1986 Buick Tire Fitment Guide

1986 Buick vehicles use 13 distinct tire sizes spread across eight model lines: 175/80R13, 185/80R13, 195/70R13, 205/70R13, 185/75R14, 195/75R14, 205/70R14, 205/75R14, 205/60R14, 215/60R14, 215/60R15, 215/65R15, and 225/75R15. Century uses 185/75R14, 195/75R14, and 215/60R14; Electra uses 205/75R14, 215/65R15, and 225/75R15; LeSabre uses 205/75R14, 215/65R15, and 225/75R15; Regal uses 195/75R14, 205/70R14, and 215/65R15; Riviera uses 205/75R14 and 215/60R15; Skyhawk uses 175/80R13, 195/70R13, and 205/60R14; Skylark uses 185/80R13 and 205/70R13; Somerset uses 185/80R13, 205/70R13, and 215/60R14.

Rim diameters across the 1986 Buick line are 13, 14, and 15 inches, so year and make alone are not enough to choose correctly. Rim-width ranges also change by size: for example, 185/80R13 products run from 5.00 to 6.50 inches, 205/75R14 from 5.00 to 7.50 inches depending on product, and 225/75R15 from 6.00 to 8.00 inches. Start by confirming the exact model and the size already mounted on the car, then compare the wheel width against the tire you are considering.

On a 1986 Buick, 205/75R14 is a metric radial size. The 205 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. This size appears on Electra, LeSabre, and Riviera applications and bridges Buick’s larger, comfort-oriented cars that still used 14-inch wheels in 1986.

That code tells you far more than simple diameter. A 205/75R14 has a taller sidewall and a more traditional luxury-car profile than lower-series sizes such as 205/70R14 or 215/60R15. For a Buick owner, that usually means a stronger emphasis on period appearance and ride character than on sporty visual proportion. Once the size is confirmed, the next choice becomes sidewall style, since 205/75R14 is available in both narrow and wide whitewall treatments.

No. 1986 Buick models do not share one common tire size across the entire range. Some sizes cross over between models, such as 205/75R14 for Electra, LeSabre, and Riviera, or 215/65R15 for Electra, LeSabre, and Regal, but many fitments are model-specific. Skyhawk alone spans 175/80R13, 195/70R13, and 205/60R14, while Riviera carries its own 215/60R15 application.

That matters because Buick covered several distinct market segments in 1986, from compact front-drive cars to larger luxury sedans and personal-luxury coupes. If you know only that you have a 1986 Buick, you are still missing the most important fitment detail. Confirm the exact model, then confirm whether the car is on its 13-, 14-, or 15-inch wheels. That two-step check narrows the right tire far faster than comparing all Buick sizes at once.

1986 Buick tire choices cover a wide visual range. Whitewall options are especially common, with narrow and wide whitewalls offered in sizes such as 175/80R13, 185/80R13, 195/75R14, 205/75R14, and 225/75R15. Sportier sidewall treatments appear in sizes like 205/70R14, 215/65R15, and 215/60R15, where RWL, OWL, redline, dual-redline, and blackwall versions are also available. That variety matches the spread of Buick personalities in 1986, from formal sedans to sharper-looking coupes.

A full-size Electra or LeSabre often looks most natural with a whitewall, while a Regal or Riviera can credibly wear raised-letter, redline, or blackwall tires depending on the look you want. Smaller Buicks such as Skylark, Somerset, and Skyhawk can go either way, especially if the car has a sport package or a more conservative trim level. Choose the sidewall style as an appearance decision after confirming the correct size, not as a substitute for fitment.

1986 Buick tires are available from several brands across the size range, including Tornel, Maxxis, Travelstar, Coker Classic, BFGoodrich, American Classic, Goodyear, Cooper, Dunlop, and Michelin. Some sizes have broad brand coverage, such as 205/75R14, 215/65R15, 215/60R15, and 225/75R15, while others are much narrower. A compact Buick size like 195/70R13 has a very focused selection, while larger and more common luxury-car sizes offer more sidewall and series variety.

Brand choice often follows the character of the car as much as the dimensions. Whitewall-focused offerings tend to suit Century, Electra, LeSabre, and Riviera owners aiming for a more traditional Buick appearance, while BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Cooper, Dunlop, and Michelin cover the more sporting visual side in certain sizes. Narrow your decision by size first, then compare the available brands in that exact fitment for sidewall style, load figure, and intended use.

