By 1987, Honda had firmly established itself as a maker of efficient, well-engineered passenger cars with a lineup that ranged from practical commuter models to more sporting coupes and hatchbacks. The 1987 Honda range covered familiar nameplates such as Accord, Civic, Prelude, and Wagovan, and tire choice varies more by model than by make alone. Across these four models, Honda used four radial sizes, with some shared between two models and others specific to certain Civic applications, so the real decision starts with identifying the exact model and wheel diameter. Once that is settled, choosing the right tire becomes a matter of matching the correct size and the type of driving or presentation you want.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1987 Honda
Four tire sizes are used across 1987 Honda vehicles, and they vary by model rather than carrying across the full lineup. Because these sizes span both 13-inch and 14-inch rim diameters, the first step is confirming your exact model and wheel diameter before comparing brands or sidewall styles. Understanding that distinction up front saves time and helps you narrow in on the right match.
Year(s): 1987|Fit(s): Accord, Prelude|Construction: Radial|Rim: 13 in
185/70R13 is a metric radial size with a 185-millimeter section width, a stated 70-series aspect ratio, and a fitment for 13-inch wheels. This size is available from BFGoodrich, Avon, and Dunlop in blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall styles, and speed ratings vary by product, including H up to 130 mph and V up to 149 mph. It is specific to 1987 Honda Accord and Prelude models rather than universal across the full Honda range. Buyers who want the broadest mix of appearance choices for a 13-inch Honda application will find the most variety here.
Year(s): 1987|Fit(s): Civic, Wagovan|Construction: Radial|Rim: 13-in rim
165/70R13 is a metric radial with a 165-millimeter section width, a stated 70-series aspect ratio, and a 13-inch rim diameter. It serves 1987 Honda Civic and Wagovan applications, making it a model-specific 13-inch size rather than one used across every 1987 Honda. This size suits owners who need the narrower original-size format associated with lighter, economy-focused Honda models from the period. Confirm the exact model before ordering, since other 1987 Civic versions also used different sizes.
Year(s): 1987|Fit(s): Civic|Construction: Radial|Rim: 13 in
175/70R13 is a metric radial size that uses a 175-millimeter section width, a stated 70-series aspect ratio, and a 13-inch wheel. Avon offers this size in a blackwall configuration, with an H speed rating up to 130 mph. This size is specific to certain 1987 Honda Civic applications and does not apply across the rest of the Honda lineup for the year. It is the right choice when your Civic calls for a mid-width 13-inch radial rather than the narrower 165 section or the 14-inch fitment.
Year(s): 1987|Fit(s): Civic|Construction: Radial|Rim: 14 in
185/60R14 is a metric radial with a 185-millimeter section width, a stated 60-series aspect ratio, and a fitment for 14-inch wheels. Michelin offers this size as a blackwall radial, and the product in this fitment is marked TL for tubeless use with a V speed rating up to 149 mph. This size is specific to certain 1987 Honda Civic applications and stands apart from the 13-inch Honda sizes used elsewhere in the lineup. Owners should choose it only after confirming that their Civic has the correct 14-inch wheel fitment.
Four 1987 Honda models are covered here: Accord, Civic, Prelude, and Wagovan. Tire size varies by model, and the Civic itself spans multiple sizes, so year and make alone are not enough to choose correctly. Select your model below to narrow the fitment history and see the tires that apply to your specific Honda.
1987 Honda Accord
The 1987 Honda Accord was one of Honda's core mainstream cars, known for balanced road manners and broad appeal in sedan and hatchback form. Its tire fitment here centers on a 13-inch application shared with the Prelude, which makes model identification important when comparing appearance-focused options such as blackwall, redline, or whitewall radials.
The 1987 Honda Civic covered a wide range of body styles and trim personalities, from basic commuter duty to more sporting versions. That variety is reflected in its tire fitments, which include both 13-inch and 14-inch applications depending on the specific Civic. Matching the exact model and wheel diameter matters more here than with any other 1987 Honda nameplate.
The 1987 Honda Prelude carried Honda's sporty coupe character, with a more performance-oriented image than the brand's economy models. It uses the same 13-inch tire size seen on the Accord here, but owner priorities often lean more toward blackwall radial presentation and road-focused feel than toward traditional whitewall styling.
The 1987 Honda Wagovan was an unusual, utility-minded Civic derivative aimed at buyers who wanted compact packaging with extra cargo flexibility. Its fitment uses a 13-inch radial size shared with part of the Civic range, which keeps it in the smaller, economy-car side of the 1987 Honda tire family.
Nine products are available across three tire sizes for 1987 Honda vehicles. The 185/70R13 has seven radial options from BFGoodrich, Avon, and Dunlop in blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall styles, while 175/70R13 is an Avon blackwall radial and 185/60R14 is a Michelin blackwall radial. Confirm your exact size first, since speed ratings and tube status can vary by product.
These FAQs cover how 1987 Honda tire sizes differ across Accord, Civic, Prelude, and Wagovan models, what the metric size codes mean, and how sidewall style, speed rating, storage, and road-use checks affect a collector or enthusiast-owned Honda.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1987 Honda vehicles?
