1985 Mitsubishi Tire Fitment Guide

1985 Mitsubishi vehicles use nine radial sizes across five model lines: 165/80R13 and 185/70R13 for Cordia and Tredia, 185/70R14 and 195/60R15 for Galant, 155R13, 145/80R13, and 185/60R14 for Mirage, and 215/60R15 plus 195/70R14 for Starion. Rim diameters span 13, 14, and 15 inches depending on the model and application. Where rim-width guidance is available, 165/80R13 fits 4.50- to 6.00-inch rims, 185/70R13 fits roughly 4.5- to 6.5-inch rims, 185/70R14 fits roughly 4.5- to 6.5-inch rims, 195/60R15 fits 5.5- to 7.0-inch rims, 155R13 fits 4.00- to 5.50-inch rims, 185/60R14 fits 5.0- to 6.0-inch rims, and 215/60R15 fits about 5.5- to 7.5-inch rims.

That spread means year and make alone are not enough for a confident tire choice. A Cordia or Tredia owner is choosing between two 13-inch sizes, while a Galant, Mirage, or Starion owner may need to confirm whether the car uses 13-, 14-, or 15-inch wheels before going any further. If the car has been modified or the wheels have been changed over the years, verify the size stamped on the sidewall and confirm the actual wheel diameter before selecting a replacement tire.

On a 1985 Mitsubishi, 155R13 is a euro-metric radial size. The 155 is the section width in millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. Because no aspect ratio is written into the size, this type is conventionally treated as an 80-series style metric fitment. In this 1985 Mitsubishi range, 155R13 belongs to the Mirage and appears in blackwall radial products from Michelin and Dunlop, with H-rated examples up to 130 mph.

That code looks simpler than a modern full metric size, but it still needs to be matched carefully to the correct Mirage application. It should not be treated as interchangeable with 145/80R13 just because both mount on 13-inch wheels. The narrower 155R13 fitment is part of the Mirage's compact-car character, so owners restoring the car's original stance or steering feel usually want to stay with that exact size unless a knowledgeable Mitsubishi specialist recommends otherwise.

No. 1985 Mitsubishi models do not share one universal tire size across the lineup. Cordia and Tredia use 165/80R13 or 185/70R13, Galant uses 185/70R14 or 195/60R15, Mirage uses 155R13, 145/80R13, or 185/60R14, and Starion uses 215/60R15 or 195/70R14. Every size in the range is radial, but the wheel diameters and section widths change significantly from one model to another.

That variation matters because a tire that is right for one 1985 Mitsubishi can be completely wrong for another, even when the cars look similar in overall scale. It also means sidewall appearance choices such as whitewall, blackwall, redline, or raised white letters are tied to the specific size your model uses. If you are not certain which model or wheel package your car carries, start by identifying the car correctly and reading the sidewall on the existing tires before comparing products.

1985 Mitsubishi tire choices cover a wide spread of sidewall styles depending on size. Wide whitewalls and narrow whitewalls appear in 165/80R13, redline, wide whitewall, and blackwall choices appear in 185/70R13, 185/70R14 combines blackwall and wide whitewall, 195/60R15 includes wide whitewall, redline, blackwall, and raised white letters, and 215/60R15 adds wide whitewall, redline, blackwall, and raised white letters as well. The Mirage-focused 155R13 and 185/60R14 and the Starion's 195/70R14 stay in blackwall form.

For a 1985 Japanese car, blackwall is usually the most natural visual fit, especially on sport-oriented or European-influenced applications. Whitewalls and redlines can still make sense when the owner wants a customized period look, while raised white letters are most at home on sporty 15-inch applications. The key is to choose a sidewall style that matches both the car's personality and the exact size it uses, rather than assuming every visual treatment is available for every 1985 Mitsubishi model.

1985 Mitsubishi tire coverage comes from BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and American Classic. Brand coverage changes by size: 165/80R13 uses BFGoodrich and Maxxis, 185/70R13 uses BFGoodrich, Avon, and Dunlop, 185/70R14 uses BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, and Michelin, 195/60R15 uses BFGoodrich and Michelin, 155R13 uses Michelin and Dunlop, 185/60R14 uses Michelin, 215/60R15 uses American Classic, BFGoodrich, and Dunlop, and 195/70R14 uses Dunlop.

That mix gives 1985 Mitsubishi owners a meaningful choice between period-style specialty tires and more performance-oriented blackwall options, depending on size. It also means the best brand for one model may not even be available for another model's fitment. A Cordia, Tredia, or Galant owner may be comparing sidewall appearance between several brands, while a Mirage or Starion owner in certain sizes may be choosing from a much tighter field and should focus first on getting the correct size and speed category.

