1986 Renault Tire Fitment Guide

1986 Renault vehicles use five sizes across three model lines. The Alliance and Encore use 155/80R13, 175/70R13, and 185/60R14, while the R18i uses 155R13 and 185/70R13. Four of those sizes mount on 13-inch rims, and 185/60R14 mounts on a 14-inch rim. Where rim-width guidance is available, 155/80R13 works with 4.00 to 5.50, 4.50 to 5.50, or 4.00 to 5.00-inch rims depending on product, 175/70R13 with 4.5 to 6.0, 185/60R14 with 5.0 to 6.0, 155R13 with 4.00 to 5.50, and 185/70R13 with 4.5 to 6.5-inch rims depending on product.

The key takeaway is that year and make are not enough on their own for 1986 Renault fitment. Start by confirming whether you have an Alliance, Encore, or R18i, then confirm the wheel diameter already on the car. That matters especially for Alliance and Encore owners, since those models can fall into either a 13-inch or 14-inch fitment. Once the model and wheel diameter are confirmed, you can narrow the choice to the exact size and then compare sidewall style, speed rating, and brand character.

On a 1986 Renault, 155R13 is a Euro-metric radial size used on the R18i. The 155 is the section width in millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 13 is the rim diameter in inches. Because no aspect ratio is printed in the code, this format conventionally indicates an 80-series profile. Michelin and Dunlop both offer this size as a blackwall radial, and H-rated versions carry a 130 mph ceiling.

That size code matters because 155R13 looks different from a modern, lower-profile metric radial even when the rim diameter is the same. On an R18i, it preserves the narrow European stance associated with many period Renault applications. It also means you should not assume that another 13-inch Renault size is interchangeable simply because the wheel diameter matches. Check the exact size on the car or in the vehicle literature, then compare the available 155R13 products for sidewall appearance and any tube marking before deciding.

No. The 1986 Renault Alliance and Encore share the same three radial sizes—155/80R13, 175/70R13, and 185/60R14—but the 1986 Renault R18i uses 155R13 and 185/70R13 instead. That means the Renault lineup for 1986 splits into two fitment groups rather than one universal year-make size. Even within the Alliance and Encore pair, wheel diameter can differ because one of their sizes uses a 14-inch rim while the others use 13-inch rims.

For a buyer, that changes the first question from “What fits a 1986 Renault?” to “Which 1986 Renault do I have?” If you own an Alliance or Encore, verify whether the car is on its 13-inch or 14-inch wheels before moving forward. If you own an R18i, stay within its two 13-inch sizes instead of borrowing Alliance or Encore fitment logic. Getting the model right up front avoids choosing a tire that may look similar on paper but belongs to a different branch of the Renault range.

Sidewall styling for 1986 Renault tires ranges from conservative blackwalls to more decorative whitewalls and even a redline in some sizes. The 155/80R13 used on Alliance and Encore is available in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall form. The 175/70R13 and 185/60R14 choices are blackwall only. On the R18i side, 155R13 is blackwall only, while 185/70R13 is available in blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall form.

Appearance can shape the personality of the car even when the fitment is mechanically correct. Blackwalls are generally the safest visual choice for preserving the understated European look associated with 1980s Renaults, while whitewalls or a redline can create a more stylized period presentation for an owner who is building a specific look. The smart approach is to decide first whether you want an original-feeling appearance or a customized visual statement, then stay within the correct size for your model and wheel diameter.

Several brands cover 1986 Renault fitments. Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel all offer 155/80R13. Avon covers 175/70R13, Michelin covers 185/60R14, Michelin and Dunlop cover 155R13, and BFGoodrich, Avon, and Dunlop cover 185/70R13. Every available size for 1986 Renault is a radial, but the brands differ in sidewall styling, speed-rating markings, and in some cases the wheel-width range each tire is built to suit.

That means brand choice on a 1986 Renault is often less about basic construction and more about matching the car’s intended use and visual style. A whitewall-equipped Alliance or Encore will naturally point you toward a different group than a blackwall, performance-leaning compact. The same is true for the R18i, where the wider 185/70R13 opens the door to more sidewall personalities than the narrower 155R13. Once the correct size is locked in, compare brands by appearance, speed symbol, and wheel-width compatibility.

For a 1986 Renault R18i in 185/70R13, BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial and Avon CR6ZZ serve different purposes. BFGoodrich offers that size with redline or wide whitewall styling, a 5.00 to 6.50-inch rim-width range, and a 1,135-pound load capacity at 35 psi. Avon CR6ZZ comes as a blackwall with an H speed rating, which carries a 130 mph ceiling, and a 4.5 to 6.0-inch rim-width range. Both are radials on 13-inch rims, but their visual and specification emphasis differs.