1987 Honda vehicles use four radial sizes across the model range: 185/70R13 for Accord and Prelude, 165/70R13 for Civic and Wagovan, 175/70R13 for certain Civic applications, and 185/60R14 for certain Civic applications. The 13-inch sizes mount on 13-inch wheels, while the 185/60R14 mounts on a 14-inch wheel. Rim width guidance is available for 185/70R13 at 4.5 to 6.5 inches depending on the tire, for 175/70R13 at 4.5 to 6.0 inches, and for 185/60R14 at 5.0 to 6.0 inches.
The practical takeaway is that year and make alone are not enough for a 1987 Honda. Civic fitment especially needs a closer look, because it spans three different sizes and two wheel diameters. Check the sidewall on the tire already on the car, confirm the wheel diameter, and then match the size to your specific model before moving on to brand, speed rating, or sidewall style.
What does 185/70R13 mean on a 1987 Honda tire?
On a 1987 Honda, 185/70R13 is a metric radial size. The 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, the R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. In this year-make grouping, that size fits the Accord and Prelude and appears in several blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall versions, with speed ratings that reach H or V depending on the tire.
That matters because 185/70R13 is not just one tire style with one personality. An Accord owner seeking a more traditional appearance may gravitate toward redline or whitewall options, while a Prelude owner may prefer a blackwall radial with a higher speed rating. The important step is keeping the size correct first, then choosing the version that matches how the car will be presented and driven.
Do all 1987 Honda models use the same tire size?
No, 1987 Honda models do not all use the same tire size. Accord and Prelude share 185/70R13, Civic appears in 165/70R13, 175/70R13, and 185/60R14 depending on the version, and Wagovan shares 165/70R13 with part of the Civic range. That means the Honda lineup for 1987 includes both shared sizes across two models and model-specific sizes that belong to only one nameplate or a subset of one nameplate.
For a buyer, that changes the process considerably. If you have an Accord, Prelude, or Wagovan, the path is more straightforward once the model is confirmed. If you have a Civic, it is wise to verify the exact wheel diameter and current size before choosing a replacement, since assuming that every 1987 Civic used the same tire can easily lead to the wrong order.
Buying the Right Tire
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Honda tires?
1987 Honda tire sidewall choices vary by size. The 185/70R13 offers the most variety, with blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall options. The 175/70R13 and 185/60R14 are available as blackwall radials, which is also the sidewall style associated with the more modern, performance-oriented look many 1980s Japanese cars carried. Sidewall style is therefore tied not just to size, but to the particular model and wheel fitment.
That gives owners some room to tailor the look, especially on an Accord using 185/70R13. A whitewall or redline can create a more custom or period-accessory appearance, while blackwall remains the most natural visual fit for a stock-looking late-1980s Honda. If authenticity matters for a specific restoration theme, match the sidewall style to the presentation you want rather than assuming every available style would have been typical for the car.
What brands make tires for 1987 Honda vehicles?
1987 Honda fitments here are covered by BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, and Michelin. The 185/70R13 is available from BFGoodrich, Avon, and Dunlop, the 175/70R13 is available from Avon, and the 185/60R14 is available from Michelin. All of these fitments are radial, but the brands differ in sidewall presentation and, in some cases, speed rating.
Brand choice becomes most meaningful once the correct size is settled. An Accord or Prelude owner in 185/70R13 has the widest spread of appearance options and speed-rating variation, while a Civic owner in 175/70R13 or 185/60R14 is choosing from a narrower pool. If the goal is to balance visual style with intended road use, compare the exact tire series within your confirmed size rather than shopping by brand name alone.
What is the difference between BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial and Avon CR6ZZ for a 1987 Honda?
For a 1987 Honda in 185/70R13, BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial and Avon CR6ZZ serve different priorities. The BFGoodrich option appears in redline and wide whitewall forms, carries a 1,135-pound maximum load rating at 35 psi where marked, and fits rim widths from 5.0 to 6.5 inches. The Avon CR6ZZ is a blackwall radial with an H speed rating up to 130 mph and a rim width range of 4.5 to 6.0 inches.
That means the BFGoodrich tire leans more toward appearance-driven presentation for owners who want a period-styled sidewall, while the Avon keeps a cleaner blackwall look with a sport-oriented character. Neither choice changes the need to stay with the correct 185/70R13 size for the car. The better fit for your project depends on whether your priority is sidewall styling, wheel-width compatibility, or the kind of road use the car will see.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1987 Honda tires require?
Rim width guidance for 1987 Honda tires depends on the size and, in some cases, the tire itself. The 185/70R13 works on rim widths from 4.5 to 6.5 inches depending on the product, the 175/70R13 fits 4.5 to 6.0 inches, and the 185/60R14 fits 5.0 to 6.0 inches. Those ranges should be treated as size-specific rather than interchangeable across the whole 1987 Honda lineup.