For a 1985 Mitsubishi Galant in 195/60R15, the BFGoodrich Radial T/A and Michelin Primacy 3 differ most clearly in sidewall style and speed rating. The BFGoodrich carries raised white letters with an S rating up to 112 mph, while the Michelin uses a blackwall design and carries a V rating up to 149 mph. Both share a 15-inch rim diameter and fit a 5.5- to 7.0-inch rim width range, and both are radial tires.

That makes the choice less about basic fitment and more about the personality you want the car to have. The BFGoodrich suits a more overtly sporty period look, especially if raised white letters are part of the visual goal. The Michelin is better aligned with a cleaner, more understated appearance and carries a higher published speed category. Galant owners should choose between them by balancing visual character, intended road use, and whether the car is being kept close to stock or given a more personalized finish.

Rim-width guidance for 1985 Mitsubishi tires depends on the size. 165/80R13 fits 4.50 to 6.00 inches, 185/70R13 fits about 4.5 to 6.5 inches depending on brand, 185/70R14 fits about 4.5 to 6.5 inches, 195/60R15 fits 5.5 to 7.0 inches, 155R13 fits 4.00 to 5.50 inches, 185/60R14 fits 5.0 to 6.0 inches, and 215/60R15 fits about 5.5 to 7.5 inches depending on product. Some 195/70R14 offerings do not publish a rim-width range alongside the tire.

Those ranges matter because even when the diameter is correct, the wrong rim width can alter sidewall shape and how the tire sits on the wheel. A size that works well on a narrow compact-car wheel may not behave the same on a wider performance wheel. Before ordering, measure the wheel or verify its width through a reliable wheel reference so the tire size and the wheel work together the way the manufacturer intended.

Inner-tube requirements on 1985 Mitsubishi tires vary by product rather than staying the same across the whole range. Michelin 185/70R14, Michelin 195/60R15, Michelin 155R13, and Michelin 185/60R14 are marked TL for tubeless use, while other products in those same size groups may not carry the same marking in the sidewall description. The rest of the 1985 Mitsubishi sizes are radial applications, but the tube question should be settled at the individual tire level rather than assumed by size alone.

That is especially important on collector cars that may still use original wheels, wheels with rivets, or wheels that have been refinished. A tubeless-marked tire still needs a wheel that is suitable for tubeless service, and a specialist may still recommend a tube in certain circumstances. Check the exact sidewall marking on the tire you choose and match that with the condition and design of the wheel before final assembly.

A 1985 Mitsubishi should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment. Clean the tires with mild soap and water rather than solvent-based dressings, and keep inflation pressures up during storage. Because every size here is radial, long static storage is generally easier on the carcass than with older bias-ply tires, but flat spotting can still happen if the car sits in one position for extended periods.

If the car will remain parked for months, move it periodically or support it in a way that reduces continuous load on one contact patch. That is particularly worthwhile on performance-oriented sizes such as the Starion's 215/60R15 or lower-profile fitments such as 195/60R15 and 185/60R14. Good storage habits protect both the tire investment and the quality of the first drive when the car comes back out.

On a 1985 Mitsubishi, tire life should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage, because many surviving cars are used seasonally or only for occasional drives. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach about five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement point, even if tread depth still looks good. The DOT date code on the sidewall is the easiest way to confirm the tire's age.

That timeline matters because rubber hardens, sidewalls crack, and internal materials age whether the car is driven often or not. A low-mileage Mirage or Tredia can still be riding on old tires that are well past their best years, and a Starion used only for weekend drives is no exception. Age, storage history, and visible condition should carry more weight than the odometer when deciding whether to keep or replace a set.

Tires on a 1985 Mitsubishi should be inspected before every drive, with a closer once-over before any highway trip or longer outing. Check air pressure, tread wear, sidewall cracking, bulges, punctures, and any sign that the car has been sitting on low pressure. On sizes where tubeless marking varies by product, it also makes sense to inspect valve stems and confirm that the wheel and valve arrangement are still sealing properly.

Frequent inspection is especially important on older Japanese cars because a small, light vehicle can feel normal at neighborhood speeds even when a tire is aging out. Catching a crack, cut, or pressure loss at home is far better than discovering it after the car is warmed up and moving at road speed. Make the spare part of the same inspection routine so it is ready if you need it.

