The 1998 Toyota Avalon was designed as a roomy, comfort-focused full-size sedan, aimed at drivers who wanted a quieter and more relaxed highway car than a typical midsize family sedan. That character makes tire choice especially important, because ride quality and overall appearance both influence how an Avalon feels on the road today. The 1998 Toyota Avalon uses a 205/65R15 radial tire on a 15-inch rim, keeping fitment straightforward across the covered models. Available choices in this size include BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial versions with either a 2 Inch Whitewall or Redline sidewall. The real decision is how closely the tire's look and presentation should match your restoration goals and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1998 Toyota Avalon
The 1998 Toyota Avalon uses one primary tire size: 205/65R15, a radial tire built for a 15-inch rim. Both the XL and XLS use this same fitment, so the main decision is not which size fits, but which version of that size best matches the car's appearance, wheel setup, and intended use.
205/65R15 is a metric radial size in which 205 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 65 is the aspect ratio, R designates radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1998 Toyota Avalon, this size keeps the fitment in a modern passenger-car sizing format rather than an older numeric or alphanumeric system. BFGoodrich offers this size in the Silvertown Radial series with Wide Whitewall and Redline sidewall treatments. That gives Avalon owners a straightforward way to stay with the proper size while choosing a more traditional or more distinctive visual presentation.
Tire fitment is simple on the 1998 Toyota Avalon because both covered sub-models use the same primary size. Checking the sub-model still helps confirm that the car remains on the expected 15-inch wheel setup before selecting a tire.
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1998 Toyota Avalon XL
The 1998 Toyota Avalon XL uses the same 205/65R15 radial fitment as the other covered Avalon sub-model. That makes tire selection more about choosing the preferred sidewall appearance and confirming the wheel setup than sorting through multiple primary sizes.
The 1998 Toyota Avalon XLS also uses the 205/65R15 radial size on a 15-inch rim. With fitment staying consistent, the focus shifts to selecting the right visual style and making sure the car has not been changed to a different wheel or tire package over time.
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 Toyota Avalon Tires for Sale
Available 205/65R15 choices center on the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial series, with a 2 Inch Whitewall or Redline sidewall. Both are radial tires for 15-inch wheels and share the same 5.50 to 7.50-inch rim-width range.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2 Inch Whitewall | 205/65R15
Common 1998 Toyota Avalon tire questions usually center on the 205/65R15 size, 15-inch rim fitment, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a low-mileage or long-stored sedan back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1998 Toyota Avalon?
The 1998 Toyota Avalon uses a 205/65R15 radial tire. That same size applies to both the XL and XLS, which keeps primary fitment straightforward for this model year and avoids the need to sort through multiple factory size groups within the covered lineup.
The important next step is confirming that the car still has the expected 15-inch wheels. Many older sedans have seen wheel changes over the years, so checking the tire sidewall and the actual wheel setup before purchase helps keep the replacement choice aligned with the car's current configuration.
What size rim does a 1998 Toyota Avalon use?
The 1998 Toyota Avalon uses a 15-inch rim with its 205/65R15 tire size. Available tires in this fitment are built for that wheel diameter, and the current product options in this size are intended for rim widths from 5.50 to 7.50 inches.
Wheel diameter is the first measurement to confirm, but wheel width matters too when choosing among available tires. A car that has been fitted with aftermarket wheels may still have a 15-inch diameter but a different width, so it is worth checking the actual wheel before installing replacement tires.
Do all 1998 Toyota Avalon sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. Both the 1998 Toyota Avalon XL and 1998 Toyota Avalon XLS use the same 205/65R15 radial tire size. That means tire shopping is less about identifying trim-specific fitment differences and more about selecting the right tire style within that shared size.
Even with consistent sub-model fitment, it still helps to inspect the car as it sits today. Replacement wheels, altered suspension height, or previous owner changes can affect clearance and wheel compatibility, so verifying the actual setup remains a smart step before settling on a new set of tires.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 205/65R15 tire for a 1998 Toyota Avalon?