That matters most if your car has replacement wheels or if you are trying to move between two sizes that seem close on paper. A Civic using a 14-inch tire cannot simply be matched to a 13-inch wheel, and even among 13-inch options, width compatibility still needs to be checked. Measure the actual wheel if there is any doubt, especially on cars that may have changed hands or been modified over the years.
Do 1987 Honda tires require inner tubes?
1987 Honda tube requirements vary by size and by product. The 185/60R14 Michelin option is explicitly marked TL, meaning tubeless. The 185/70R13 products include examples without a tube marking, and the 175/70R13 Avon product also appears without a tube marking, so tube status can vary by product or depend on the wheel and the tire's own sidewall marking. A radial size alone does not settle the question.
The safe approach is to confirm both the tire marking and the condition and design of the wheel that will be used. Original late-1980s Honda passenger wheels were commonly set up for tubeless radials, but replacement or refurbished wheels should still be inspected for bead-seat condition, corrosion, and valve-stem fit. If you are restoring a car with non-original wheels, verify tube guidance before mounting rather than after the tire is installed.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1987 Honda when the tires are fitted?
A 1987 Honda should be stored in a cool, dry, dark environment away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment. Keep the tires clean, maintain inflation, and move the car periodically so one section of the casing is not carrying the same load for months at a time. Radial tires generally tolerate storage better than older bias-ply designs, but long static periods can still promote flat spotting and sidewall aging.
For a car that sits through winter or between shows, the goal is reducing both environmental damage and prolonged stress at one contact patch. Short monthly movement helps, and some owners use tire cradles or stands if the car will be stationary for an extended period. Storage conditions often influence long-term tire health more than low annual mileage does, especially on collector cars that spend more time parked than driven.
How long do tires on a 1987 Honda typically last?
On a 1987 Honda, tire age usually matters more than tread wear because many enthusiast-owned cars see modest mileage. A good rule is to evaluate tires carefully once they reach about five to seven years of age and to give serious replacement consideration as they approach ten years, regardless of remaining tread depth. The DOT date code on the sidewall tells you when the tire was made, and that date is one of the most important facts in any service-life decision.
Mileage can still matter on a regularly driven Accord or Civic, but time, heat cycling, and storage conditions are often the bigger concerns on older vehicles. A tire that looks acceptable at a glance may still be aging internally. If the car is driven infrequently, keep a record of installation date and inspections so replacement decisions are based on age and condition rather than appearance alone.
How often should tires on a 1987 Honda be inspected?
Tires on a 1987 Honda should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer trip. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, embedded objects, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure. If your particular tire-and-wheel combination uses tubes, include the valve stem and tube-related hardware in the inspection routine, since those parts can age separately from the tire itself.
A quick walkaround is often enough for local driving, but an older car heading out for a highway run deserves a more deliberate check. Verify cold inflation pressure, inspect the spare, and pay attention to any vibration or pull that develops once underway. Small issues on a lightly used collector Honda can go unnoticed for months, so frequent visual checks are one of the simplest ways to prevent a roadside surprise.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1987 Honda tires safe for highway driving?
1987 Honda tires can be suitable for highway driving when the correct size is chosen, the tire is in sound condition, and its speed rating matches the intended use. Among these fitments, H-rated tires are rated up to 130 mph and V-rated tires up to 149 mph. Those figures are well beyond normal U.S. highway speeds, and for most late-1980s Hondas the overall mechanical condition of the car, including suspension, brakes, alignment, and wheel condition, is just as important as the tire itself.
Safety on the road comes from the entire package working together. A properly inflated, age-appropriate radial in the correct size is only one part of that equation. Before relying on a 1987 Honda for regular higher-speed travel, inspect the tires thoroughly, confirm the load and speed suitability of the exact product you are using, and make sure the rest of the car is ready for the same level of use.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1987 Honda tires?
Inflation pressure on a 1987 Honda should follow the vehicle's factory recommendation for the model and tire size, while also respecting the tire's own maximum pressure marking. Among these fitments, some 185/70R13 tires carry a 1,135-pound maximum load at 35 psi, and the load information shown for one Dunlop 185/70R13 example is 1,047 pounds. Those figures describe the tire's rated capacity at a stated pressure and should not be treated as a universal inflation target for every 1987 Honda size.
Use the owner's manual or the vehicle placard as the starting point for normal driving pressure, then compare that guidance with the sidewall information on the exact tire installed. Do not transfer a pressure figure from 185/70R13 to 175/70R13 or 185/60R14 simply because the tires seem similar. Correct pressure depends on the specific size, the car's intended load, and the tire design you are actually running.
What should I check before taking a 1987 Honda on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 1987 Honda, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and proper cold inflation. Check the valve stems, confirm that the spare is usable, and make sure the wheel nuts are properly secured. On a collector or infrequently driven Honda, the tires should be part of a broader pre-drive review that also includes brakes, fluid levels, belts, hoses, lighting, and charging system health.
Longer drives expose old-car weaknesses that short local trips may never reveal. Even if the tread looks healthy, age-related sidewall issues or a neglected spare can cut a trip short quickly. A few minutes spent checking the tires and the rest of the car before departure is especially worthwhile on an older Honda that may have spent long periods parked between outings.