A 1985 Mitsubishi Cordia would have been a radial-tire car from new, and the sizes associated with the model here are 165/80R13 and 185/70R13 on 13-inch rims. That puts the Cordia firmly in the era when metric radial sizing was standard rather than a carryover bias-ply application. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and specification, so the most reliable authenticity points are the correct size, radial construction, and an era-appropriate overall appearance.

For a factory-minded restoration, the safest path is to confirm the exact Cordia model and compare the surviving placard, owner's manual, or marque-club references before choosing between the two sizes. Sidewall style also affects how authentic the finished car looks. A blackwall presentation is usually the most natural visual choice for a mid-1980s Japanese sport compact, while whitewalls or redlines lean more toward owner preference than strict originality.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1985 Mitsubishi, even though these cars are newer than the prewar and muscle-car vehicles many collectors first think about. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the car is wearing the correct size family, the right construction type for the era, and a sidewall style that matches the vehicle's intended presentation. On a 1985 Mitsubishi, using the wrong wheel diameter or a visibly mismatched profile can stand out immediately.

That does not mean every event applies the same standards. A local enthusiast show may welcome tasteful personalization, while a marque-focused event may place much more weight on stock appearance. If your goal is top authenticity, verify the exact size used on your model and ask a Mitsubishi club or model specialist whether blackwall, whitewall, redline, or raised white letter styling is appropriate for the class you plan to enter.

For a 1985 Mitsubishi Cordia or Tredia in 165/80R13, the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial and Maxxis Classic Whitewall MA-1 share the same size, radial construction, 13-inch rim diameter, 4.50- to 6.00-inch rim-width range, 18-pound weight, and 1069-pound load figure at 35 psi. The practical difference is visual: the BFGoodrich uses a 2.25-inch wide whitewall, while the Maxxis uses a much narrower 0.625-inch whitewall.

That makes this comparison mostly about appearance rather than fitment. The BFGoodrich gives the car a more pronounced dress-tire look, while the Maxxis keeps the same overall size with a subtler whitewall accent. Either can work on a Cordia or Tredia using this fitment, but the right choice depends on whether you want the tire to make a stronger style statement or blend more quietly into the car's original 1980s shape.

Yes, 1985 Mitsubishi tires can be safe for highway driving when the tires are the correct size, in sound condition, and matched to the way the car is used. The radial products here carry speed ratings that include S up to 112 mph, H up to 130 mph, and V up to 149 mph depending on size and product. Those limits are above normal U.S. highway speeds, and on many 1985 Mitsubishi vehicles the car's own age, braking system, suspension condition, and overall maintenance will matter more in real-world use than the tire's published speed category.

Highway confidence depends less on chasing the highest letter rating and more on using a fresh, properly inflated tire that suits the car's wheel size and mission. A Mirage commuter, a Galant sedan, and a Starion turbo coupe place different demands on their tires even though all are from the same model year. Before any sustained highway use, check pressure, age, balance, and visible condition so the tire and the car are working together.

Inflation pressure for 1985 Mitsubishi tires should be set by the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation for the car and the tire manufacturer's maximum-rated information for the specific tire, not by copying a figure from another size. Several sizes here carry load and pressure references such as 1069 pounds at 35 psi for 165/80R13, 1135 pounds at 35 psi for 185/70R13, 1201 pounds at 35 psi for 185/70R14, 1190 pounds at 35 psi for 195/60R15, and 1411 pounds at 35 psi for 215/60R15.

Those figures describe the tire's rated capacity at a given pressure; they are not a blanket setting for every 1985 Mitsubishi. A lightweight Mirage, a family Galant, and a turbocharged Starion can require different vehicle-side pressures even when the tires themselves share similar construction. Use the owner's manual or factory placard as the primary reference, then make sure the chosen tire's own rating is respected and never exceeded.

Before taking a 1985 Mitsubishi on a longer drive, inspect all four tires and the spare for air pressure, tread depth, cuts, cracking, bulges, punctures, and any uneven wear pattern that could point to alignment or suspension trouble. Confirm that the size on the car matches the wheel diameter and model application, especially on Galant, Mirage, and Starion models that span more than one diameter. If your chosen tire carries a tubeless marking, make sure the valve stems and wheel sealing surfaces are in equally sound condition.

The tire check should be part of a broader pre-trip routine on a car of this age. Wheel-bearing play, brake function, cooling-system health, and basic suspension condition all affect how comfortably and safely the car travels once speeds rise and distances increase. Tires are the car's only contact with the road, but they work best when the rest of the vehicle is equally ready for the trip.