The 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage was a compact economy car built around light weight, simple packaging, and everyday usability, making tire size selection more dependent on trim and wheel setup than on nostalgia alone. For this model year, the Mirage uses radial tires in either 175/70R13 or 185/65R14, with fitment changing by sub-model. That means the key decision is confirming whether the car carries a 13-inch or 14-inch wheel before choosing a tire. For buyers working with 175/70R13, available choices lean toward a blackwall radial in Avon’s CR6ZZ series. On an unrestored driver or a modified Mirage, wheel diameter and actual clearance should be checked before replacing tires.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage
Two tire sizes apply to the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage, and the first step is identifying the exact sub-model and wheel diameter on the car. The fitment stays within radial construction, but the vehicle uses both 13-inch and 14-inch rim diameters depending on configuration. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether the Mirage is set up for 175/70R13 or 185/65R14, especially if wheels have ever been changed.
The 175/70R13 size uses a metric radial format: 175 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. This is one of the primary Mirage fitments and belongs on a 13-inch rim, so wheel confirmation matters before selection. In this size, available product choice includes Avon’s CR6ZZ with a blackwall sidewall treatment. It is the right size to evaluate for Mirage configurations equipped with the smaller wheel package and for owners who want to keep the car on its intended rim diameter.
The 185/65R14 size is also a metric radial, with 185 indicating nominal width in millimeters, 65 showing the aspect ratio, R marking radial construction, and 14 identifying the wheel diameter. On the 1998 Mirage, this size belongs to configurations using a 14-inch rim rather than the smaller 13-inch setup. Its role is important because it is tied to certain sub-model applications and cannot be chosen correctly without confirming the actual wheel on the car. Buyers should match this size to the correct Mirage trim and check for any wheel changes made over time.
Tire fitment on the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage varies by sub-model, so identifying the exact version matters before choosing a size. Some trims stay with one wheel diameter, while others may be found with either of the model year's radial fitments.
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1998 Mitsubishi Mirage DE
The 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage DE uses the 175/70R13 radial fitment, tying this sub-model to the 13-inch wheel package. Tire selection here centers on choosing the right radial in that size and confirming the car has retained its original wheel diameter.
The 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage LS Coupe uses the 185/65R14 radial size, which places it on a 14-inch rim. That makes wheel-diameter confirmation the first step, followed by selecting a tire that matches the coupe’s existing wheel setup and intended road use.
The 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage LS Sedan can use either 175/70R13 or 185/65R14, so this is the sub-model where wheel verification matters most. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether the sedan is wearing the 13-inch or 14-inch setup now rather than assuming one size applies to every LS Sedan.
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 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage Tires for Sale
Available product choice for the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage currently centers on 175/70R13, where Avon offers a CR6ZZ radial with a blackwall sidewall. Buyers comparing options should focus on matching the correct size and rim-width compatibility to the wheel actually on the car.
These FAQs focus on the tire sizes used on the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage, how sub-model fitment changes, what the size markings mean, and what to inspect before putting the car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage?
The 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage uses two radial tire sizes: 175/70R13 and 185/65R14. The correct size depends on the sub-model and wheel package, with the DE using 175/70R13, the LS Coupe using 185/65R14, and the LS Sedan appearing with either size.
That makes the first step simple but important: confirm the exact sub-model and check the wheel diameter already on the car. A Mirage equipped with 13-inch wheels should stay with the matching 13-inch tire size, while a 14-inch setup needs the corresponding 14-inch fitment.
What size rim does a 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage use?
A 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on its tire size. The 175/70R13 fitment belongs on a 13-inch wheel, while the 185/65R14 fitment belongs on a 14-inch wheel.
Checking the actual wheel on the car is more important than relying on trim name alone, especially on an older compact that may have had replacement wheels installed. Tire size must match wheel diameter exactly, so this is the first fitment detail to verify before comparing tire choices.
Why does the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage have more than one tire size?
