The 1989 Plymouth Reliant came at the end of Chrysler’s long-running K-car era, a platform remembered for practical packaging, everyday drivability, and its role in reshaping the American family sedan. For owners keeping one on the road today, tire selection is less about nostalgia alone and more about matching the exact wheel and sub-model setup. The 1989 Plymouth Reliant uses radial tires, with either 175/80R13 or 185/70R14 depending on configuration. That creates a meaningful choice between 13-inch and 14-inch fitment, along with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall presentations. The right pick starts with confirming the sub-model and wheel diameter before comparing style, series, and road-use priorities.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Plymouth Reliant
Two primary tire sizes apply to the 1989 Plymouth Reliant, and the correct one depends on the specific sub-model and wheel diameter. One setup uses a 13-inch rim and the other uses a 14-inch rim, so identifying the exact Reliant version and confirming the wheels currently on the car should come before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or tire series.
175/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 175 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1989 Plymouth Reliant, this size belongs to a 13-inch wheel setup and keeps the tire choice in a traditional passenger-car radial format. Available options include both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments from Maxxis and BFGoodrich across different series. This size makes the most sense when the car retains the proper 13-inch wheels and the goal is to balance correct fitment with the preferred sidewall appearance.
185/70R14 is a metric radial size that uses a 185-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. For the 1989 Plymouth Reliant, this size serves the 14-inch wheel configuration and opens up a broader mix of touring and classic-oriented radial choices. Available products include blackwall and wide whitewall styles from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, with several distinct tire series. This is the size to evaluate when the car is equipped with 14-inch wheels and the buyer wants to compare appearance-focused and road-use-focused radial options.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1989 Plymouth Reliant because the covered versions do not share the same tire size or wheel diameter. Choosing correctly starts with confirming whether the car is a Reliant America or a Reliant America w/AAM Pkg.
1
1989 Plymouth Reliant America
The 1989 Plymouth Reliant America uses the 175/80R13 radial tire size on a 13-inch wheel setup. That keeps the selection focused on choosing the right radial within that fitment, including whether a narrow whitewall or wide whitewall better suits the car’s intended appearance.
The 1989 Plymouth Reliant America w/AAM Pkg. uses the 185/70R14 radial size with a 14-inch wheel. That changes the tire search substantially, since this setup brings a wider range of blackwall and wide whitewall radial choices and makes wheel-diameter confirmation especially important.
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 Reliant Tires for Sale
Available 1989 Plymouth Reliant tires center on radial choices in 175/80R13 and 185/70R14, with brands including Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Buyers can compare whitewall and blackwall presentations, multiple tire series, and rim-width compatibility across the two wheel sizes.
Owners of a 1989 Plymouth Reliant usually need to confirm the right size first, then sort through wheel diameter, sub-model differences, sidewall style, and product selection. These FAQs focus on the fitment details and ownership checks that matter most before putting the car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Plymouth Reliant?
A 1989 Plymouth Reliant uses one of two radial tire sizes: 175/80R13 or 185/70R14. The correct size depends on the sub-model, with the Reliant America using 175/80R13 and the Reliant America w/AAM Pkg. using 185/70R14.
That means the first step is identifying the exact Reliant version and confirming the wheel diameter on the car today. If the car has changed wheels over the years, the original sub-model alone may not tell the whole story, so check the current rim size before choosing a tire.
What size rim does a 1989 Plymouth Reliant use?
The 1989 Plymouth Reliant uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the specific sub-model and tire size. The 175/80R13 setup uses a 13-inch wheel, while the 185/70R14 setup uses a 14-inch wheel.
Rim diameter has to match the tire exactly, so a 13-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 14-inch wheel and vice versa. It also helps to check wheel width against the tire’s recommended range, especially if the car has replacement steel wheels or aftermarket wheels from a past repair.
Do all 1989 Plymouth Reliant sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the covered 1989 Plymouth Reliant sub-models do not use the same tire size. The Reliant America uses 175/80R13, while the Reliant America w/AAM Pkg. uses 185/70R14, so the difference involves both tire size and wheel diameter.
