1987 Renault arrived in the U.S. with two very different passenger-car lines: the compact, AMC-built Alliance and the larger, more European-flavored Medallion. That split matters because tire sizing was not shared across the full Renault range for the year, and even within the Alliance, size changed with the model’s wheel and trim intent. Across 1987 Renault models, five radial sizes appear in total, spanning 13-, 14-, and 15-inch fitments rather than one universal setup. The first step is to confirm whether you have an Alliance or a Medallion, then match the exact tire size and rim diameter before narrowing down sidewall style and driving character.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1987 Renault
Five tire sizes were used across 1987 Renault vehicles, and they vary by model rather than carrying across the whole make. The real decision starts with confirming the correct model and rim diameter, since these sizes span 13-, 14-, and 15-inch wheels and are not interchangeable by appearance alone. Understanding that distinction before choosing a product saves time and helps ensure the right match.
Year(s): 1987|Fit(s): Alliance|Construction: Radial|Rim: 13 in
155/80R13 is a metric radial with a 155-millimeter section width, an 80-series aspect ratio, and a 13-inch rim diameter. This Alliance-specific size is available from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles, with T-rated versions to 118 mph also present and load figures reaching 959 pounds at 35 psi. It suits owners who want the smaller-wheel Alliance fitment with a strong emphasis on original-era whitewall appearance.
Year(s): 1987|Fit(s): Alliance|Construction: Radial|Rim: 13 in
175/70R13 is a metric radial that uses a 175-millimeter section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and a 13-inch rim diameter. This size is specific to certain 1987 Renault Alliance applications and is available from Avon in a blackwall configuration with an H speed rating, which carries a 130 mph ceiling. It is the right direction for an Alliance owner who needs this exact 13-inch performance-oriented fitment rather than a whitewall restoration look.
Year(s): 1987|Fit(s): Alliance|Construction: Radial|Rim: 14 in
185/60R14 is a metric radial with a 185-millimeter section width, a 60-series aspect ratio, and a 14-inch rim diameter. This Alliance-specific size is available from Michelin as a blackwall radial, and the tire carries a V speed rating with a 149 mph ceiling and TL tubeless marking. It fits Alliance applications that moved to a lower-profile 14-inch setup and is best for owners who want the exact size with a more modern late-1980s handling character.
Year(s): 1987|Fit(s): Alliance|Construction: Radial|Rim: 15 in
195/50R15 is a metric radial using a 195-millimeter section width, a 50-series aspect ratio, and a 15-inch rim diameter. This size is specific to certain 1987 Renault Alliance applications and comes from BFGoodrich and Michelin in blackwall form, with V-rated options to 149 mph and load figures up to 1,047 pounds at 44 psi; tube status varies by product. It is the most aggressive Alliance fitment of the group and suits owners who have the correct 15-inch wheels and want the period sport-compact look that goes with them.
Year(s): 1987|Fit(s): Medallion|Construction: Radial|Rim: 14-in rim
185/65R14 is a metric radial with a 185-millimeter section width, a 65-series aspect ratio, and a 14-inch rim diameter. This size is specific to the 1987 Renault Medallion. It is the size to focus on if you own the larger Medallion, since the Alliance sizes do not serve as year-wide Renault substitutes.
Two Renault model lines are covered for 1987. Tire sizing varies by model, and in the case of the Alliance, it also varies within the model line, so identifying the exact model before choosing a size matters more here than simply knowing the year and make. Select your model below to narrow the fitment history and tire choices.
1987 Renault Alliance
The Alliance was Renault’s compact U.S.-market car, developed through the AMC partnership and sold in several body styles with economy-minded and sportier personalities under one nameplate. Its tires mount on 13-, 14-, or 15-inch rims depending on the application, which is why Alliance owners need to confirm the exact size before moving forward.
The Medallion brought a larger, more European family-sedan feel to Renault’s late-1980s U.S. range, separate in character and packaging from the smaller Alliance. Its tire fitment centers on a 14-inch rim, which keeps Medallion selection more straightforward once the model is identified.
Eight products are available across five tire sizes for 1987 Renault vehicles. The 155/80R13 comes in four radial choices from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel with narrow and wide whitewall styles; 175/70R13 has one Avon radial blackwall; 185/60R14 has one Michelin radial blackwall; 195/50R15 has two radial blackwalls from BFGoodrich and Michelin. Confirm your exact size first, since tube markings and speed ratings can vary between products.
These FAQs sort out how 1987 Renault tire sizing changes between Alliance and Medallion models, what each metric size code means, which sidewall styles and brands are available, and what to check before fitting tires to a low-use late-1980s collector car.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1987 Renault vehicles?
1987 Renault vehicles used five tire sizes: 155/80R13, 175/70R13, 185/60R14, and 195/50R15 on the Alliance, plus 185/65R14 on the Medallion. The two 13-inch Alliance sizes share rim diameter but not section width or profile, while the 14-inch and 15-inch Alliance options move to different wheel diameters altogether. Product fitment ranges also show rim-width windows where available: 155/80R13 runs from 4.00 to 5.50 inches depending on brand, 175/70R13 from 4.5 to 6.0, 185/60R14 from 5.0 to 6.0, and 195/50R15 from 5.5 to 7.0.
