The 1989 Plymouth Horizon belongs to the final years of Chrysler’s long-running front-wheel-drive compact that served practical daily transportation through the 1980s. For owners keeping one on the road today, tire choice is less about decoding multiple factory fitments and more about matching the car’s original scale and character. The 1989 Plymouth Horizon uses a 165/80R13 radial on a 13-inch rim, giving it a straightforward modern metric fitment. Available choices in that size include traditional whitewall treatments from BFGoodrich and Maxxis. The real decision comes down to appearance, wheel compatibility, and choosing a tire that suits a well-kept survivor or a tidy period-style restoration.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Plymouth Horizon
The 1989 Plymouth Horizon uses one primary tire size: 165/80R13. It is a radial fitment for a 13-inch rim, and the Horizon America uses that same size as well. That means the main decision is not between multiple factory sizes, but between available tire styles, sidewall presentation, and confirming that the car still has the correct wheel setup before selecting a tire.
A 165/80R13 tire uses a 165-millimeter nominal section width, an 80-series profile, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. On the 1989 Plymouth Horizon, this is the standard-sized radial fitment and keeps the car in the compact metric format typical of the period. Available options include BFGoodrich and Maxxis offerings, with wide whitewall and narrow whitewall sidewall treatments for owners who want a more traditional presentation. Choosing within this size usually comes down to the look you want and making sure the wheel width remains compatible with the tire.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1989 Plymouth Horizon sub-models. The key point is simply confirming that the car still uses the original 13-inch wheel setup, since the Horizon America shares the same primary tire size.
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1989 Plymouth Horizon America
The 1989 Plymouth Horizon America uses the same 165/80R13 radial fitment as the model core. That keeps tire selection simple, with the choice centered on whitewall style, brand preference, and verifying that the wheels remain within the tire’s compatible width range.
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 Plymouth Horizon Tires for Sale
Available 165/80R13 choices include BFGoodrich and Maxxis radial tires with whitewall styling differences. The main comparison points in the product grid are tire series, wide versus narrow whitewall appearance, and shared 13-inch fitment with a 4.50 to 6.00-inch rim-width range.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 165/80R13
Common questions for the 1989 Plymouth Horizon usually focus on the 165/80R13 tire size, 13-inch rim fitment, whitewall choices, product differences, and the checks worth making before putting a lightly used collector-era compact back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Plymouth Horizon?
The 1989 Plymouth Horizon uses a 165/80R13 radial tire. That size combines a 165-millimeter section width, an 80-series profile, and a 13-inch rim diameter, which matches the compact metric fitment used on this car.
Tire selection is mostly about staying with that size and confirming the car still has the correct 13-inch wheels. A Horizon that has had wheel changes over the years should be checked carefully before ordering, since overall fitment depends on wheel width and the actual setup currently on the vehicle.
What size rim does a 1989 Plymouth Horizon use?
The 1989 Plymouth Horizon uses a 13-inch rim with its 165/80R13 tire size. Available tires in this fitment are built for a 13-inch wheel and carry a compatible rim-width range of 4.50 to 6.00 inches.
Diameter is the first thing to confirm, but wheel width matters too. A Horizon that still wears stock-style wheels is usually straightforward, while a car with replacement wheels should be measured so the new tire matches both the 13-inch diameter and the usable width range for safe, proper mounting.
Does the 1989 Plymouth Horizon America use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1989 Plymouth Horizon America uses the same 165/80R13 radial tire size as the main 1989 Plymouth Horizon fitment. That keeps the size decision simple across the covered configuration.
Even with shared fitment, it is still worth checking the wheels actually on the car. Many older compact cars have seen wheel swaps, seasonal wheel sets, or long-term storage, so confirming 13-inch diameter, wheel width, and general clearance helps prevent ordering a tire that matches the model but not the current hardware.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165/80R13 tire for a 1989 Plymouth Horizon?