The practical difference comes down to the look you want and the wheel the tire will be mounted on. A BFGoodrich option makes sense when sidewall styling is part of the build theme, especially if the car carries a more customized or period-accessorized presentation. The Avon is the more restrained choice visually and adds a clear speed symbol for owners who like to compare that kind of specification. Before choosing either one, confirm your actual wheel width so the tire’s approved rim range lines up with the wheel already on the car.

Rim-width guidance for 1986 Renault tires varies by size and sometimes by brand within the same size. For 155/80R13, approved ranges include 4.00 to 5.50, 4.50 to 5.50, and 4.00 to 5.00 inches depending on the tire. The 175/70R13 uses 4.5 to 6.0-inch rims, 185/60R14 uses 5.0 to 6.0-inch rims, 155R13 uses 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims where stated, and 185/70R13 spans 4.5 to 6.5 inches depending on product. Those ranges are tied to the individual tire, not just the size code alone.

That makes the wheel itself an important checkpoint before ordering. Two tires with the same size marking may not share the exact same approved rim-width window, especially when one is styled as a whitewall specialty tire and another is a blackwall performance-leaning radial. Measure the wheel if there is any doubt, or verify it against the wheel specification already known for the car. Matching the tire to the wheel width helps preserve the intended profile, load support, and overall behavior.

Inner-tube requirements on 1986 Renault tires depend on the exact size and product. The 185/60R14 Michelin option is marked TL, which means tubeless. The 155R13 category varies by product, since one Michelin version is marked TL while the Dunlop example does not carry the same tubeless marking in the size description. The other available Renault sizes do not all carry a uniform tube designation across every product, so tube use should be confirmed from the sidewall marking and the wheel type being used.

The practical rule is to treat tube fitment as a tire-and-wheel question, not just a vehicle question. A tubeless-marked tire still needs a sound wheel and valve setup, while an older wheel condition may influence whether a tube is considered. If you are working with original Renault wheels, inspect them carefully for corrosion, sealing condition, and valve-stem compatibility. Confirm the exact marking on the tire you choose rather than assuming all products in the same size are handled the same way.

A stored 1986 Renault should be kept away from direct sunlight, standing moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and air compressors. Clean, dry storage with stable temperatures is best for any radial tire, especially on a collector car that may sit for long periods. Keeping the tires properly inflated during storage helps them hold shape, and moving the car periodically can reduce long-term set from sitting in one position on the same contact patch.

If the car will be down for an extended period, many owners also use wheel cradles or place the vehicle on stands to reduce sustained load on the tires. That approach can be especially helpful on lighter, low-use 1980s cars that may go months between drives. Before returning the car to the road, inspect each tire for cracking, flat-spot sensation, and any air loss that developed during storage. The spare deserves the same attention, since it is often forgotten until it is urgently needed.

On a 1986 Renault, tire age usually matters more than tread wear because many surviving cars are lightly driven collector or hobby vehicles. A good rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach the 5-to-7-year range and to treat around 10 years from the DOT date code as the point where replacement should be strongly considered, even if the tread still looks serviceable. Heat cycles, storage conditions, and sunlight exposure all affect lifespan.

That timeline is important because an older radial can appear healthy from a distance while losing flexibility or developing internal age-related deterioration. A Renault that only comes out for weekends, shows, or occasional errands can still age out its tires long before it wears them out. Check the DOT date code on every tire, including the spare, and weigh age alongside visible condition. If the car has been stored for years, a fresh inspection is wise before trusting it on regular road speeds.

Tires on a 1986 Renault should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended trip. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, embedded debris, and any sign that a tire is losing pressure. On sizes where tube status varies by product, valve condition and pressure retention deserve extra attention because a slow loss may point to more than simple tread wear. The spare should also be checked for pressure, age, and overall readiness.

Frequent inspection matters because an older car can go from parked to highway use without the kind of daily-use routine that exposes problems early. A quick walkaround before driving takes only a minute and can catch dry rot, a puncture, or a low tire before it becomes a roadside issue. On a longer outing, recheck the tires after the first stretch of driving and keep an eye on how the car tracks and rides. Changes in feel often show up before a problem becomes visually obvious.

The 1986 Renault Alliance used radial tires, and the period-correct fitment family for that model includes 155/80R13, 175/70R13, and 185/60R14 depending on the specific application. By 1986, radial construction was fully normal for compact passenger cars like the Alliance, so the key originality questions are size, profile, and sidewall appearance rather than bias-ply versus radial. Whitewall and blackwall choices both exist today within Alliance sizes, but the exact original appearance can vary with trim, market focus, and owner preference at the time.