That distinction matters because the tire search changes completely once the wheel size changes. A buyer comparing whitewall style, blackwall appearance, or tire series should first make sure the car is on the correct 13-inch or 14-inch setup before narrowing down the available radial options.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1989 Plymouth Reliant?
Start with the correct size for the car: 175/80R13 for the Reliant America or 185/70R14 for the Reliant America w/AAM Pkg. After size, the main considerations are radial construction, wheel compatibility, sidewall appearance, and how the car is used on the road.
A lightly driven survivor may point the buyer toward a traditional whitewall presentation, while a more regularly driven car may lead to a blackwall touring-style radial in the proper size. Checking rim width, load capacity, and the condition of existing wheels helps narrow the choice more intelligently than appearance alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Plymouth Reliant tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1989 Plymouth Reliant include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on the tire size. The 175/80R13 fitment includes narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options, while 185/70R14 includes blackwall and wide whitewall choices.
That gives the buyer room to shape the car’s appearance without stepping outside the proper size. A whitewall can suit a more traditional late-1980s passenger-car presentation, while blackwall choices tend to create a cleaner, more understated look, especially on the 14-inch setup with several classic-performance-style radial series.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Plymouth Reliant?
1989 Plymouth Reliant tires are available from Maxxis and BFGoodrich in 175/80R13, and from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein in 185/70R14. All of the applicable options here are radial tires, but the series and sidewall presentation vary by brand and size.
Brand choice should come after confirming the correct wheel size and tire size for the car. Once that is settled, compare the available series by intended appearance, blackwall versus whitewall presentation, and fitment details such as rim-width range rather than assuming every radial in the same nominal size suits the same setup equally.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Plymouth Reliant?
A period-style choice for a 1989 Plymouth Reliant starts with using the correct radial size for the specific sub-model and wheel diameter. From there, the most restoration-oriented visual choice usually comes down to whether the car looks more appropriate with blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall sidewalls.
The best appearance match depends on how the car is being presented today, whether as a preserved driver or a more carefully detailed survivor. When exact originality matters, it helps to verify historical details through vehicle literature or marque-specific references rather than assuming any available sidewall treatment is automatically authentic to the car.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1989 Plymouth Reliant restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1989 Plymouth Reliant restoration because the car used more than one size, and the difference also involves wheel diameter. Choosing between 175/80R13 and 185/70R14 affects both stance and overall presentation, not just whether the tire mounts to the wheel.
A restoration-minded owner should confirm the exact sub-model and inspect the wheels currently on the car before selecting sidewall style or tire series. Getting the fitment right first makes the finished car look more coherent and helps avoid a mismatch between the body, wheel setup, and the tire’s visual profile.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Plymouth Reliant?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1989 Plymouth Reliant, especially if the car has been changed from its original 13-inch or 14-inch wheel setup. Aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, replacement suspension parts, or body repairs can all change how much room the tire has in service.
A car that has been lowered, fitted with wider wheels, or repaired around the fender openings deserves a closer clearance check before a new set goes on. Turning clearance, suspension travel, and wheel width are worth confirming so the selected tire size works with the car as it actually sits today.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Plymouth Reliant on new tires?
Before driving a 1989 Plymouth Reliant on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the tire size matches the wheel diameter, and check that the valve stems and wheel hardware are in good condition. It is also smart to verify inflation and make sure the tires seat correctly.
A short initial road test can reveal rubbing, vibration, pulling, or other issues that are easier to correct early. On an older car, suspension bushings, alignment condition, and wheel-bearing wear can influence how the new tires behave, so the tire installation should be treated as part of a broader roadworthiness check.
How often should tires on a 1989 Plymouth Reliant be inspected?
Tires on a 1989 Plymouth Reliant should be inspected regularly, even if the car sees limited use. Collector and survivor-era cars often accumulate age before mileage, so tread depth alone does not tell the whole story when evaluating whether the tires remain suitable for road use.
Look for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss, and pay attention to changes after the car has been parked for long periods. Storage conditions matter as well, since prolonged heat, sunlight, and ozone exposure can shorten tire life even on a lightly driven Reliant.