For a 1986 Buick Riviera in 215/60R15, BFGoodrich Radial T/A and Dunlop Sport Classic take the same basic size in different visual and speed-rating directions. The BFGoodrich carries an RWL sidewall, a 93S marking, a 1,411-pound load figure at 35 psi, and a 6.00 to 7.50-inch rim-width range. The Dunlop uses a blackwall sidewall, a 94V marking, and a 1,477-pound load figure, with the V speed rating carrying a 149 mph ceiling compared with 112 mph for S.

That difference matters most in appearance and product character, not because a stock Riviera needs triple-digit speed capability. The BFGoodrich leans into a period American performance look, while the Dunlop presents a cleaner blackwall grand-touring style. If your goal is a more formal Riviera with visual ties to domestic sporty coupes, the raised-letter look fits well. If you prefer a restrained, road-oriented appearance, the Dunlop makes a very different statement in the same size.

Rim-width requirements for 1986 Buick tires vary by size. Examples include 175/80R13 at 4.50 to 6.00 inches, 185/80R13 at 5.00 to 6.50 inches, 195/70R13 at 5.00 to 6.50 inches, 205/70R13 at 5.50 to 7.50 inches, 185/75R14 from 4.50 to 7.50 inches depending on product, 205/70R14 from 5.00 to 7.50 inches, 205/75R14 from 5.00 to 7.50 inches, 215/60R14 at 6.00 to 7.50 inches, 215/60R15 from 5.50 to 7.50 inches, 215/65R15 from 5.50 to 7.50 inches, and 225/75R15 from 6.00 to 8.00 inches.

Those ranges mean the tire size molded on the sidewall is only part of the fitment picture. A wheel that accepts one brand within a size may sit at the edge of another brand’s approved range. That is especially important on older Buicks that may have changed wheels over the years. Measure the actual wheel width, not just diameter, before finalizing a replacement, particularly if the car uses a lower-profile 60-series or 65-series tire.

Most 1986 Buick tire products here are radial tubeless-style fitments, and one size states that explicitly: 205/70VR13 for Skylark and Somerset carries a TL marking. Other sizes do not show tube-type markings, and none of the Buick fitments here use a TT designation. That places the 1986 Buick range firmly in the modern radial era rather than the earlier tube-type era associated with much older collector cars.

Tube choice still depends on the wheel as much as the tire. If your Buick retains original production wheels in good condition, tubeless radial construction is usually the baseline expectation for this period. If the car has unusual aftermarket wheels, aged rims, or restoration work that raises sealing questions, inspect the wheels carefully before mounting new tires. A wheel condition check is more useful here than assuming every 1986 Buick setup is identical.

A 1986 Buick stores best in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment. Keep the tires properly inflated, avoid prolonged contact with standing moisture, and move the car periodically so one patch of tread does not carry the load for months at a time. Even radial tires benefit from that routine on a collector car that sits more than it drives.

Long static storage is hard on any tire, but it is especially noticeable on older collector vehicles where suspension bushings, wheel alignment, and garage conditions may not be ideal. If the car will sit for an extended season, rolling it occasionally or supporting it correctly can help preserve both the tire shape and the finish on the sidewalls. Storage habits matter just as much on a low-mile Buick as tread depth does.

Tires on a 1986 Buick should be judged by age and condition more than by mileage. On a collector or hobby car, five to seven years is a sensible window for closer evaluation, and around ten years is the point when replacement deserves serious consideration even if the tread still looks strong. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the key reference for age, not the age of the car or the age of the restoration.

A Buick that covers only a few hundred miles a year can still age its tires out before it wears them out. Sidewall cracking, hardening of the rubber, recurring pressure loss, and vibration that was not present when the tires were newer are all signs that time is taking over. Treat age as part of regular maintenance rather than waiting for visible tread wear to force the decision.

Tires on a 1986 Buick should be inspected before every drive, and again more carefully before any longer highway outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, low pressure, and anything lodged in the tread. On a car that spends a lot of time parked, also watch for slow leaks, flat-spotting, and aging around the valve stems, since time can be harder on a hobby car than mileage.

That quick routine is especially worthwhile on Buicks that alternate between local cruising and occasional road trips. A one-minute inspection in the garage often catches issues that are easy to miss on a car driven only on fair-weather weekends. If the Buick has whitewalls, inspect the sidewalls closely after cleaning, because fresh dressing can sometimes hide small surface cracks that deserve a closer look.

