The 1996 Dodge Stealth came at the end of the model’s run, carrying the sleek, technology-heavy sport coupe character that defined many Japanese-American performance collaborations of the 1990s. For buyers today, tire fitment is closely tied to trim level, because this Stealth uses three different radial sizes across the Base, R/T, and R/T Turbo models. That makes the first step confirming whether the car is on its original 15-, 16-, or 17-inch wheel setup. From there, the choice shifts to the kind of look and road use you want, with options ranging from traditional whitewall and redline treatments to blackwall performance radials and raised white letter styling.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1996 Dodge Stealth
The 1996 Dodge Stealth uses three primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. The Base, R/T, and R/T Turbo do not share the same fitment, so confirming whether the car has 15-, 16-, or 17-inch wheels is the first step before comparing tire options. Once that is settled, the real decision becomes selecting the right radial tire style, series, and intended use within that size.
205/65R15 is a metric radial size in which 205 is the section width in millimeters, 65 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1996 Dodge Stealth, this size is used on a 15-inch wheel and keeps the selection focused on radial construction rather than a bias-ply-versus-radial decision. Available choices in this size include BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial options with wide whitewall or redline sidewall treatments. It is a useful fitment to evaluate when the car has the Base wheel setup and the owner wants either a distinctive appearance choice or a more restoration-oriented presentation.
225/55R16 is a metric radial size that uses a 225-millimeter section width, a 55-series profile, and a 16-inch rim diameter. For the 1996 Dodge Stealth, this size places the focus on modern radial fitment for the 16-inch wheel setup rather than on vintage tire construction questions. In this size, BFGoodrich offers blackwall g-Force series options, including Sport Comp 2 and Comp 2 AS variations. It is the right size to consider when the car is an R/T and the buyer wants to compare performance-oriented radial choices while keeping the correct 16-inch fitment in view.
245/45R17 is a metric radial size with a 245-millimeter section width, a 45-series profile, and a 17-inch rim diameter. On the 1996 Dodge Stealth, this size supports the largest wheel fitment of the three primary options and brings the broadest product variety. Choices include blackwall performance radials from BFGoodrich and Nitto, an M&H Racemaster drag radial, and Pro-Trac Street Pro III versions in raised white letter or redline sidewall form. This is the size to evaluate carefully when selecting for an R/T Turbo, especially if the car’s intended use leans toward street performance, appearance, or specialized traction needs.
Tire fitment on the 1996 Dodge Stealth varies by sub-model, so identifying the exact trim is essential before choosing a tire. Each covered version uses its own radial size and wheel diameter, which affects both the available products and the type of appearance or performance options worth comparing.
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1996 Dodge Stealth Base
The 1996 Dodge Stealth Base uses a 205/65R15 radial tire on a 15-inch wheel setup. That makes tire selection more about choosing between available sidewall treatments, such as wide whitewall or redline, while keeping the correct metric radial size for the car.
The 1996 Dodge Stealth R/T uses a 225/55R16 radial tire on a 16-inch rim. For this sub-model, the main decision is comparing the available blackwall performance-oriented radial options while confirming that the car still carries the proper 16-inch wheel package.
The 1996 Dodge Stealth R/T Turbo uses a 245/45R17 radial tire on a 17-inch wheel. That opens up the widest product spread of the three trims, including blackwall performance tires, a drag radial, and appearance-focused raised white letter or redline choices.
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 1996 Dodge Stealth Tires for Sale
Available 1996 Dodge Stealth tire choices vary by trim-specific size, with BFGoodrich, Nitto, M&H Racemaster, and Pro-Trac offerings across performance-oriented series and sidewall styles. Depending on size, the comparison may involve blackwall, redline, wide whitewall, or raised white letter presentation.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2 Inch Whitewall | 205/65R15
Common 1996 Dodge Stealth tire questions usually come down to trim-specific sizing, wheel diameter, radial fitment, and how the available sidewall and product choices suit the way the car is driven and presented.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1996 Dodge Stealth?
The 1996 Dodge Stealth uses three different tire sizes depending on sub-model. The Base uses 205/65R15, the R/T uses 225/55R16, and the R/T Turbo uses 245/45R17. All three are radial tire fitments, and each one matches a different wheel diameter.
The most important step is confirming the exact trim level and the actual wheel size currently on the car. Many older sport coupes have had wheels changed over time, so the tire size should match both the sub-model and the installed rim diameter before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or performance-oriented tire series.
What size rim does a 1996 Dodge Stealth use?
A 1996 Dodge Stealth can use a 15-inch, 16-inch, or 17-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The Base is paired with a 15-inch wheel, the R/T uses a 16-inch wheel, and the R/T Turbo uses a 17-inch wheel. Each tire size is tied to one of those diameters.
Because the Stealth does not use one universal rim size across the lineup, wheel diameter should be checked before purchasing tires. That matters even more on a car that may have seen aftermarket wheel changes, brake upgrades, or prior owner modifications, since the visible trim badge and the current wheel package are not always the same.
