The 1996 Mitsubishi Galant sat in the heart of the midsize sedan market, offering a cleaner, more refined alternative to many of its era rivals. It is a practical modern classic now, and tire choice has a noticeable effect on how the car looks and feels on the road. This Galant uses radial tires in either 185/70R14 or 195/60R15, depending on sub-model and wheel setup. Available choices range from blackwall touring-style radials to wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter options. The key is confirming the exact sub-model and rim diameter first, then choosing the tire style that best matches the car's appearance and intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1996 Mitsubishi Galant
The 1996 Mitsubishi Galant uses two primary tire sizes, and the first step is confirming both the exact sub-model and the wheel diameter on the car. One fitment uses a 14-inch rim and the other uses a 15-inch rim, so size selection is tied directly to the wheel setup. Once that is confirmed, the decision shifts to sidewall style, tire series, and the kind of road manners or appearance you want from a radial tire.
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 1996 Mitsubishi Galant, this size serves the 14-inch wheel fitment and keeps the car in a clearly modern radial format rather than an older bias-ply sizing system. Available choices include BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, mostly in blackwall form with one wide whitewall option. It is the size to evaluate for Galants equipped with 14-inch wheels and for buyers comparing touring-oriented appearance against a more distinctive sidewall treatment.
195/60R15 is a metric radial size where 195 denotes nominal section width in millimeters, 60 indicates the aspect ratio, R means radial construction, and 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. For the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant, this size belongs to the 15-inch wheel fitment and gives the buyer a different wheel-and-tire package than the 14-inch option. Product choices include BFGoodrich and Michelin, with blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter sidewall styles available across different series. This is the size to review when the car has 15-inch wheels and the goal is to balance correct fitment with a more customized or period-inspired look.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant because tire size is not completely uniform across the range. The S uses the 14-inch fitment, the LS uses the 15-inch fitment, and the ES can appear with either setup, so confirming the exact trim and wheel diameter helps narrow the correct tire choice quickly.
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1996 Mitsubishi Galant ES
The 1996 Mitsubishi Galant ES can use either of the two primary radial tire fitments, making wheel confirmation especially important before choosing a replacement. Once the actual rim diameter is verified, selection comes down to the available tire series and whether the car calls for a blackwall, whitewall, redline, or raised white letter presentation.
The 1996 Mitsubishi Galant LS uses the 15-inch radial fitment rather than the 14-inch setup. That makes the tire decision more about choosing among the available 195/60R15 products and sidewall styles while keeping the wheel diameter and overall vehicle setup consistent.
The 1996 Mitsubishi Galant S uses the 14-inch radial fitment, which keeps tire selection straightforward once the car is confirmed to still wear its correct wheel size. Buyers can then compare several 185/70R14 options across blackwall and wide whitewall styles, along with different tire series and rim-width specifications.
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 Mitsubishi Galant Tires for Sale
Available tires for the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant span 185/70R14 and 195/60R15 radial fitments, with choices from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. The product grid is where to compare tire series, sidewall styles such as blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter, plus rim-width compatibility where it is stated.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 185/70R14
Owners of a 1996 Mitsubishi Galant usually need to sort out sub-model fitment, 14-inch versus 15-inch wheels, and the difference between appearance-driven tire choices in the correct radial size. The questions below focus on size, rim fitment, sidewall and brand selection, and the checks worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1996 Mitsubishi Galant?
A 1996 Mitsubishi Galant uses either 185/70R14 or 195/60R15 radial tires. The S uses 185/70R14, the LS uses 195/60R15, and the ES can appear with either size depending on the wheel setup on the car.
That means the correct answer starts with the exact sub-model and the actual wheel diameter rather than the model name alone. Checking the sidewall on the existing tire and confirming whether the car has 14-inch or 15-inch wheels helps prevent ordering the right tire in the wrong diameter.
What size rim does a 1996 Mitsubishi Galant use?
The 1996 Mitsubishi Galant uses either a 14-inch or 15-inch rim, depending on sub-model and tire size. The 185/70R14 fitment is built around a 14-inch rim, while the 195/60R15 fitment uses a 15-inch rim.
Rim diameter is the first fitment checkpoint because a 14-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 15-inch wheel, and the reverse is equally true. On an ES model especially, it is smart to confirm the wheel on the car now, since tire choice follows the actual rim diameter rather than trim badge alone.
