1986 Subaru Tire Fitment Guide

1986 Subaru vehicles use four tire sizes: 155R13, 165R13, 175/70R13, and 185/70R13. The DL uses 155R13 and 165R13, the GL uses 175/70R13 and 185/70R13, the GL-10 uses 175/70R13 and 185/70R13, the RX uses 185/70R13, and the XT uses 165R13 and 185/70R13. Every one of those sizes mounts on a 13-inch wheel. Where rim-width guidance is available, it ranges from 4.00 to 6.50 inches depending on the specific tire size.

That means the first fitment step on a 1986 Subaru is identifying the exact model, not just the year and make. Even though the wheel diameter stays the same across the range, the tire section width and profile vary enough that choosing by appearance alone can lead you toward the wrong fitment family. Once the model is confirmed, you can narrow the choice to the correct size and then compare brand, sidewall style, and speed-rating details within that size.

On a 1986 Subaru, 155R13 is a Euro-metric radial size. The 155 refers to nominal 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 code, this style is conventionally treated as an 80-series metric radial. In the 1986 Subaru range, 155R13 applies to the DL.

That makes 155R13 different from the later-looking 70-series sizes used on GL, GL-10, RX, and some XT applications. A buyer comparing 155R13 against 175/70R13 or 185/70R13 is not just looking at width, but also at a noticeably different tire profile and stance. If your DL still wears its original-size wheel and you want to stay close to the car’s intended proportions, this code points you toward the narrower Euro-metric radial family.

On a 1986 Subaru, 185/70R13 is a metric radial size with more detail built into the code than 155R13 or 165R13. The 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the 70 is the aspect ratio, the R stands for radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. This size was used on GL, GL-10, RX, and some XT applications. It is the broadest-fit 1986 Subaru size in the lineup.

That fuller size code helps modern buyers because it reads much like contemporary radial sizing, while the older Euro-metric codes can look less familiar. On a practical level, 185/70R13 also brings the widest product variety, with blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall options depending on the tire you choose. If you have a GL-family car, an RX, or an XT that uses this size, the next step is to match the tire’s style and speed rating to how the car will actually be driven.

No, 1986 Subaru models do not all share one tire size. The DL uses 155R13 and 165R13, the XT uses 165R13 and 185/70R13, the GL and GL-10 use 175/70R13 and 185/70R13, and the RX uses only 185/70R13. All of them stay on 13-inch wheels, but the width and profile vary from model to model. That variation is enough to make model identification essential before choosing a tire.

For an owner or restorer, that means a tire search should begin with the exact badge on the car rather than with Subaru alone. The difference is especially important with the XT, which overlaps two fitment groups, and with the DL, which stays in the narrower Euro-metric family. If the car has changed hands, been restored, or had wheels swapped over the years, checking the actual wheel and the current size marking before ordering is a smart final step.

1986 Subaru tire choices are mostly blackwall, which is the sidewall style available in 155R13, 165R13, and 175/70R13. The 185/70R13 size adds more visual variety, with blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall versions. That means the broader GL, GL-10, RX, and some XT fitment group has the most appearance choices, while DL and 165R13 XT applications remain more conventional in presentation.

For a stock-looking 1986 Subaru, blackwall is the most natural fit with the era and the way these cars were commonly presented in the U.S. market. Redline and wide whitewall options in 185/70R13 create a more customized look and may appeal to owners building a distinctive period-style driver rather than a factory-appearing car. Sidewall style does not replace fitment, so choose the correct size first and then decide how original or how personalized you want the finished car to look.

1986 Subaru tires are available from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Avon, depending on size. The 155R13 size comes from Michelin and Dunlop, 165R13 also comes from Michelin and Dunlop, 175/70R13 comes from Avon, and 185/70R13 is available from BFGoodrich, Avon, and Dunlop. All of these fitments are radial, but the brands differ in speed rating, sidewall style, and in some cases rim-width guidance.