Start with the correct size and construction: the 1998 Toyota Avalon uses a 205/65R15 radial tire. From there, compare sidewall appearance, wheel-width compatibility, and product specifications such as maximum load capacity and weight if those details matter to the way the car is driven or presented.
For many Avalon owners, the choice comes down to how the sedan should look once the correct fitment is confirmed. A wide whitewall creates a more formal, restoration-oriented presentation, while a redline gives the same size a more distinctive visual character without changing the underlying radial fitment.
What sidewall styles are available for 1998 Toyota Avalon tires?
In 205/65R15, the 1998 Toyota Avalon is available with two distinct sidewall treatments: Wide Whitewall and Redline. Both appear in the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial series, so the decision is based on appearance rather than a change in basic size or construction.
That makes sidewall choice an important styling decision for a sedan that often benefits from a clean, composed look. A whitewall can complement a more traditional presentation, while a redline offers a sportier visual accent. Either way, the tire should still be matched to the car's actual wheel dimensions.
How do I choose between the available 205/65R15 tires for a 1998 Toyota Avalon?
The available 205/65R15 options for a 1998 Toyota Avalon share the same BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial series, radial construction, and 15-inch rim fitment. The main visible difference is sidewall style, with one version using a 2 Inch Whitewall and the other using a Redline treatment.
Choose between them by thinking about the role the car plays today. A cleaner, more formal restoration theme may lean toward the whitewall, while a personalized period-style look may favor the redline. Once the visual direction is set, confirm wheel width and inspect overall clearance before installation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1998 Toyota Avalon?
A period-style 1998 Toyota Avalon still begins with the proper 205/65R15 radial size. Within that fitment, the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial gives a more specialty appearance than a plain modern replacement tire, while keeping the car in the correct size and radial construction category.
The final look depends largely on sidewall treatment. A 2 Inch Whitewall suits a more formal, upscale presentation, while a Redline introduces a stronger visual accent. When exact originality matters, it is worth comparing the car against brochures, marque references, or other period documentation before making a cosmetic choice.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1998 Toyota Avalon?
On a restored 1998 Toyota Avalon, construction matters less as a visual issue than it would on an earlier collector car because the primary fitment is already radial. The more noticeable appearance difference comes from the sidewall treatment chosen within that radial size, not from changing between bias-ply and radial construction.
That keeps the focus on details such as whitewall versus redline and how those choices interact with the car's trim, paint, and overall restoration theme. Using the correct 205/65R15 size helps preserve proper proportions, while an inappropriate size can change the stance and visual balance of the car.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1998 Toyota Avalon?
Yes. A 1998 Toyota Avalon may originally use 205/65R15 tires, but wheel changes, lowered suspension, replacement springs, or body modifications can alter the space available around the tire. Even when the size remains the same, wheel width and offset changes can affect how the tire sits in the wheel opening.
That is why it helps to inspect the actual car instead of relying only on the expected stock setup. Check wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and fender clearance before installing new tires, especially if the Avalon has been customized or has a history that is not fully known.
What should I inspect before driving a 1998 Toyota Avalon on new tires?
Before putting a 1998 Toyota Avalon back on the road with new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the wheel diameter, and look over the suspension and steering for worn parts that could affect alignment or tire wear. Tire pressure should also be set correctly before any extended driving.
A low-use sedan deserves extra attention after installation. Look for adequate clearance at full steering lock, make sure the tires seat properly on the wheels, and monitor for vibration or uneven wear during the first drives. Those checks help catch setup issues before they become larger road-use problems.
How should 205/65R15 tires on a collector 1998 Toyota Avalon be maintained?
205/65R15 tires on a collector-era 1998 Toyota Avalon should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, or irregular tread wear, and watched for any sign of air loss. Cars that spend long periods parked need tire checks even when mileage stays very low.
Storage conditions matter as much as road use on an occasional-use sedan. Keeping the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition. It is also smart to inspect tire age and general condition before longer drives, even if the tread still looks usable.