A 1986 Buick Century would have been fitted with radial tires from new, not bias-ply construction. Century applications in this model year use 185/75R14, 195/75R14, and 215/60R14 depending on the exact version of the car. That means the right starting point for originality is matching the correct radial size to the specific Century you own, then choosing a sidewall treatment that fits the look of the car.

For most owners, the strongest authenticity gains come from getting the size and sidewall appearance right. A whitewall-equipped Century presents very differently from one on RWL sport tires, even if both are technically Buick-fit sizes. If you are restoring a car for judging, use the factory literature, the tire placard, and Century-specific marque knowledge to confirm what belongs on your particular car before finalizing the tire style.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a shown 1986 Buick because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice more than just whether the tires physically fit the wheels. Size, sidewall style, and the overall visual relationship between the tire and the car’s trim level all affect how authentic the finished car looks. On a formal Electra or LeSabre, a wide or narrow whitewall can support the period look, while a raised-letter performance tire can change the character immediately.

The standard for “correct” depends on the event. A marque-oriented show may be stricter about matching the tire type the car would have worn in period, while a local cruise-in may simply reward a coherent, era-appropriate appearance. If you are building for serious judging, confirm not only the size but also whether the sidewall treatment aligns with your Buick’s original market position and equipment level.

For a 1986 Buick Skylark in 185/80R13, Coker Classic Star Series and BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial are both wide-whitewall radials, but they differ slightly in load figure and product character. The Coker Classic Star Series carries a 1,323-pound load figure at 32 psi, while the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial carries 1,301 pounds at 35 psi. Both fit the 13-inch application and both deliver the broader whitewall look that suits a traditionally styled compact Buick well.

That means the decision is less about raw dimensions and more about the exact whitewall presentation and the details you want in a restoration. On a car where visual authenticity is the priority, small differences in sidewall profile and branding can matter just as much as the size itself. Compare the look you want on the finished Skylark, then match that to the tire’s sidewall style and overall stance on the wheel.

Yes, 1986 Buick tires can be appropriate for highway driving when the size, condition, and speed rating match the car’s use. Several sizes carry S ratings, which are rated to 112 mph, while performance-oriented sizes such as 215/60R15 and 205/70VR13 also appear with V ratings rated to 149 mph. Those numbers are well beyond ordinary highway speeds, but they are only part of the picture on an older Buick.

Real-world road safety depends just as much on the car itself. Brakes, suspension wear, steering condition, alignment, and how long the car has been sitting often matter more than the tire’s top-speed ceiling during normal cruising. A sound, correctly inflated tire on a mechanically healthy Buick is the goal. If the car has been off the road for a while, treat the first longer drive as a full recommissioning exercise, not just a tire check.

Inflation pressure for 1986 Buick tires should begin with the factory recommendation for your exact model, then be checked against the tire’s own rated load-and-pressure figure. Examples from the available Buick sizes include 185/75R14 at 35 or 44 psi depending on product, 205/75R14 at 35 psi, 215/65R15 at 35 psi, 215/60R15 at 35 psi on several products, 225/75R15 at 32 or 35 psi depending on product, and 185/80R13 at 32 or 35 psi depending on brand.

Do not transfer a pressure from one Buick size to another just because the cars look similar. A Century on 185/75R14 and a Riviera on 215/60R15 are different cases, and even within one size, brands can carry slightly different rated pressure figures. Use the door-jamb or owner’s manual recommendation as your starting point, then confirm the tire’s sidewall information and tune within that framework for even wear and stable road manners.

Before a longer drive in a 1986 Buick, inspect all four tires and the spare for cracking, bulges, punctures, irregular tread wear, and correct cold inflation pressure. Check that the valve stems are sound, the wheels are free of obvious damage, and the tire age is still within a reasonable service life. If the car has been sitting, look especially carefully for flat-spotting and for sidewalls that have dried or hardened with time.

That tire inspection should be part of a broader pre-trip check on any mid-1980s Buick. Verify brake feel, steering response, fluid levels, lights, belts, hoses, and charging condition before relying on the car for distance travel. Buick’s comfort-oriented chassis can mask early warning signs on the road, so it pays to catch them in the garage. A calm, methodical walk-around is still one of the best safety tools for any collector-era driver.