That brand spread gives buyers several ways to approach the same year and make. One owner may want a straightforward blackwall radial in a stock-looking size, while another may care more about a period sport look or a distinctive sidewall treatment. The smart approach is to decide your exact tire size first, then compare the brands available within that size instead of trying to cross-shop brands that do not overlap in the same Subaru fitment.

For a 1986 Subaru in 185/70R13, the Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet and Avon CR6ZZ differ in both speed rating and wheel-fit details. The Dunlop carries a V speed rating, which corresponds to 149 mph, and has a recorded weight of 25 pounds. The Avon carries an H speed rating, which corresponds to 130 mph, has a recorded weight of 19.31 pounds, and fits rim widths from 4.5 to 6.0 inches. Both are blackwall radial tires on a 13-inch rim.

That comparison matters most for buyers who want a blackwall 185/70R13 and are deciding between two sport-oriented options. The Dunlop brings the higher stated speed capability, while the Avon has clearly defined rim-width guidance and a lower recorded weight. Neither point should override basic fitment, so the right choice comes down to the wheel you are using, the driving style you expect, and whether your Subaru is being kept closer to stock road use or set up with a more performance-minded character.

Rim-width guidance for 1986 Subaru tires varies by size. The 155R13 size reaches from 4.00 to 5.50 inches, 165R13 reaches from 4.50 to 6.00 inches, 175/70R13 reaches from 4.5 to 6.0 inches, and 185/70R13 spans roughly 4.5 to 6.50 inches depending on the tire. Every fitment uses a 13-inch rim diameter, but width compatibility still changes with the specific size and product.

That is why wheel diameter alone is not enough when setting up a 1986 Subaru. A 13-inch wheel may physically match the tire’s bead diameter while still being too narrow or too wide for the size you want to run. Before finalizing a choice, measure the actual wheel on the car or confirm its specification through a trusted wheel source. That simple check helps avoid mounting issues and preserves the tire’s intended shape and road manners.

Tube requirements on 1986 Subaru tires depend on the exact size and product. Michelin versions of 155R13 and 165R13 are marked TL, which indicates tubeless construction. Other products in those same sizes are not marked the same way, so tube status varies by product rather than staying uniform across the whole size. The 175/70R13 and 185/70R13 products here are radial 13-inch tires without TT markings in the size descriptions.

For a buyer, the practical lesson is to check the exact sidewall marking on the tire you choose and then consider the condition and design of the wheel it will be mounted on. Original wheels that are rusty, damaged, or not sealing well may call for a more cautious approach even when the tire itself is tubeless. If your 1986 Subaru still has older factory wheels, having a knowledgeable installer inspect the wheel before mounting is worthwhile.

Original 1986 Subaru wheels can share the same 13-inch tire bead diameter across all four sizes, because 155R13, 165R13, 175/70R13, and 185/70R13 all mount on 13-inch rims. That said, wheel width still matters. Rim-width guidance starts at 4.00 inches for some 155R13 applications and extends as wide as 6.50 inches for some 185/70R13 tires. A wheel that works for one size is not automatically ideal for every other size in the range.

That is especially important on a 1986 Subaru because the lineup mixes narrow Euro-metric radials with wider 70-series tires. If the car has its original wheels, the best approach is to confirm the wheel width before moving from one fitment family to another. If the wheels were changed at some point in the car’s life, verify both width and current tire clearance rather than assuming the existing setup matches the model’s original fitment.

A 1986 Subaru should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation, and move the car periodically so the same section of tread is not carrying the vehicle’s weight month after month. Radials generally resist flat-spotting better than older bias-ply designs, but long static storage can still create temporary shape issues and accelerate age-related cracking.

For a collector Subaru that spends much of its time parked, storage habits have as much influence on tire life as driving mileage does. If the car will sit for an extended season, many owners either roll it occasionally or use stands in a way that reduces constant loading on the tires while still supporting the car correctly. Clean concrete, a barrier under the tires, and stable temperature control all help preserve both the rubber and the wheel finish.

