all matter, especially on a compact platform where small dimensional changes can have a noticeable effect on rubbing or overall stance.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Mercury Tracer on new tires?
Before road use, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, air retention, lug hardware, and general suspension condition. It also makes sense to look for uneven wear patterns from the previous tires, since those can point to alignment or worn-component issues that new tires alone will not correct.
A compact car that has spent time parked deserves a careful once-over before regular driving resumes. Check for cracked bushings, weak shocks or struts, brake drag, and any sign of rubbing at full steering lock so the new 175/70R13 tires are not asked to compensate for unrelated mechanical problems.
How often should tires on a 1989 Mercury Tracer be inspected?
Tires on a 1989 Mercury Tracer should be inspected regularly, not just when mileage accumulates. A low-use car can still develop air loss, sidewall cracking, flat spotting, or age-related deterioration even if the tread looks acceptable at a glance.
Frequent visual checks are especially worthwhile on an older car that may sit for long periods between drives. Watching inflation pressure, tread wear, sidewall condition, and any new vibration or pull helps catch problems early, and storage away from prolonged sun, moisture, and ozone sources will also help preserve the tires over time.
