The 1989 Mitsubishi Galant sits in the late-1980s sport-sedan and family-sedan landscape, a period when import buyers expected sharper road manners, cleaner styling, and modern radial tire fitment. For this exact model year, tire selection starts with confirming whether the car uses 185/70R14 or 195/60R15, since both are primary sizes and they ride on different wheel diameters. That choice also shapes the look of the car, from understated blackwall radials to wide whitewall, redline, or raised white letter options in the available sizes. Getting the right setup means matching the tire to the correct sub-model, wheel, and intended appearance before looking deeper at product differences.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Mitsubishi Galant
The 1989 Mitsubishi Galant uses two primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Both are metric radial fitments, but one uses a 14-inch rim and the other uses a 15-inch rim, so confirming the actual wheel on the car is the first step before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or tire series.
185/70R14 is a metric radial size in which 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1989 Mitsubishi Galant, this size serves the sub-models that use a 14-inch wheel and keeps the selection centered on modern radial construction. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall styles from brands such as BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein across several series. It is the right size to evaluate when the car retains its 14-inch wheel setup and the goal is either a clean road-going look or a more restoration-oriented presentation.
195/60R15 is a metric radial size that uses a 195-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter. On the 1989 Mitsubishi Galant, this size belongs to the configuration that uses a 15-inch wheel, so wheel confirmation matters before anything else. Product choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles, with BFGoodrich and Michelin offerings in more than one tire series. This size is the one to focus on when the car is equipped with the 15-inch setup and the buyer wants to compare both appearance-driven and more contemporary radial presentations.
Tire fitment for the 1989 Mitsubishi Galant varies by sub-model, and the difference also brings a change in wheel diameter. Identifying whether the car is a Base, GS, or LS model is the simplest way to narrow the tire search before comparing specific product options.
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1989 Mitsubishi Galant Base
The 1989 Mitsubishi Galant Base uses the 185/70R14 radial size. That keeps the buying decision centered on choosing among blackwall or wide whitewall options, comparing tire series, and confirming that the car still wears the correct 14-inch wheels.
The 1989 Mitsubishi Galant GS uses the 195/60R15 radial size. Selection here starts with the 15-inch wheel setup, then moves into sidewall treatment choices such as blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, or raised white letter depending on the look you want.
The 1989 Mitsubishi Galant LS uses the 185/70R14 radial size, matching the 14-inch wheel fitment used on another covered sub-model. That makes the main decision less about alternate sizing and more about choosing the tire series, sidewall appearance, and wheel compatibility that suit the 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 Mitsubishi Galant Tires for Sale
Available 1989 Mitsubishi Galant tire choices span both primary sizes, with radial options from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Depending on size, buyers can compare blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter sidewalls along with several distinct tire series and rim-width specifications.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 185/70R14
1989 Mitsubishi Galant owners usually need to sort out exact tire size by sub-model first, then compare wheel diameter, sidewall style, product series, and general road-use checks before putting the car back into regular service.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Mitsubishi Galant?
The 1989 Mitsubishi Galant uses either 185/70R14 or 195/60R15, depending on the sub-model. Base and LS models use 185/70R14, while the GS uses 195/60R15. Both are radial tire sizes, but they are not the same fitment because they mount on different wheel diameters.
The practical first step is identifying the exact sub-model and confirming the wheel currently on the car. Many older cars have had wheel changes over time, so checking the tire sidewall and measuring the wheel diameter helps prevent ordering a 14-inch tire for a 15-inch wheel, or the reverse.
What size rim does a 1989 Mitsubishi Galant use?
A 1989 Mitsubishi Galant uses either a 14-inch or 15-inch rim, depending on the tire size and sub-model. The 185/70R14 fitment uses a 14-inch rim, and the 195/60R15 fitment uses a 15-inch rim. That rim difference is one of the most important details in the tire search.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed before comparing tire brands or sidewall styles. It also helps to verify wheel width, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels, because product offerings in these sizes can carry different approved rim-width ranges that may affect which tire is the better match.
Do all 1989 Mitsubishi Galant sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1989 Mitsubishi Galant Base and LS use 185/70R14, while the GS uses 195/60R15. That means the covered sub-models do not all share the same primary tire size, and the difference is tied to both the tire itself and the wheel diameter.
