The 1991 Ford Tempo sits in the practical front-wheel-drive sedan era that defined a lot of everyday American driving in the early 1990s. Whether kept as a survivor, maintained as a dependable older commuter, or preserved as a recognizable piece of Ford family-car history, this is a vehicle where correct tire sizing still matters. The 1991 Ford Tempo uses a 185/70R14 radial tire on a 14-inch rim across its covered sub-models. That opens the door to several distinct choices, including blackwall touring-style radials and a wide whitewall option for a more vintage-leaning presentation. The key is matching the right 14-inch radial to the car's wheel setup, intended use, and appearance goals.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1991 Ford Tempo
The 1991 Ford Tempo uses one primary tire size: 185/70R14, a metric radial built for a 14-inch rim. That fitment carries across the covered GL, GLS, L, L AWD, LX, LX AWD, and Sport models, so the main decision is not which size fits, but which 185/70R14 tire best matches the car's intended road use, wheel width, and preferred appearance.
The 185/70R14 size uses a metric sizing system: 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 a 1991 Ford Tempo, this is the primary radial fitment and it suits the car's modern-for-its-era suspension and everyday driving character. Available choices include blackwall tires from Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, along with a BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial in a 2.25 inch wide whitewall. This size is the right starting point when the goal is to keep the Tempo on its proper 14-inch radial fitment while choosing the look and product character that best suits the car.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1991 Ford Tempo sub-models because each one uses the same 185/70R14 radial size. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that the car remains on its expected 14-inch wheel setup, especially if it has seen wheel or suspension changes over time.
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1991 Ford Tempo GL
The 1991 Ford Tempo GL uses the shared 185/70R14 radial fitment used across the covered Tempo range. Tire selection is therefore centered on choosing the right 14-inch radial by wheel-width compatibility, intended driving use, and whether a traditional blackwall or wide whitewall presentation better suits the car.
The 1991 Ford Tempo GLS follows the same 185/70R14 radial tire fitment as the other listed sub-models. That makes the decision more about product style and wheel compatibility than about size, with blackwall and wide whitewall choices available in this fitment.
The 1991 Ford Tempo L uses the common 185/70R14 radial size on a 14-inch rim. With size choice already settled, the next step is selecting a tire that matches the car's wheel width, appearance goals, and the kind of road use expected from an older Tempo.
The 1991 Ford Tempo L AWD also uses the shared 185/70R14 radial fitment. On an all-wheel-drive Tempo, it becomes especially important to confirm that all four tires match in size and overall setup before choosing among the available blackwall or whitewall options.
The 1991 Ford Tempo LX stays with the same 185/70R14 radial tire size found across the covered line. That gives the buyer room to focus on brand, tire series, and sidewall style while still keeping the proper 14-inch fitment in view.
The 1991 Ford Tempo LX AWD uses 185/70R14 radial tires, matching the rest of the listed Tempo sub-models. Because the size remains consistent, the practical choice is among the available tire types and sidewall treatments while confirming wheel width and a matched four-tire setup.
The 1991 Ford Tempo Sport uses the same 185/70R14 radial size as the other covered Tempo variants. That means tire selection comes down to the character of the available 14-inch radials, whether the goal is a straightforward blackwall look or a more distinctive period-style whitewall 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 1991 Ford Tempo Tires for Sale
Available 185/70R14 choices for the 1991 Ford Tempo span BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Most are blackwall radials, while the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial adds a 2.25 inch wide whitewall option, and rim-width specs vary across the product range.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 185/70R14
These FAQs focus on the 1991 Ford Tempo's 185/70R14 fitment, 14-inch wheel compatibility, available radial tire choices, sidewall styles, and the basic checks worth making before putting an older Tempo back into regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1991 Ford Tempo?
The 1991 Ford Tempo uses a 185/70R14 radial tire. That size applies across the covered GL, GLS, L, L AWD, LX, LX AWD, and Sport sub-models, making fitment more straightforward than on vehicles that changed size by trim or package.
Even with one shared size, it is still smart to confirm that the car still has its correct 14-inch wheels and has not been altered with aftermarket rims. On an older Tempo, wheel changes, suspension work, or replacement parts over the years can affect what fits comfortably and what should be chosen in the available 185/70R14 range.
What size rim does a 1991 Ford Tempo use?
The 1991 Ford Tempo uses a 14-inch rim with its 185/70R14 tire size. The tire size itself confirms that rim diameter, and the available tires for this fitment are all built around the same 14-inch wheel diameter.
Rim diameter is only part of the picture, so the actual wheel width matters too when comparing tire choices. Several 185/70R14 products carry different approved rim-width ranges, so it helps to measure the wheels on the car before selecting among blackwall or wide whitewall options, especially if the Tempo has replacement or aftermarket wheels.
