1987 Mitsubishi Tire Fitment Guide

1987 Mitsubishi vehicles use eleven sizes across six models: 185/70R13 and 195/60R14 for Cordia and Tredia; 185/70R14 and 195/60R15 for Galant; 145/80R13, 155/80R13, and 185/60R14 for Mirage; 155/80R13 and 175/70R13 for Precis; and 205/55R16, 225/50R16, and 215/60R15 for Starion. Rim diameters span 13, 14, 15, and 16 inches, and where rim-width guidance exists it ranges from 4.00 to 8.0 inches depending on the size.

That spread means year and make alone are not enough for a confident choice on a 1987 Mitsubishi. Check the exact model, then verify the wheel diameter already on the car, because several models offered more than one fitment and the Starion's sizes are entirely different from the compact and mid-size sedans. Once that is settled, you can compare sidewall style, speed rating, and brand within the correct size instead of crossing into a different wheel package.

On a 1987 Mitsubishi, 185/70R13 is a metric radial size. The 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, the R means radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. Within this year and make, that size fits the Cordia and Tredia.

Understanding the code helps you avoid mixing it up with nearby Mitsubishi sizes such as 185/70R14 or 195/60R14, which mount on different wheel diameters and are not interchangeable without the matching wheels. If your Cordia or Tredia already wears 13-inch wheels, 185/70R13 keeps you in the correct wheel family while still leaving room to choose among blackwall, redline, or wide whitewall styling depending on the look you want.

No, 1987 Mitsubishi models do not all use the same tire size. Cordia and Tredia share 185/70R13 and 195/60R14, Mirage and Precis overlap at 155/80R13, while Galant uses 185/70R14 and 195/60R15, and Starion carries its own 205/55R16, 225/50R16, and 215/60R15 fitments. Every size is radial, but the dimensions and wheel diameters vary widely from one model to another.

That matters because a 1987 Mitsubishi buyer often needs to identify the model before anything else, especially when the car has changed hands or wears aftermarket wheels. Closely related cars can share one size and differ on another, and a Starion owner's choices have almost nothing in common with a Mirage owner's options. Matching the car to its correct size family is the fastest way to avoid ordering a tire for the wrong wheel diameter.

1987 Mitsubishi tire choices cover a wide range of sidewall styles depending on size. Blackwall appears across many fitments, including Galant and Starion performance-oriented sizes. Whitewall options show up in several compact and mid-size sizes such as 155/80R13, 185/70R13, 185/70R14, 195/60R15, and 215/60R15, while redline and RWL options also appear in selected 13-inch and 15-inch sizes.

The right sidewall style depends on both the car and the look you want. A blackwall usually suits late-1980s original-style sport and economy applications, while whitewalls or redlines can appeal to owners building a more customized presentation or echoing period aftermarket trends. Because sidewall styling changes by size, start with the correct fitment for your 1987 Mitsubishi and then narrow the visual choice within that size rather than choosing the look first.

Brands covering 1987 Mitsubishi fitments include BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, Travelstar, Maxxis, Tornel, and American Classic. Coverage varies by size: BFGoodrich, Avon, and Dunlop appear in 185/70R13; Michelin covers 195/60R14 and 185/60R14; BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, and Michelin cover 185/70R14; BFGoodrich and Michelin cover 195/60R15 and the 16-inch Starion sizes; and Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel appear in 155/80R13.

That brand spread gives 1987 Mitsubishi owners very different decision paths depending on model. A compact Mitsubishi owner may be comparing whitewall-oriented choices in a small 13-inch size, while a Starion owner is usually looking at blackwall performance radials from BFGoodrich or Michelin. It helps to choose by the role of the car first—economy driver, sport coupe, or visual restoration theme—and then compare the brands that exist within the correct size.

For a 1987 Mitsubishi Galant in 195/60R15, the BFGoodrich Radial T/A uses raised white letters, carries an S speed rating to 112 mph, supports up to 1,190 pounds at 35 psi, and fits 5.50- to 7.00-inch rims. The Michelin Primacy 3 is a blackwall tire marked TL for tubeless use, carries a V speed rating to 149 mph, and fits 5.5- to 7-inch rims. Both are radial 15-inch fitments for the same size family, but they present very different visual and rating profiles.

The practical choice comes down to appearance and intended use. A Galant owner after a stronger period aftermarket look may prefer the BFGoodrich with its RWL styling, while someone who wants a more understated late-model blackwall presentation may lean toward the Michelin. Since both fit the same size, compare the sidewall treatment, speed rating, and the wheel already on the car rather than assuming all 195/60R15 options feel or look the same.

