The 1998 Pontiac Grand Am sits squarely in Pontiac’s late-1990s sport-compact and midsize lineup, blending everyday front-wheel-drive practicality with a styling and trim strategy that leaned harder into youthful performance than many of its domestic rivals. Tire fitment on this exact model depends on sub-model and package, with radial sizes ranging from 195/70R14 and 195/65R15 to 205/55R16 on Performance Package cars. That creates a real choice not only in size, but also in tire character, from straightforward blackwall replacements to a wide whitewall radial in the 16-inch fitment. The right selection starts with confirming the exact sub-model and wheel diameter already on the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1998 Pontiac Grand Am
The 1998 Pontiac Grand Am uses three primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Standard GT and SE applications use either 195/70R14 or 195/65R15 radial tires, while GT and SE models with the Performance Package use 205/55R16 radials. Before comparing tire choices, confirm whether the car has 14-inch, 15-inch, or 16-inch wheels and whether it is a Performance Package configuration.
A 195/65R15 tire is a metric radial size with a 195 millimeter section width, a 65-series profile, and fitment for a 15-inch rim. On the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am, this size serves as one of the standard radial fitments used on certain GT and SE applications. Its sizing sits close to the other non-Performance Package option, so the deciding factor is the wheel already on the car rather than appearance alone. Choose this size when the Grand Am is equipped with the correct 15-inch wheel and the goal is to stay with the intended wheel-and-tire relationship.
A 195/70R14 tire is a metric radial with a 195 millimeter section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and fitment for a 14-inch rim. This is one of the standard tire sizes used on 1998 Pontiac Grand Am GT and SE models outside the Performance Package setup. Available product choice in this size includes the Dunlop Sport Classic in a blackwall design, giving buyers a clean, straightforward modern radial option. This size should be considered only after confirming that the car still carries the proper 14-inch wheels rather than a later wheel change.
Fit(s): GT w/Performance Pkg. and SE w/Performance Pkg.
Construction: Radial|Rim: 16 in
A 205/55R16 tire is a metric radial size with a 205 millimeter section width, a 55-series profile, and fitment for a 16-inch rim. On the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am, this size belongs to GT and SE models equipped with the Performance Package, making it the sportier wheel-and-tire configuration within the lineup. Product choices include BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic options, mostly in blackwall form with one wide whitewall radial also available. This size makes the most sense when the car retains its 16-inch Performance Package wheel setup and the buyer wants to compare both performance-oriented and appearance-oriented tire choices.
Sub-model fitment on the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am is not completely uniform, because standard GT and SE versions can use different wheel diameters while Performance Package cars move to a distinct 16-inch setup. Checking the exact sub-model matters before selecting a tire, especially when the car could be fitted with 14-inch, 15-inch, or 16-inch wheels.
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1998 Pontiac Grand Am GT
The 1998 Pontiac Grand Am GT uses standard radial fitments that fall into the 14-inch or 15-inch wheel range rather than the Performance Package’s 16-inch setup. Tire selection starts with confirming which wheel diameter is on the car, then comparing the available options in the matching size.
The 1998 Pontiac Grand Am GT w/Performance Pkg. uses the 205/55R16 radial size, setting it apart from the standard GT wheel-and-tire combinations. That means product choice centers on 16-inch fitment, including differences in brand, tire series, sidewall style, and rim-width compatibility.
The 1998 Pontiac Grand Am SE shares the standard radial fitment pattern used across the non-Performance Package cars, with tire choice tied to either a 14-inch or 15-inch wheel. The practical step is to verify the actual wheel diameter first, then stay within the matching size when comparing replacement tires.
The 1998 Pontiac Grand Am SE w/Performance Pkg. uses the 205/55R16 radial tire size rather than the smaller standard Grand Am fitments. That puts the focus on choosing among the available 16-inch tires while also confirming that the car still carries the correct Performance Package wheel setup.
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 Pontiac Grand Am Tires for Sale
Available 1998 Pontiac Grand Am tire choices center on radial construction, with Dunlop covering 195/70R14 and 205/55R16 options available from BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic. Buyers can compare tire series, blackwall versus wide whitewall presentation, and 16-inch rim-width specifications where they apply.
These FAQs focus on the exact tire sizes used on the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am, how fitment changes by sub-model and wheel diameter, and how to compare available radial tire choices before putting the car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am?
The 1998 Pontiac Grand Am uses three primary tire sizes: 195/70R14, 195/65R15, and 205/55R16. Standard GT and SE models use the 14-inch or 15-inch radial sizes, while GT and SE models with the Performance Package use 205/55R16 on a 16-inch rim.
The practical step is to confirm the exact sub-model and the wheel diameter currently on the car before ordering tires. Some Grand Ams may have had wheel changes over time, so the safest approach is to match the tire size to the actual wheel and then compare available products within that specific fitment.
What size rim does a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am use?
A 1998 Pontiac Grand Am can use 14-inch, 15-inch, or 16-inch rims, depending on the sub-model and package. The 195/70R14 tire fits a 14-inch rim, the 195/65R15 fits a 15-inch rim, and the 205/55R16 Performance Package size fits a 16-inch rim.