For restoration work, the best approach is to confirm the car’s original tire placard, handbook, or surviving period photos before settling on one of the Alliance sizes. That is especially important because not every Alliance used the same wheel diameter. Once the correct size is established, choose the sidewall style that matches the car’s intended presentation, whether that is a plain blackwall compact or a more accessorized 1980s showroom look. Marque specialists and original sales literature are the right places to settle close authenticity questions.

Correct tire fitment does matter when showing a 1986 Renault, especially if the event values factory-style presentation. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts typically notice whether the size matches the model, whether the wheel diameter is appropriate, and whether the sidewall style fits the era and character of the car. On an Alliance, Encore, or R18i, a visibly wrong profile or an incorrect visual treatment can change the whole stance of the car even if the tire physically mounts.

That does not mean every event applies the same standard. Some gatherings reward originality closely, while others welcome tasteful personalization. If your Renault is being prepared for preservation-style display, confirm the exact size and appearance before mounting a set. If the car is meant for casual local shows, a correct-fit radial with a sidewall style that complements the car may be perfectly acceptable. Event rules, marque clubs, and period brochures are the best guides for deciding how strict your tire choice needs to be.

For a 1986 Renault R18i in 155R13, Michelin XAS and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet share the same basic size family but differ in a few practical details. The Michelin version is marked 155HR13 78H TL, carries a 4.00 to 5.50-inch rim-width range, and is explicitly marked tubeless. The Dunlop version is marked 155R13 78H, carries a 937-pound load figure, and appears as a blackwall radial without the same tubeless marking in the size description. Both are H-rated, with a 130 mph ceiling.

For an R18i owner, that means the choice is not simply brand preference. The Michelin gives you a clearly defined rim-width window and a stated tubeless marking, while the Dunlop brings a stated load figure that may help if you are comparing specifications closely. Since both keep the narrow 13-inch Euro-style fitment character of the car, the decision often comes down to which details matter more for your wheel, your setup, and your restoration goals. Confirm the wheel width and sidewall markings before making the final call.

1986 Renault tire options can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, properly inflated, and used within their speed-rating limits. Several 1986 Renault sizes carry H or V speed symbols depending on product, with H rated to 130 mph and V rated to 149 mph; one 155/80R13 product carries a T rating, which is 118 mph. Those ceilings are well above normal U.S. highway speeds. In real use, the age and mechanical condition of the Renault itself usually matter more than the raw speed symbol at ordinary cruising speeds.

The practical concern is not whether the tire can exceed legal road speeds, but whether the full car is ready for sustained driving after decades of service and storage. A healthy tire cannot compensate for old shocks, worn steering parts, tired brakes, or neglected wheel bearings. Before trusting any 1986 Renault on the highway, confirm the tires are fresh enough, evenly inflated, and free of age damage, then make sure the rest of the chassis is equally roadworthy. Tire safety and vehicle safety need to be evaluated together.

Inflation pressure on a 1986 Renault should follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation for the exact model and size first, with the tire’s own rating used as the product limit rather than a one-pressure-fits-all setting. Some available Renault tires include load-and-pressure figures, such as 155/80R13 at 959 pounds at 35 psi and 185/70R13 at 1,135 pounds at 35 psi on certain BFGoodrich products. Those numbers belong to those individual tire constructions and sizes and should not be transferred across the whole Renault range.

The best practice is to check the owner’s manual, tire placard, or factory service information for your exact Alliance, Encore, or R18i, then compare that recommendation with the tire you are using. A compact Renault on narrow 13-inch tires does not necessarily want the same pressure as one on a lower-profile 14-inch fitment. Start with the vehicle recommendation, confirm the tire is being used within its rated limits, and then monitor wear and ride quality rather than guessing from another Renault size.

Before a longer drive in a 1986 Renault, inspect all four tires and the spare for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation. Check valve stems, and if your chosen tire’s tube status varies by product, make sure the setup matches the tire marking and wheel condition. Also confirm lug torque, look for any sign of rubbing at full steering lock, and verify that the tire size on the car matches the wheel diameter. Even a correct-size tire is only one piece of long-trip readiness on an older Renault.

A longer outing is also the right time to think beyond the tires. Cooling system health, charging function, belts, hoses, brakes, and basic fluid levels all deserve attention on a 1980s Renault that may spend much of its life parked. Once underway, pay attention to steering feel, vibration, and any pull that develops as the tires warm up. Small changes in behavior can point to pressure loss, flat spotting, or an underlying chassis issue before it turns into a more serious interruption.