1987 Nissan Tire Fitment Guide

1987 Nissan vehicles use 10 tire sizes across six model lines: 205/60R15 and 195/60R15 for the 200SX, 215/60R15 and 225/50R16 for the 300ZX, 195/60R15 for the Maxima, 195/60R14 and 185/70R13 for the Pulsar NX, 175/70R13, 155/80R13, and 185/60R14 for the Sentra, and 185/70R14 for the Stanza. Rim diameters span 13, 14, 15, and 16 inches, so there is no single year-wide size for 1987 Nissan.

That means the first fitment question is always model identification, and on cars such as the 300ZX, Pulsar NX, and Sentra, wheel diameter matters just as much as model name. Rim-width coverage also changes by size, with examples such as 155/80R13 around 4.00 to 5.50 inches, 185/70R13 around 4.5 to 6.5 inches, 195/60R15 around 5.5 to 7 inches, 205/60R15 around 5.5 to 7.5 inches, and 225/50R16 around 6.0 to 8.0 inches depending on the tire.

On a 1987 Nissan, 205/60R15 is a metric radial size. The 205 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R means radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. Within the 1987 Nissan range, that size belongs to the 200SX rather than the full lineup.

Knowing how to read the code helps you avoid substituting a tire that may look close but mounts on a different wheel or changes the car's stance and response. Once the size is confirmed, the next choice becomes the tire's character: blackwall for a cleaner late-1980s look, RWL for a sportier period style, or whitewall if the car is being built with a more custom presentation.

No. 1987 Nissan covered compact sedans, hatchbacks, coupes, and a sports car, and the tire sizes reflect that spread. Only 195/60R15 is shared, appearing on both the 200SX and Maxima. Every other size is model-specific, and some models themselves split across two or three different fitments.

That matters because a buyer who starts with only year and make can still end up with the wrong wheel diameter or the wrong profile. The 300ZX is a good example, since it can use either a 15-inch or a 16-inch fitment, while the Sentra ranges from 13-inch sizes to a 14-inch option. Checking the sidewall on the current tire and the wheel diameter before ordering is the simplest way to narrow it correctly.

1987 Nissan tire choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, redline, and RWL depending on size. Sport-oriented sizes such as 225/50R16 stay blackwall, while 205/60R15, 195/60R15, 215/60R15, 185/70R13, 155/80R13, and 185/70R14 open the door to more visual variety. That range is broader than many buyers expect for a late-1980s import.

For a factory-leaning late-1980s look, blackwall is usually the easiest visual fit, especially on 300ZX, Pulsar NX, and higher-trim sporty applications. Whitewalls, redlines, and RWLs move the car toward a custom, period-personalized, or enthusiast style rather than strict showroom stock appearance. If the goal is authenticity for a judged car, sidewall style should be chosen with the same care as the size itself.

1987 Nissan sizes are covered by Michelin, BFGoodrich, American Classic, Coker Classic, Avon, Dunlop, Travelstar, Maxxis, and Tornel. Brand coverage changes by size: 205/60R15 mixes Michelin, American Classic, Coker Classic, and BFGoodrich; 215/60R15 adds Dunlop; 225/50R16 comes from BFGoodrich and Michelin; and compact sizes such as 155/80R13 include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel.

That brand spread lets buyers match the car's personality more closely instead of treating every 1987 Nissan the same way. A 300ZX owner may focus on performance-oriented blackwall choices, while a Sentra or Stanza owner may be more interested in whitewall offerings that capture a stronger period look. The size determines the brand pool first, so confirm the exact fitment before comparing brand names.

For 1987 Nissan applications in 205/60R15 and 195/60R15, BFGoodrich Radial T/A uses an RWL sidewall and carries S speed ratings in those sizes, while Michelin Primacy 3 uses a blackwall sidewall and carries W or V speed ratings depending on size. Both are radial tires on the same wheel diameters, but they present very different visual and rating profiles.

The practical difference is less about one being universally right and more about matching the tire to the car's intended look and use. A buyer chasing an enthusiast late-1980s sport aesthetic may prefer the raised white letter appearance, while a buyer who wants a cleaner, more understated blackwall presentation may lean toward Michelin. Checking the exact speed symbol on the sidewall is worthwhile when comparing otherwise similar fitments.

Rim-width coverage depends on the exact 1987 Nissan tire size. Examples include 155/80R13 at roughly 4.00 to 5.50 inches depending on brand, 175/70R13 at 4.5 to 6.0 inches, 185/70R13 at about 4.5 to 6.5 inches, 185/60R14 at 5.0 to 6.0 inches, 185/70R14 at about 4.5 to 6.5 inches, 195/60R15 at 5.5 to 7.0 inches, 205/60R15 at 5.5 to 7.5 inches, 215/60R15 at 5.5 to 7.5 inches, and 225/50R16 at 6.0 to 8.0 inches.

That range is why wheel width should be verified along with tire size, especially on cars that may have had aftermarket wheels installed over the years. A 15-inch or 14-inch wheel can still be too narrow or too wide for a particular tire model even when the diameter is correct. The safest approach is to match the tire to the actual wheel on the car rather than assuming every wheel from the same model line is identical.