Rim diameter should be checked before anything else because these tire sizes are not meant for the same wheel. Looking at the wheel itself or the tire sidewall already mounted on the car is often the quickest confirmation, especially on a Grand Am that may no longer wear its original wheel-and-tire combination.
Do all 1998 Pontiac Grand Am sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1998 Pontiac Grand Am does not use one universal tire size across every sub-model. GT and SE models can use 195/70R14 or 195/65R15, while GT w/Performance Pkg. and SE w/Performance Pkg. use 205/55R16.
That difference matters because tire choice starts with identifying the exact version of the car, not just the year and model name. Once the sub-model and wheel diameter are confirmed, the next decision becomes selecting the right radial tire within that size based on brand, series, sidewall style, and intended use.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am?
Start with the correct tire size for the exact 1998 Pontiac Grand Am sub-model and wheel diameter, because this car uses 14-inch, 15-inch, and 16-inch fitments. After that, compare radial construction details such as tire series, sidewall style, and any stated rim-width range that applies to the size you need.
A standard GT or SE may need a straightforward replacement in 195/70R14 or 195/65R15, while a Performance Package car opens the door to more 205/55R16 choices. Matching the tire to the way the car is used matters too, whether the goal is clean everyday road manners, a sport-oriented look, or a more distinctive wide whitewall presentation.
What sidewall styles are available for 1998 Pontiac Grand Am tires?
Sidewall choice for the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am includes blackwall and wide whitewall, depending on the size. The 195/70R14 Dunlop Sport Classic is a blackwall tire, while the 205/55R16 selection includes several blackwall options plus an American Classic Radial with a 1.50-inch wide whitewall.
That means sidewall style can influence the visual direction of the car as much as the tire brand itself. A blackwall keeps the presentation more restrained and modern, while the wide whitewall creates a more customized or appearance-driven look, so the decision should follow both the correct size and the character you want the Grand Am to show.
What brands offer tires for the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am?
Tires for the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am are available from Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic across the sizes currently offered. Brand choice is tied to size, with Dunlop appearing in 195/70R14 and several 205/55R16 products coming from BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic.
That makes it important to confirm the Grand Am’s exact tire size before focusing on brand preference. Once the size is settled, compare the available tire series, sidewall treatment, and rim-width specifications where stated, since those details often shape the buying decision more than the brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1998 Pontiac Grand Am?
A period-style 1998 Pontiac Grand Am starts with using the correct original fitment size for the exact sub-model and wheel diameter, whether that is 195/70R14, 195/65R15, or 205/55R16. Staying with the intended size preserves the car’s basic stance and avoids giving it a mismatched later-tire look.
Appearance then comes down to the tire’s visual character within that size. A blackwall tire usually keeps the look closest to late-1990s everyday production style, while the available wide whitewall 205/55R16 option pushes the car in a more customized direction, so the right answer depends on whether the goal is stock-flavored presentation or a personal visual statement.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1998 Pontiac Grand Am?
Tire construction is straightforward on the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am because all primary fitments here are radial. That means the appearance question is less about bias-ply versus radial and more about choosing the correct size, profile, and sidewall treatment so the car does not look over-tired, under-tired, or visually out of step with its late-1990s design.
The main visual differences come from the tire series and sidewall style rather than from construction changes. Keeping the proper 14-inch, 15-inch, or 16-inch fitment helps maintain the intended proportion, while sidewall choices such as blackwall or wide whitewall determine whether the Grand Am reads as stock-minded, personalized, or more overtly appearance-focused.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am?
Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am even when the replacement tire is one of the correct factory-size options. Wheel swaps, changes in wheel width, suspension lowering, worn springs, or body clearance differences can all affect how a 195/70R14, 195/65R15, or 205/55R16 tire sits on the car.
A Grand Am with aftermarket wheels should be checked carefully for actual rim diameter and width before ordering tires. Steering clearance, inner-fender space, and overall tire-to-body relationship matter just as much as the sidewall size marking, especially on Performance Package cars where the 16-inch setup may already be closer to the edge of the intended package.
What should I inspect before driving a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am on new tires?
Before driving a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the rim diameter, and make sure the tires seat properly and hold air. It is also worth checking alignment condition, brake clearance, and the general state of suspension and steering components.
A fresh set of tires will not correct worn hardware, so road use should begin with stable wheel mounting, proper inflation, and enough clearance through a full steering sweep. Looking over the car for uneven old-tire wear, looseness, or rubbing marks can also reveal issues that should be corrected before the Grand Am goes back into regular service.
How often should tires on a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am be inspected?
Tires on a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am should be inspected regularly, especially if the car is driven infrequently or stored for long periods. Checks should include air pressure, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and any signs of slow air loss, regardless of whether the car uses 14-inch, 15-inch, or 16-inch tires.
Low-use cars can develop tire problems simply from age and storage conditions, not just mileage. Giving the tires a close look before longer drives is a sensible habit, and any vibration, pulling, or visible deterioration deserves attention before more road use, since the tire’s calendar age can matter as much as tread depth on an older Grand Am.