Start with the correct size, 165/80R13, and make sure the tire is suited to a 13-inch rim in the proper width range. On this Horizon fitment, the available products are radial tires, so the main differences are brand, tire series, and sidewall appearance rather than switching between completely different constructions.
After size and wheel compatibility, think about how the car is being used and presented. A survivor-style Horizon may call for a different look than a simple driver, and whitewall width can noticeably change the car’s visual character even when the underlying tire size remains exactly the same.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Plymouth Horizon tires?
The available 165/80R13 tires for a 1989 Plymouth Horizon include whitewall variations rather than plain blackwall alternatives in this assortment. Choices include a 2.25-inch wide whitewall and a 0.625-inch narrow whitewall, giving the car two distinct traditional looks within the same fitment.
Sidewall style does not change the required tire size, but it does change the car’s appearance considerably. A wider whitewall leans more toward a pronounced vintage presentation, while a narrower whitewall is subtler, so the better choice depends on whether the Horizon is being preserved as a tidy original-style driver or given a stronger period look.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Plymouth Horizon?
BFGoodrich and Maxxis both offer 165/80R13 radial tires for the 1989 Plymouth Horizon. In this fitment, BFGoodrich appears in the Silvertown Radial line, while Maxxis appears in the Classic Whitewall MA-1 series.
Brand choice should be considered alongside sidewall style, tire series, and wheel compatibility rather than by name alone. Since both options share the same basic size, the more useful comparison is how each tire fits the appearance of the car and whether its specifications align with the wheels currently installed.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Plymouth Horizon?
A period-style 1989 Plymouth Horizon starts with the correct 165/80R13 size and radial construction. From there, the visual decision centers on the available whitewall treatments, since both BFGoodrich and Maxxis offer this size with a traditional sidewall presentation rather than turning the choice into a different fitment altogether.
The right selection depends on how the car is being presented. A wider whitewall creates a stronger nostalgic statement, while a narrow whitewall keeps the effect more restrained, and buyers seeking exact restoration-level originality should compare the tire’s look against period photos, marque references, or surviving examples of similarly equipped cars.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1989 Plymouth Horizon?
On the 1989 Plymouth Horizon, the primary fitment is already radial, so construction change is not the main appearance issue. The visual character comes more from keeping the correct 165/80R13 proportions and selecting a sidewall treatment that suits the car’s late-1980s compact profile.
A restored Horizon can look noticeably different depending on whitewall width, even when the tire size stays correct. Preserving the proper overall scale matters just as much as sidewall styling, because a tire that is the right size helps the car sit and present itself in a way that remains true to its original compact stance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Plymouth Horizon?
Yes. A 1989 Plymouth Horizon may have started with a 165/80R13 tire on a 13-inch rim, but aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, or body modifications can alter what works on the car today. Even a correct nominal tire size can become a problem if the wheel dimensions are no longer appropriate.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed first, followed by width and general clearance at the fenders and steering components. A Horizon that has been lowered, fitted with replacement wheels, or rebuilt with non-stock parts deserves a careful physical check so the new tire matches the actual vehicle setup rather than just the original fitment.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Plymouth Horizon on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the tire size and rim dimensions, and make sure each tire is mounted and inflated properly. It is also wise to check suspension and steering components for looseness or wear, especially on an older compact that may have spent long periods parked.
Tires work best when the rest of the car is ready for them. A short pre-drive inspection should include looking for rubbing at full steering lock, checking for fluid leaks that could contaminate rubber, and making sure lug hardware and wheel seating surfaces are in sound condition before any regular driving resumes.
How should 165/80R13 tires on a collector 1989 Plymouth Horizon be maintained?
Collector-era 165/80R13 tires should be checked regularly for air loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, bulges, and cuts, even if the 1989 Plymouth Horizon is driven only occasionally. Low annual mileage does not stop rubber from aging, so condition matters just as much as tread depth on a lightly used car.
Storage conditions make a real difference over time. Keeping the Horizon away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and periodic inspections are important before every drive season so an older set does not stay in service simply because the car has not been used much.