Do all 1996 Mitsubishi Galant sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1996 Mitsubishi Galant S uses 185/70R14, the LS uses 195/60R15, and the ES can use either size. All of these are radial fitments, but the wheel diameter and tire size are not the same across the full model range.
That variation matters because the buying decision is not just about tread style or sidewall appearance. It starts with identifying the specific sub-model and then confirming whether the car still has its correct 14-inch or 15-inch wheels, especially if wheels may have been changed over time.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1996 Mitsubishi Galant?
Start with the correct primary size for the car: 185/70R14 or 195/60R15. After that, compare radial tire series, sidewall style, and any stated rim-width or load specifications that match how the Galant will actually be used.
Appearance can change the character of the car as much as fitment does. A blackwall keeps the look more understated, while wide whitewall, redline, or raised white letter options create a more customized presentation, so the right choice depends on whether the Galant is being kept stock-looking, mildly personalized, or shown.
What sidewall styles are available for 1996 Mitsubishi Galant tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant include blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles, depending on tire size. The 185/70R14 selection is mostly blackwall with one wide whitewall option, while 195/60R15 includes blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and RWL choices.
That variety means the visual decision is different for each size. A buyer replacing 14-inch tires has a more restrained selection, while someone shopping 15-inch tires has broader appearance options, so it helps to decide early whether the goal is subtle factory-like presentation or a more expressive period-style look.
What brands offer tires for the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant?
Tires for the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant are available from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, depending on size. The 185/70R14 fitment has the widest brand spread, while 195/60R15 choices are available from BFGoodrich and Michelin.
Brand should be compared alongside tire series, sidewall style, and wheel compatibility rather than treated as the only decision. In practice, the correct size and the look you want for the car usually narrow the field quickly, especially when one size offers mostly blackwalls and the other offers more visual variety.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1996 Mitsubishi Galant?
A period-style 1996 Mitsubishi Galant starts with the correct size for the car, which means 185/70R14 on the S, 195/60R15 on the LS, and either size on the ES depending on wheel setup. From there, blackwall tires usually maintain the most restrained 1990s sedan appearance, while whitewall, redline, or RWL choices create a more personalized look.
The most convincing result usually comes from matching the tire's visual character to the way the car is being presented. If originality matters closely, compare the car against period photos, original sales material, or marque-specific references before choosing a decorative sidewall treatment that changes the overall impression.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1996 Mitsubishi Galant?
On a restored 1996 Mitsubishi Galant, construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are radial tires in both applicable sizes. That keeps the car in the construction type most buyers expect for a mid-1990s sedan, and the visible appearance difference comes more from sidewall treatment and tire series than from a bias-ply versus radial decision.
Visual impact still matters, though. A blackwall usually reads as clean and understated, while a wide whitewall, redline, or raised white letter sidewall makes the car look more customized than stock in character, so the final choice should support the restoration theme rather than compete with it.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1996 Mitsubishi Galant?
Yes. A 1996 Mitsubishi Galant may no longer match its original fitment if it has aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, or previous owner modifications. That matters most on the ES, since it can use either 14-inch or 15-inch tire sizes depending on the wheel setup.
Wheel diameter is only the beginning. Changed wheel width, offset, ride height, or body clearance can all influence what works on the car now, so it is worth checking the actual wheel and tire dimensions on the vehicle before choosing between 185/70R14 and 195/60R15 replacements.
What should I inspect before driving a 1996 Mitsubishi Galant on new tires?
Before regular road use, inspect the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant's wheels for damage, confirm that the tire size matches the rim diameter, and make sure the tires are inflated properly for the application. It is also smart to check for suspension wear, uneven alignment-related tire wear, and any rubbing at full steering lock.
A new set of tires performs best when the rest of the setup is sound. Looking over tread seating, valve stems, air retention, and general clearance around the inner fender and suspension helps catch small problems early, especially on older cars that may have seen wheel swaps or long periods of intermittent use.
How often should tires on a 1996 Mitsubishi Galant be inspected?
Tires on a 1996 Mitsubishi Galant should be inspected regularly, not just when tread looks low. Monthly pressure checks are a sensible routine, and a closer inspection for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, or slow air loss is worthwhile before longer trips or after the car has been parked for extended periods.
Older vehicles often accumulate miles slowly, so condition can matter as much as mileage. A Galant used occasionally should still have its tires checked for age-related deterioration, while a more frequently driven car benefits from regular rotation, alignment attention, and prompt correction of any wear pattern that suggests a chassis or inflation issue.