Several 1987 Nissan fitments are clearly available as tubeless products, including examples marked TL in sizes such as 205/60R15, 195/60R15, 225/50R16, 195/60R14, 185/60R14, and 185/70R14. Other sizes do not consistently state tube type in the sidewall description, so the tire should be matched to the wheel design and the specific product's sidewall marking rather than assumed one way or the other.

On most late-1980s Nissan passenger cars with original-style one-piece road wheels, tubeless radial fitments are the usual expectation. Even so, an older wheel, a specialty wheel, or a product without an explicit TL marking deserves a closer check before installation. If the car has replacement wheels or a restoration history you did not supervise, confirm the wheel condition and valve-stem setup at the same time.

A stored 1987 Nissan should be kept out of direct sunlight, away from ozone sources such as electric motors and battery chargers, and in a space that stays as dry and temperature-stable as possible. Tires last better when they are clean, properly inflated, and not sitting for months on hot concrete or in damp conditions. Radials generally tolerate storage better than old bias-ply designs, but they still age from time, environment, and inactivity.

If the car will sit for an extended period, move it occasionally to change the contact patch or use stands in a way that does not stress the suspension or body. That is especially helpful on lower-profile 300ZX and sport-compact fitments that can show temporary flat spotting after long static storage. A simple breathable cover and periodic pressure checks go a long way toward preserving both appearance and ride quality.

On a collector-minded 1987 Nissan, tire age usually matters more than tread depth. A good rule is to begin paying close attention once tires reach the five- to seven-year range and to treat around ten years from the date code as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration, even if the car is driven sparingly. That applies whether the car is a Sentra commuter survivor or a weekend 300ZX.

Many older Nissans cover so few annual miles that the tires can look decent while still aging internally. The DOT date code and the tire's real storage history tell you more than odometer mileage alone. If the car is newly purchased and the age of the tires is unclear, replacement often becomes a baseline maintenance step before putting meaningful miles on the car.

Tires on a 1987 Nissan should be inspected before every drive and more carefully before any longer outing. Check for sidewall cracking, tread separation, uneven wear, cuts, bulges, pressure loss, and any vibration that was not present before. On a car that sits often, age-related cracking can become more important than tread wear.

A monthly walkaround is a smart habit even when the car is parked, because low pressure and sidewall deterioration can sneak up on low-use vehicles. On 13-inch and 14-inch compact-car fitments in particular, older tires may visually appear serviceable while the carcass has already hardened with age. Catching those issues early helps protect the wheel, suspension, and overall driving confidence before a short local drive turns into a roadside problem.

Many 1987 Nissan tire options carry modern radial construction and speed ratings appropriate for normal highway use. Available ratings include S at 112 mph, T at 118 mph, H at 130 mph, V at 149 mph, W at 168 mph, and Y above 186 mph depending on size and product. That gives the 1987 Nissan lineup a wide spread, from modest compact-car fitments to distinctly performance-oriented 300ZX applications.

Highway safety still depends on more than the letter on the sidewall. Tire age, inflation, wheel condition, alignment, brakes, and suspension health all matter, especially on a nearly 40-year-old vehicle. In many cases, the car's own mechanical condition and the driver's expectations are more important than the tire's theoretical top-speed ceiling during ordinary interstate travel.

Inflation pressure on a 1987 Nissan should follow the vehicle's factory recommendation first, then be checked against the tire manufacturer's maximum-load and maximum-pressure marking for the specific size. Some reproduction and specialty fitments also carry clear load-and-pressure pairings, such as 205/60R15 at 1,301 pounds at 35 psi or 1,521 pounds at 32 psi depending on the tire, 195/60R15 at 1,190 pounds at 35 psi, 215/60R15 at 1,411 pounds at 35 psi, 155/80R13 at 959 pounds at 35 psi, and 185/70R14 at 1,201 pounds at 35 psi or 1,235 pounds depending on the tire.

Those figures are load-capacity references, not universal settings to copy across every 1987 Nissan. A Sentra, Maxima, and 300ZX do not all place the same demands on the same tire size, and a 16-inch performance fitment should never borrow pressure assumptions from a 13-inch compact fitment. The best approach is to start with the car's original recommendation and fine-tune only within the tire's rated limits.

Before a longer drive in a 1987 Nissan, inspect all four tires and the spare for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation. Look closely at the valve stems, confirm that the wheel and lug hardware are in good condition, and pay attention to any old vibration, pull, or thump that suggests a tire or wheel issue. A nearly four-decade-old Nissan deserves that check even if the trip is not especially long.

The tire inspection should be part of a broader pre-drive routine that also includes brakes, coolant, belts, hoses, lights, and fluid levels. Cars such as the 300ZX may encourage higher cruising speeds, while compact models like the Sentra or Pulsar NX may simply be returning to regular service after long storage. Either way, a careful pre-trip inspection is the difference between a pleasant vintage drive and a preventable roadside interruption.