Why does the 1996 Dodge Stealth have more than one tire size?
The 1996 Dodge Stealth has more than one tire size because the Base, R/T, and R/T Turbo models use different wheel-and-tire packages. The three primary fitments are 205/65R15, 225/55R16, and 245/45R17, each corresponding to a specific trim level and rim diameter.
That means tire selection starts with vehicle configuration rather than personal preference alone. Once the correct sub-model and wheel size are confirmed, the buyer can compare the available tires within that fitment by sidewall style, tire series, rim-width compatibility, and the kind of street or specialty use the car is expected to see.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1996 Dodge Stealth?
Start with the correct trim-specific size: 205/65R15 for Base, 225/55R16 for R/T, or 245/45R17 for R/T Turbo. From there, the decision shifts to the type of radial tire you want, including appearance, intended road use, and compatibility with the wheel width used on the car.
Some Stealth owners may want a more distinctive look, such as redline, wide whitewall, or raised white letter styling, while others may focus on blackwall performance tires. It also helps to compare rim-width range, load figures where stated, and whether the car still has its original wheel package or has been changed over time.
What sidewall styles are available for 1996 Dodge Stealth tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1996 Dodge Stealth include wide whitewall, redline, blackwall, and raised white letter depending on the tire size. The 205/65R15 fitment includes wide whitewall and redline options, while the 245/45R17 fitment includes blackwall, redline, and raised white letter styles.
That variety means sidewall appearance can play a major role in the final choice, especially on a car whose visual presentation matters as much as basic fitment. The key is choosing the style within the correct size for the specific trim, rather than selecting a sidewall treatment first and trying to make it work afterward.
What brands offer tires for the 1996 Dodge Stealth?
Tires for the 1996 Dodge Stealth are available from BFGoodrich, Nitto, M&H Racemaster, and Pro-Trac, depending on the size. BFGoodrich appears across all three trim-related fitments, while Nitto, M&H Racemaster, and Pro-Trac are part of the 245/45R17 selection used on the R/T Turbo.
Brand choice matters mainly because it often overlaps with tire type and presentation. Some options lean toward conventional blackwall performance radial use, while others add specialized drag-radial character or more visual sidewall detail, so the better comparison is usually size first, then series, sidewall, and intended use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1996 Dodge Stealth?
A period-style 1996 Dodge Stealth tire choice starts with the correct trim-specific size and wheel diameter, since Base, R/T, and R/T Turbo models do not share one fitment. After that, appearance becomes the deciding factor, with options that range from understated blackwall performance radials to more visually distinctive redline or wide whitewall treatments.
For a cleaner 1990s sport coupe presentation, many owners will stay close to the original size format and choose a sidewall style that matches the car’s overall look. If originality is especially important, the best approach is to verify the car’s historical configuration first and then choose the tire that supports that presentation without forcing a different wheel setup.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1996 Dodge Stealth?
On a 1996 Dodge Stealth, construction is less of a visual dividing line than it is on earlier collector cars because the primary fitments are already radial. The bigger appearance change comes from the tire series and sidewall treatment, such as blackwall, redline, wide whitewall, or raised white letter styling depending on size.
That means a restored Stealth can look markedly different even when the size remains correct. A restrained blackwall tire tends to preserve a contemporary sport coupe feel, while redline or other accent sidewalls create a more customized presentation, so matching the tire’s look to the car’s trim, wheels, and restoration goal becomes especially important.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1996 Dodge Stealth?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1996 Dodge Stealth even when the nominal tire size looks close to stock. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width or offset, suspension lowering, brake changes, or body modifications can all change the clearance picture around the tire and wheel assembly.
A Stealth that has been modified should be checked at the wheel, not just by trim badge or catalog size. Tire selection is much safer when rim diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and fender space are verified on the actual car, especially on the R/T Turbo fitment where the 17-inch setup is already the largest of the three.
What should I inspect before driving a 1996 Dodge Stealth on new tires?
Before driving a 1996 Dodge Stealth on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the tires are mounted in the proper size for the trim, and check inflation pressure carefully. It is also wise to look over the suspension, alignment condition, and any signs of rubbing or clearance problems at full steering lock.
A short, careful road test can reveal issues that are easy to miss while the car is parked. Watch for vibration, pulling, unusual noise, or contact at the fender or inner wheelhouse, and recheck pressure after the initial drive so the car starts service on a sound, stable tire-and-wheel setup.
How should tires on a collector 1996 Dodge Stealth be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1996 Dodge Stealth should be checked regularly for pressure, tread condition, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of slow air loss. Cars that spend long periods parked deserve extra attention because aging and underinflation can become problems even when annual mileage is low.
Storage habits matter as much as mileage on a low-use sport coupe. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and a quick inspection before each drive is a smart routine, particularly when the Stealth has been sitting for extended periods between outings.