Do all 1991 Ford Tempo sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1991 Ford Tempo GL, GLS, L, L AWD, LX, LX AWD, and Sport models all use the same 185/70R14 radial tire size. That means the basic fitment question is consistent across the listed Tempo sub-models.
Shared size does not eliminate the need to inspect the car itself. A Tempo that has been changed over time may have different wheels than expected, and AWD models especially benefit from a matched four-tire setup in the same size and general condition. Confirming the actual wheel and tire arrangement on the car remains a worthwhile step before choosing a replacement.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 185/70R14 tire for a 1991 Ford Tempo?
Start with the correct size and construction: the 1991 Ford Tempo uses a 185/70R14 radial on a 14-inch rim. From there, compare the available tire's rim-width compatibility, sidewall style, brand, tire series, and any load figure that is relevant to how the car will be driven and maintained.
A Tempo kept as a clean survivor may call for a different look than one used mainly for occasional local driving. Blackwall choices keep a more understated appearance, while the wide whitewall BFGoodrich changes the visual character considerably. Matching the tire to the wheel width and the car's intended use is more useful than treating all 185/70R14 options as interchangeable.
What sidewall styles are available for 1991 Ford Tempo tires?
The available 185/70R14 tires for a 1991 Ford Tempo include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Most of the choices in this size are blackwall radials, while the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial offers a 2.25 inch wide whitewall for a more distinctive appearance.
Sidewall style changes the car's visual impression more than the size itself, so it is worth deciding whether the Tempo should look restrained, sporty, or more restoration-oriented. A blackwall usually suits the car's original era more naturally, while a whitewall creates a custom or nostalgic look. The best choice depends on the owner's appearance goals rather than fitment alone.
What brands offer tires for the 1991 Ford Tempo?
185/70R14 tires for the 1991 Ford Tempo are available from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Those brands appear across several tire series, including Silvertown Radial, CR6ZZ, Sport Classic, Michelin XAS, and Sprint Classic.
Brand choice is most helpful when it reflects the kind of tire being sought, not just the name on the sidewall. Some options lean toward a classic touring presentation, while others have a more performance-oriented or specialty feel. It makes sense to compare sidewall style, approved rim width, and overall character of the tire series before narrowing the field.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1991 Ford Tempo?
A period-style 1991 Ford Tempo should begin with the correct 185/70R14 radial size on a 14-inch rim. Within that fitment, the most natural appearance usually comes from a blackwall radial, since that look aligns well with an early-1990s everyday Ford sedan.
The final choice depends on whether the goal is an authentic everyday presentation or a more stylized collector look. A wide whitewall can create a distinctive custom appearance, but it changes the Tempo's visual tone noticeably. When exact restoration accuracy matters, compare the tire's appearance with original photography, sales literature, or marque-specific references before deciding.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1991 Ford Tempo?
For a 1991 Ford Tempo, construction is straightforward because the primary fitment is already a radial. That means appearance differences come less from bias-ply versus radial choice and more from the sidewall treatment, tread presentation, and the overall character of the tire series selected in 185/70R14.
On a restored or well-preserved Tempo, the visual contrast between blackwall and wide whitewall will be far more noticeable than any construction discussion. A blackwall keeps the car closer to its original-era everyday look, while a whitewall pushes it toward a custom or nostalgia-influenced presentation. Choosing the tire should support the kind of restoration story the car is meant to tell.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1991 Ford Tempo?
Yes. A 1991 Ford Tempo is sized around a 185/70R14 tire, but aftermarket wheels, changed wheel width, suspension repairs, lowering, or body work can all affect what fits properly. Even when the size remains the same, the actual wheel and surrounding clearance can change the final fitment picture.
That is why the car should be checked as it sits today rather than assumed to be untouched. Verify the wheel diameter and width, then look at clearance around struts, steering components, and fender edges. On AWD versions, keeping a consistent four-tire setup is especially important when replacing worn or mismatched tires.
What should I inspect before driving a 1991 Ford Tempo on new tires?
Before driving a 1991 Ford Tempo on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the 14-inch rim size, and make sure the wheel width matches the tire's approved range. It also helps to check alignment, suspension wear, and the condition of valve stems so the new tires start on a sound foundation.
An older Tempo deserves a broader road-use check as well. Look for uneven old-tire wear that may point to steering or suspension issues, then confirm proper inflation once the new tires are mounted. A short initial drive followed by another inspection for clearance, rubbing, and air retention is a sensible way to catch problems early.
How often should tires on a 1991 Ford Tempo be inspected?
Tires on a 1991 Ford Tempo should be inspected regularly, especially if the car sees infrequent use or long periods of storage. Check for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and air loss, and pay attention to how the car feels on the road after sitting for extended periods.
A collector-era or lightly used Tempo can age its tires long before it wears them out, so visual condition matters as much as tread depth. Frequent checks of pressure and general condition help protect the wheels and suspension from added strain. Extra attention before longer drives is worthwhile, particularly on a car that spends more time parked than driven.