More than one tire size appears on the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage because sub-model fitment changes across the range. The DE uses 175/70R13, the LS Coupe uses 185/65R14, and the LS Sedan can be found with either of those radial sizes.
That variation means tire choice is not just a matter of model year and nameplate. The practical decision starts with confirming the exact Mirage configuration and wheel diameter, then selecting the tire that matches the car’s current setup without assuming every sedan or coupe shares the same size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 175/70R13 tire for a 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage?
Start by confirming that 175/70R13 is the correct size for the specific 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage in front of you, since that fitment applies to the DE and some LS Sedan configurations. It is a metric radial size for a 13-inch rim, so both the tire code and wheel diameter need to match.
Once size is confirmed, compare details that affect compatibility and presentation, including radial construction, rim-width range, sidewall style, and tire series. In available 175/70R13 product choice, Avon’s CR6ZZ appears as a blackwall radial, making it a focused option for drivers keeping the Mirage on its 13-inch setup.
What sidewall styles are available for 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage tires?
Current product choice for the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage includes a blackwall sidewall style in 175/70R13. That gives the car a straightforward modern appearance rather than a whitewall, redline, or raised white letter presentation.
Sidewall style matters mostly for appearance, but it still has to be considered after the correct tire size and rim diameter are confirmed. On a compact car like the Mirage, the first priority remains matching the proper fitment, then choosing the sidewall treatment that best suits the car’s look and use.
What brands offer tires for the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage?
Available product coverage for the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage currently includes Avon in the 175/70R13 size. That product appears in the CR6ZZ series and uses radial construction with a blackwall sidewall.
Brand choice only becomes useful after the correct Mirage tire size has been established, because this model year does not use one universal fitment across every sub-model. A DE or 13-inch LS Sedan should be matched to 175/70R13 first, while 14-inch applications need the proper alternative size.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage?
A period-style approach for a 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage starts with using the correct radial tire size for the specific sub-model and wheel diameter. That means 175/70R13 for the DE, 185/65R14 for the LS Coupe, and either of those sizes for an LS Sedan depending on the wheel package.
Appearance choices should follow fitment, not replace it. A blackwall radial suits the Mirage’s late-1990s compact-car character well, but owners chasing exact historical presentation should also compare the car against original brochures, showroom literature, or marque-specific references before making a final cosmetic decision.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage restoration because the car used more than one tire size and more than one wheel diameter. A restored DE, LS Coupe, or LS Sedan can look and sit differently if the tire size does not match the intended wheel package.
Using the proper size also keeps the project grounded in how the car was equipped, rather than blending 13-inch and 14-inch fitments without checking the wheels. Before final assembly, verify the mounted wheel diameter, the chosen tire size, and the overall stance you want from the finished Mirage.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage. Wheel changes, suspension lowering, altered offsets, or bodywork changes can all influence whether the original 175/70R13 or 185/65R14 size still makes sense for the car’s current setup.
An older Mirage may no longer be wearing its original wheel package, so checking the tire size molded on the sidewall is not enough by itself. Measure wheel diameter, confirm wheel width, and inspect clearance at the fender and steering range before replacing tires on a modified car.
What should I inspect before driving a 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage on new tires?
Before driving a 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the rim diameter, and make sure the tires are inflated properly. It is also wise to look over valve stems, lug hardware, tread seating, and visible clearance around the suspension and fenders.
A short test drive should be followed by another visual check for rubbing, uneven seating, or air loss. On a compact car that may have seen years of daily use or owner changes, catching wheel or clearance issues early helps prevent fitment mistakes from turning into wear or handling problems.
How often should tires on a 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage be inspected?
Tires on a 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage should be inspected regularly, not just when tread appears worn. Routine checks should include tread depth, air pressure, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and any uneven wear pattern that could point to alignment, suspension, or inflation issues.
Cars from this era are often used irregularly, so age and condition can matter as much as mileage. A quick inspection before longer drives is smart, and any Mirage that has been parked for extended periods deserves extra attention to flat spotting, air loss, and weather-related sidewall deterioration.