Rim-width guidance for 1987 Mitsubishi tires varies by size. 185/70R13 fits roughly 4.5 to 6.5 inches depending on the tire, 185/70R14 fits about 4.5 to 6.5 inches, 195/60R15 fits 5.5 to 7.0 inches, 155/80R13 runs from 4.0 to 5.5 inches, 185/60R14 fits 5.0 to 6.0 inches, 175/70R13 fits 4.5 to 6.0 inches, 205/55R16 fits 5.5 to 7.5 inches, 225/50R16 fits 6.0 to 8.0 inches, and 215/60R15 fits about 5.5 to 7.5 inches.

Those ranges are one reason not to select a tire by size code alone on a 1987 Mitsubishi, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels or factory wheels from another model. A tire can share the correct diameter and still want a different wheel width range. Measure the wheel or verify its width before ordering, then match the tire to both the size and the wheel rather than treating the sidewall number as the only fitment checkpoint.

Several 1987 Mitsubishi tire options are explicitly marked TL for tubeless use, including examples in 195/60R14, 185/70R14, 195/60R15, 185/60R14, 205/55R16, and 225/50R16. Other sizes carry no tube marking in the available examples, so tube status can vary by product rather than by year and make alone. That is especially important on a page covering multiple Mitsubishi models, wheel diameters, and tire series.

The wheel itself matters just as much as the tire marking. If your 1987 Mitsubishi still uses original tubeless-compatible passenger-car wheels in good condition, a TL-marked tire is usually the natural match. If the car has older replacement wheels, corrosion issues, or a specialty setup, confirm the exact tire marking and wheel condition before final installation. Checking that detail early prevents surprises after you have already chosen a size and sidewall style.

Original 1987 Mitsubishi wheels cannot be treated as universal across all models and sizes because the tire range spans 13-, 14-, 15-, and 16-inch rim diameters. A Cordia or Tredia wheel may suit either of its two original size families if the diameter matches, but a Galant, Mirage, Precis, or Starion can require a completely different rim diameter and width range. The Starion in particular stands apart with both 15-inch and 16-inch fitments.

The safest approach is to confirm the actual wheel diameter on your 1987 Mitsubishi first, then compare its width to the tire's approved range. Even when two sizes belong to the same model, they may represent different wheel packages rather than interchangeable tires on a single wheel. Treat the existing wheel as a physical measurement question, not just a model-year assumption, before deciding between the available size options.

A 1987 Mitsubishi should be stored on clean, properly inflated tires in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, furnaces, and other ozone sources. Radial tires generally tolerate storage better than older bias-ply designs, but they can still develop flat spotting, sidewall aging, and pressure loss if the car sits in one position for long periods. Moisture on the floor and constant temperature swings also accelerate cosmetic and structural aging.

For a lightly used Mirage, Galant, Cordia, Tredia, Precis, or Starion, move the car periodically or place it on tire cradles if it will sit for months at a time. Keep the tires off oil-soaked surfaces and check pressures during storage, not just before the first spring drive. Good storage habits preserve both the ride quality and the appearance of blackwall, whitewall, redline, and raised-white-letter tires alike.

On a 1987 Mitsubishi, tire life should be judged by age and condition more than mileage. A collector or low-use car may still need tire evaluation at about five to seven years, with replacement strongly considered by around ten years regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall gives the manufacturing week and year, which is often more important on specialty or seldom-driven cars than the odometer reading.

That age-based approach matters because many 1987 Mitsubishi vehicles now live as second cars, hobby cars, or occasional weekend drivers. Tread can look healthy while the carcass and sidewalls are aging out from time, heat cycles, and storage conditions. If your car feels fine but the tires are old, inspect them as aging rubber first and driven mileage second, especially before highway travel or a longer event weekend.

Tires on a 1987 Mitsubishi should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Look for cracking, bulges, punctures, irregular tread wear, low pressure, and damage around the bead area, and pay attention to valve stems on any tubeless setup. On cars that sit for long periods, also check for flat spotting and sidewall weathering before the first miles of the trip.

A quick walkaround is especially worthwhile on older enthusiast cars because they often spend more time parked than modern daily drivers. If your 1987 Mitsubishi has recently been awakened from storage, inspect the spare as well so the backup tire is not older or weaker than the four on the ground. Frequent inspection catches aging and slow leaks early, which is far easier than discovering them once the car is already on the road.