That means year and make alone are not enough for a confident tire choice on a 1987 Renault. Alliance owners need to verify which of the four sizes matches the car’s wheels, while Medallion owners should focus on the single 185/65R14 fitment. Checking the size molded into the existing tire sidewall and confirming the wheel diameter before ordering is the quickest way to avoid crossing over into another Alliance application that may look close on paper but mounts on a different rim.
What does 155/80R13 mean on a 1987 Renault tire?
On a 1987 Renault, 155/80R13 means the tire is about 155 millimeters wide, uses an 80-series aspect ratio, has radial construction, and fits a 13-inch wheel. That size appears on certain Alliance applications rather than across the full Renault range for the year. Available versions include whitewall radials from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel, with rim-width ranges running from 4.00 to 5.50 inches depending on the tire.
For an Alliance owner, that code matters because it points toward the small-wheel, taller-sidewall setup in the 1987 Renault lineup. It also opens up more visual choice than the sportier blackwall Alliance sizes, since this size comes in both narrow and wide whitewall styles. If your car currently wears 13-inch wheels and you care about preserving an authentic 1980s economy-car appearance, 155/80R13 is the first size to investigate.
Do all 1987 Renault models use the same tire size?
No, 1987 Renault models do not use the same tire size. The Alliance alone spans four sizes—155/80R13, 175/70R13, 185/60R14, and 195/50R15—while the Medallion uses 185/65R14. That spread covers three wheel diameters and several different section widths and sidewall profiles, so there is no single year-wide Renault tire choice.
The practical takeaway is simple: identify the model first, then confirm the exact size on the car or wheel before comparing products. Alliance owners especially should not assume another Alliance size will work just because it belongs to the same model line. Medallion selection is more straightforward, but it still pays to verify the sidewall marking and wheel diameter so you stay with the fitment intended for that larger platform.
Buying the Right Tire
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Renault tires?
1987 Renault tire sidewall style depends heavily on size. The 155/80R13 used on certain Alliance applications is available in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall form, while the 175/70R13, 185/60R14, and 195/50R15 Alliance sizes are blackwall radials. The Medallion’s 185/65R14 fitment stays outside the whitewall-heavy part of the Alliance range, so the visual choices are not the same across the two model lines.
That matters because appearance can be just as important as dimensions on a collector car. A whitewall can suit a more original, everyday Alliance presentation, while a blackwall better matches the lower-profile, sport-oriented Alliance sizes. Before choosing by look alone, make sure the sidewall style you want is offered in your exact size, since sidewall treatments change with the fitment rather than carrying across all 1987 Renault applications.
What brands make tires for 1987 Renault vehicles?
1987 Renault tires are available from several brands depending on size. The 155/80R13 is offered by Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel; the 175/70R13 comes from Avon; the 185/60R14 comes from Michelin; and the 195/50R15 is available from BFGoodrich and Michelin. Brand choice is therefore broadest in the smaller whitewall-oriented Alliance size and narrower in the lower-profile performance sizes.
Brand selection should follow the size first, not the other way around. If you own a 13-inch Alliance and want visual flexibility, the 155/80R13 gives you the widest range of makers and sidewall treatments. If your car uses one of the sportier Alliance sizes, the available brands are more concentrated, so your decision usually comes down to staying faithful to the exact wheel diameter and profile that belongs on your particular 1987 Renault.
What is the difference between the BFGoodrich and Michelin 195/50R15 tires for a 1987 Renault?
For a 1987 Renault using 195/50R15, both BFGoodrich and Michelin offer blackwall radial tires with a V speed rating, which carries a 149 mph ceiling. The BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Comp 2 shows a maximum load of 1,047 pounds at 44 psi and fits 5.5- to 7.0-inch rims, while the Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 also fits 5.5- to 7-inch rims and carries a TL tubeless marking. Weight differs as well, with the BFGoodrich at 20 pounds and the Michelin at 17 pounds.
Those distinctions help refine the choice once you know your Alliance uses the 15-inch setup. Some owners will focus on the BFGoodrich’s published load-and-pressure figure, while others will prefer the Michelin’s lighter specification and explicit tubeless marking. Both belong to the same general late-1980s sport-compact fitment theme, so the key is comparing the exact details that matter most for your wheel, intended use, and setup preferences.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1987 Renault tires require?
Rim-width recommendations vary by size on 1987 Renault vehicles. The 155/80R13 works on wheels from 4.00 to 5.50 inches wide depending on brand, the 175/70R13 fits 4.5 to 6.0 inches, the 185/60R14 fits 5.0 to 6.0 inches, and the 195/50R15 fits 5.5 to 7.0 inches. Those ranges track the shift from taller 13-inch Alliance tires toward lower-profile 14- and 15-inch Alliance fitments.