That distinction matters because a tire chosen for the GS should not be treated as the default fitment for the Base or LS. If the car has been modified or the trim is uncertain, checking the existing tire markings and actual wheel size is the safest way to match the car to the right fitment.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1989 Mitsubishi Galant tire?
Start with the correct primary size for the exact sub-model: 185/70R14 for Base and LS, or 195/60R15 for GS. From there, compare radial tire series, sidewall style, and wheel compatibility. Available products also vary by brand and, in some cases, approved rim-width range and load specification.
The right choice depends on how the car is used and how you want it to look. A blackwall radial gives a more understated appearance, while whitewall, redline, or raised white letter options change the presentation noticeably. Matching the tire to the car’s actual wheel setup is just as important as choosing the visual style.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Mitsubishi Galant tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1989 Mitsubishi Galant include blackwall and wide whitewall in 185/70R14, while 195/60R15 adds even more variety with blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter options. Those differences can change the car’s character even when the tire size remains correct.
A buyer focused on a cleaner late-1980s road-car appearance may lean toward blackwall, while whitewall or redline options create a more stylized presentation. Raised white letter tires bring a more performance-themed look. The key is to keep the appearance choice secondary to proper size and wheel-diameter matching.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Mitsubishi Galant?
Tires for the 1989 Mitsubishi Galant are available from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, depending on the size. The 185/70R14 fitment has the broadest brand spread, while 195/60R15 includes BFGoodrich and Michelin options in more than one sidewall or series configuration.
Brand alone should not be the only filter. It helps to compare the tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width compatibility for the exact size your Galant uses. That approach makes it easier to separate a visually oriented choice from one aimed at a more restrained, everyday radial presentation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Mitsubishi Galant?
A period-style 1989 Mitsubishi Galant tire choice begins with the correct size for the sub-model, then moves to the appearance you want within that fitment. Blackwall radials keep a more understated late-1980s look, while wide whitewall, redline, or raised white letter options can push the car toward a more customized or stylized presentation.
The most convincing result usually comes from matching the sidewall treatment to the car’s trim level, wheel design, and overall restoration direction rather than choosing by brand name alone. If exact originality matters, marque-specific references and period photography are better guides than assuming any available sidewall was used when new.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1989 Mitsubishi Galant?
For the 1989 Mitsubishi Galant, the primary fitments are radial, so the construction itself aligns with the car’s era. Appearance changes come more from tire size, profile, and sidewall style than from choosing between bias-ply and radial. In practical terms, the visual difference is mainly between blackwall, whitewall, redline, and raised white letter treatments.
That means a restoration-minded buyer can stay within the correct radial construction and still shape the car’s finished look quite a bit. A lower-profile 195/60R15 setup on the GS will naturally present differently from the 185/70R14 fitment on Base or LS models, so keeping the sub-model and wheel package straight is important.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Mitsubishi Galant?
Yes. Wheel changes, suspension alterations, lowering, or non-original offsets can all affect tire fitment on a 1989 Mitsubishi Galant. That matters here because the car already uses two different primary sizes tied to two different rim diameters, so an altered setup can blur what should be a straightforward sub-model match.
A car with aftermarket wheels should be checked for actual wheel diameter and width before choosing between 185/70R14 and 195/60R15 products. Clearance at the fender, suspension, and steering range is also worth confirming, especially if the car has sat for years and is being returned to road use after modifications.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Mitsubishi Galant on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the car’s sub-model and wheel diameter, and look over the suspension and steering for looseness or wear. It also helps to check for old alignment issues, since irregular wear on the previous tires can signal a problem that new tires will not fix.
The tires themselves should be set to the appropriate pressure and examined after initial installation for any rubbing, unusual stance, or visible clearance issue. A short test drive followed by another visual check can catch contact problems early, particularly if the Galant has replacement wheels or a changed ride height.
How should tires on a collector 1989 Mitsubishi Galant be maintained?
Collector-car tire maintenance starts with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and periodic movement of the car so the tires are not left supporting weight in one position for long stretches. Sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, tread damage, and slow air loss deserve attention even when the car is driven only occasionally.
Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on a low-use 1989 Mitsubishi Galant. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires over time. It is also smart to recheck tire condition before any longer drive, even if the tread still looks barely used.