A 1987 Mitsubishi Cordia originally used radial tires, not bias-ply construction, and the fitments here are 185/70R13 and 195/60R14 depending on the wheel package. That aligns with the late-1980s shift toward radial passenger-car tires across imported sport compacts and sedans. Original-equipment brand can vary by market and trim history, so the key factory-era reference points are the correct size, radial construction, and the wheel diameter the car actually carried.

For a restoration, start by confirming whether your Cordia was built around the 13-inch or 14-inch setup, then choose a tire whose sidewall look suits the restoration goal. A blackwall usually aligns naturally with many 1980s imports, while period aftermarket styling can point some owners toward redline or whitewall alternatives. If the car will be judged, a Mitsubishi marque specialist or original literature can help confirm market-specific details beyond the basic size family.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1987 Mitsubishi, especially in classes that reward originality or era-correct presentation. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice the basic size, the wheel diameter, radial construction, and whether the sidewall treatment suits the period and type of car. A Starion on the wrong diameter, or a compact Mitsubishi wearing a sidewall style that fights the car's original character, can look out of place even to casual observers.

The standard is not the same at every event, which is why the best approach is to match the car's intended purpose. A local cruise night may welcome a personalized whitewall or redline treatment, while a stricter originality-focused class may expect a more factory-like blackwall radial presentation. Before a judged event, confirm the model's proper size family first and then compare your chosen sidewall style against the expectations of that specific club or concours.

For a 1987 Mitsubishi Starion in 205/55R16, the BFGoodrich g-Force Phenom T/A is a blackwall radial with a W speed rating to 168 mph, a maximum load of 1,477 pounds at 50 psi, and a 5.5- to 7.5-inch rim range. The Michelin SX MXX3 N2 is also a blackwall radial, but it carries a Y speed rating to 186-plus mph, is marked TL for tubeless use, and fits 5.50- to 7.50-inch rims. Both serve the same size slot, but their speed markings and presentation details differ.

For a Starion owner thinking about authenticity, the Michelin's more European-style late-performance presentation may appeal to those chasing a period high-performance look, while the BFGoodrich offers a modern enthusiast-brand interpretation within the same fitment. Neither choice changes the need to keep the Starion on the correct 16-inch size family. Compare them by speed marking, visual character, and the exact wheel on the car rather than treating all 205/55R16 tires as interchangeable in personality.

1987 Mitsubishi tires can be appropriate for highway driving when the tire is the correct size, in good condition, and used within its speed rating and load capability. The available speed ratings range from S at 112 mph and T at 118 mph through H at 130 mph, V at 149 mph, W at 168 mph, and Y at 186-plus mph depending on size and product. Every fitment here is radial, which is consistent with the era and generally well suited to normal modern-road use.

In practice, the bigger limit on many 1987 Mitsubishi cars is often the car itself rather than the tire. Brakes, suspension wear, alignment, and the general condition of an older vehicle matter just as much as the letter on the sidewall, especially on long freeway runs. Treat the speed rating as a ceiling, not a target, and make sure the whole car is roadworthy before asking the tires to do their job at sustained highway speeds.

Inflation pressure on a 1987 Mitsubishi depends on the exact tire size and product, so it should not be copied from one size to another. Several products include maximum load and pressure pairings, such as 1135 pounds at 35 psi for some 185/70R13 tires, 1201 pounds at 35 psi for some 185/70R14 tires, 1190 pounds at 35 psi for some 195/60R15 tires, 1411 pounds at 35 psi for some 215/60R15 tires, and up to 1477 pounds at 50 psi on one 205/55R16 option.

Those figures are load-capacity references, not a blanket recommendation to inflate every 1987 Mitsubishi tire to the maximum on the sidewall. Use the car's original owner guidance for baseline operating pressure, then confirm whether the specific reproduction or modern tire maker has additional recommendations for that tire. If the car wears a different but still correct fitment package, match the pressure strategy to that exact size and product instead of borrowing numbers from another Mitsubishi model.

Before a longer drive in a 1987 Mitsubishi, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, then check the spare tire as carefully as the four on the car. Look over the valve stems, confirm that the tire size matches the wheel package on the car, and pay attention to any tire that has been sitting under load for a long time. A late-discovered sidewall issue is one of the easiest ways to turn a pleasant vintage drive into a tow-home day.

The tire check should be part of a broader older-car routine that also covers brakes, wheel bearings, suspension, and fluids. On a Cordia, Galant, Mirage, Precis, Tredia, or Starion, the right tire still cannot compensate for neglected chassis or brake condition. If the car has recently come out of storage or has changed wheels in the past, take an extra minute to verify the actual size on the car against the intended fitment before heading out.