Rim width matters because the right tire can still be the wrong match if the wheel is too narrow or too wide for that product’s approved range. Measuring the wheel before installation is worthwhile on any 1987 Renault, especially if the car has changed hands or may have received aftermarket wheels years ago. Keeping the tire within its intended rim-width window helps preserve sidewall shape, steering feel, and general fitment integrity.
Do 1987 Renault tires require inner tubes?
Inner-tube requirements vary by size and product on 1987 Renault tires. The 185/60R14 Michelin and one of the 195/50R15 Michelin products carry TL tubeless markings, while the 195/50R15 size as a whole varies by product because not every version includes that same marking. The other sizes do not all carry explicit tube-status markings in the product descriptions, so tube decisions should stay tied to the exact tire you choose and the wheel it will be mounted on.
The safest approach is to match the tire’s own sidewall marking and construction to the actual wheel condition rather than assuming all 1987 Renault radials are handled the same way. A clean, sound tubeless wheel may support a TL tire without issue, but an older wheel with corrosion, damage, or sealing problems can change the setup conversation. Confirm tube usage at the product level before mounting, not by make and year alone.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1987 Renault when the tires are fitted?
A 1987 Renault should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, and other ozone sources that can age rubber. Keep the tires properly inflated, avoid parking on damp soil or bare concrete for long periods, and move the car occasionally so the same contact patch is not carrying weight month after month. Because every size used on 1987 Renault models is radial, storage concerns center more on age, pressure retention, and environmental exposure than on classic bias-ply flat-spotting behavior.
Long stationary periods are common for collector and hobby cars, so a little preparation pays off. If the car will sit through a season, clean the tires, use covers if the storage area gets light, and consider stands or cradles if the storage interval is especially long. That routine helps preserve sidewall appearance and reduces the chance that your 1987 Renault comes out of storage with vibration, weather checking, or unevenly stressed tires.
How long do tires on a 1987 Renault typically last?
Tire life on a 1987 Renault is usually judged more by age and condition than by mileage, especially on collector cars that see limited use. A good rule is to begin careful evaluation around five to seven years and to treat roughly ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration, even if tread depth still looks acceptable. The DOT date code on the sidewall is the best way to establish the tire’s actual age.
A low-mile 1987 Renault can still be riding on old rubber that no longer offers the stability and safety margin it once did. Sidewall cracking, hardening, vibration, or a tire that will not hold pressure are stronger warning signs than odometer reading alone. If the car’s service history is unclear, check the date code before planning any regular driving or highway use.
How often should tires on a 1987 Renault be inspected?
Tires on a 1987 Renault should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and signs of pressure loss, and confirm that the valve stems are in sound condition. A quick walk-around catches most age-related problems that develop while the car is parked rather than while it is being driven.
That habit matters even more on a car from the late 1980s, where the tires may age out long before they wear out. Monthly pressure checks are wise for cars that are driven only occasionally, and the spare should be checked on the same schedule if the car still carries one. Regular inspection turns a possible roadside surprise into a simple maintenance decision made in the garage.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1987 Renault tires safe for highway driving?
1987 Renault tires can be suitable for highway driving when the tires are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within their ratings. The sizes with explicit speed markings here include 155/80R13 in T-rated form to 118 mph, 175/70R13 in H-rated form to 130 mph, and both 185/60R14 and 195/50R15 in V-rated form to 149 mph. Those figures are well beyond normal U.S. highway speeds, but tire age, inflation, alignment, and the car’s own mechanical condition matter just as much.
A 1987 Renault does not need an extreme speed rating to be comfortable on modern roads; it needs a fresh, properly matched tire and a chassis that is ready for use. Brakes, suspension wear, and steering condition often become the limiting factors on an older car before the tire’s speed ceiling does. If highway driving is part of your plan, prioritize condition and setup over headline numbers.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1987 Renault tires?
Inflation pressure on a 1987 Renault should follow the car’s factory recommendation first, then stay within the tire’s own maximum load-and-pressure limits. Published figures vary by size and product: 155/80R13 appears with 959 pounds at 35 psi, while one 195/50R15 appears with 1,047 pounds at 44 psi. Those numbers are not interchangeable across sizes, and they are not a substitute for the pressure Renault intended for the vehicle itself.
Use the owner’s manual or door-jamb placard as your baseline, then confirm the chosen tire’s sidewall information before setting final pressures. A lower-profile Alliance setup may react differently to pressure changes than a taller 13-inch tire, so copying one size’s habits to another can lead to poor wear and harsher ride quality. Checking cold pressures regularly is the best way to keep any 1987 Renault driving as intended.
What should I check before taking a 1987 Renault on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 1987 Renault, inspect all four tires for cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, uneven wear, and correct cold inflation. Make sure the tires hold pressure, verify the valve stems are sound, and check the spare if the car carries one. A longer drive also calls for a broader age-appropriate mechanical review, including brakes, belts, hoses, fluids, and cooling-system condition.
That extra inspection matters because many 1987 Renault cars now live as occasional-use classics rather than daily commuters. Problems that stay hidden during short local trips often appear once the car builds heat and speed over distance. Giving the tires the same attention as the rest of the car helps prevent vibration, handling surprises, and avoidable roadside interruptions.