On a 1986 Subaru, tire age matters more than mileage in many cases because these cars are often driven sparingly. A useful rule is to begin paying close attention once a tire reaches five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as a strong point for replacement consideration, regardless of tread depth. The DOT date code on the tire is the place to confirm age. Collector cars can wear visually attractive tires that are still past their safest service window.

That age-based approach is especially important with older 13-inch Subaru fitments because the car may feel fine on a short local drive while the rubber has already hardened or begun to separate internally. If you recently acquired a 1986 Subaru, checking the date codes should be one of the first tire-related steps you take. Tread depth, sidewall appearance, and air retention all matter, but none of them should be used as a substitute for knowing the tire’s actual age.

Tires on a 1986 Subaru should be inspected before every drive and given a more thorough look before any longer outing. Check for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, and pressure loss. Pay attention to the valve stems as well, since stem age can become a weak link even when the tire itself still looks serviceable. A quick inspection is especially worthwhile on collector cars that may sit for days or weeks between drives.

That routine matters because an older Subaru can seem perfectly normal until the first highway stretch or the first sustained run after storage. A tire that has gone low, developed a crack, or started to separate can often be caught early with a careful visual and pressure check. Keeping a simple log of tire age, pressure, and inspection dates is a good habit for any occasional-use 1986 Subaru, whether it is a DL commuter survivor or a more enthusiast-focused RX or XT.

1986 Subaru tire choices here are all radial, and where speed ratings are present they include H and V examples. H corresponds to 130 mph, and V corresponds to 149 mph. Those ratings are comfortably above normal U.S. highway speeds, assuming the tires are in good condition, correctly inflated, and mounted on suitable wheels. On a car of this era, the overall mechanical condition of the brakes, suspension, alignment, and wheel bearings can matter just as much as the tire’s speed symbol.

For real-world use, safety comes down to matching the correct size to the model and making sure the tire is not simply old or deteriorated. A fresh radial in the proper 13-inch size is a far better highway companion than an aged tire with plenty of tread left. Before taking any 1986 Subaru onto faster roads, inspect the whole running gear and remember that the car’s vintage chassis design sets the character of the drive just as much as the tire does.

Inflation pressure for a 1986 Subaru should start with the factory recommendation for the specific model and tire size, then be checked against the tire maker’s own guidance for the product you choose. Some load-and-pressure figures are available within these sizes: BFGoodrich 185/70R13 examples carry 1,135 pounds at 35 psi, while a Dunlop 165R13 carries a maximum load capacity of 1,047 pounds and a Dunlop 155R13 carries 937 pounds. Those figures describe the tire’s capacity, not the automatic running pressure for every Subaru application.

That distinction matters because one size should not borrow a pressure figure from another just because both fit a 13-inch wheel. A lighter DL on 155R13 has different needs than an RX on 185/70R13, and the car’s own setup still governs normal inflation practice. Use the door-jamb or owner’s-manual recommendation when available, then confirm the tire itself is being used within its rated range. Pressure should always be checked cold, not after driving.

Before a longer drive in a 1986 Subaru, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, uneven wear, and proper cold pressure. Check the valve stems, confirm the spare is inflated and serviceable, and make sure the wheel fasteners are secure. If the car has been sitting, look for flat spots or signs that one tire has slowly lost air. Tires are only one part of the pre-trip routine, but they are one of the easiest places to catch trouble early.

A sensible longer-drive check on a 1986 Subaru also includes the age of the tires, not just their appearance. Older cars often see intermittent use, and that can hide problems until heat and speed build on the road. Once the tires pass inspection, continue with the rest of the basics: brake feel, fluid levels, lights, belts, hoses, and wheel-bearing or suspension noises. A compact Subaru from this period can still be very enjoyable on a trip when the preparation is handled carefully.