1989 Mitsubishi Tire Fitment Guide

1989 Mitsubishi vehicles use eight radial sizes across five model lines: 185/70R14 for the Galant, 195/60R15 for the Galant and Sigma, 155/80R13 for the Mirage and Precis, 175/70R13 for the Mirage and Precis, 195/60R14 for the Mirage, and 205/55R16, 225/50R16, and 245/45R16 for the Starion. These sizes mount on 13-inch, 14-inch, 15-inch, or 16-inch wheels depending on model. Rim-width guidance varies by size, with examples including 4.00-5.50 inches for some 155/80R13 tires, 5.00-6.50 for 185/70R14, 5.50-7.00 for 195/60R15, and 6.0-8.0 for some 225/50R16 tires.

The key point is that 1989 Mitsubishi fitment is model-specific, not universal across the whole make. A Mirage or Precis may share a 13-inch format, a Galant or Sigma may move into 14-inch or 15-inch territory, and the Starion stands apart with 16-inch performance sizes. Start by identifying the exact model and then confirm the wheel diameter actually on the car before comparing tread style, sidewall appearance, or brand.

On a 1989 Mitsubishi, 185/70R14 is a metric radial size. The 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the 70 is the aspect ratio, meaning the sidewall height is 70 percent of that width, the R indicates radial construction, and the 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. In this year and make, that size belongs to Galant applications.

That decoding matters because it separates width, profile, construction, and wheel size into one code. When you compare 185/70R14 with something like 195/60R15, you are not just changing tread width; you are also changing sidewall profile and wheel diameter. For a 1989 Mitsubishi owner, reading the size correctly is the fastest way to avoid mixing up similar-looking midsize fitments.

No. 1989 Mitsubishi models use different tire sizes depending on the model and application. The Galant uses 185/70R14 or 195/60R15, the Mirage uses 155/80R13, 175/70R13, or 195/60R14, the Precis uses 155/80R13 or 175/70R13, the Sigma uses 195/60R15, and the Starion uses 205/55R16, 225/50R16, or 245/45R16. That spread covers four wheel diameters and ranges from economy-car sizing to true late-1980s performance radial fitments.

For buyers, that means year and make are only the starting point. Mitsubishi's 1989 range stretched from small commuter cars to a turbocharged grand-tourer, so tire sizing followed the mission of each model. Confirm the model first, then verify the actual wheel diameter and the size stamped on the current tire or referenced in the vehicle literature before choosing a replacement.

1989 Mitsubishi tires are available in several sidewall styles depending on size. Whitewall choices appear in 155/80R13, 185/70R14, and 195/60R15, including narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions. Blackwall options appear across most sizes, while 195/60R15 also adds redline and raised white letter form. The 16-inch Starion sizes shown here stay in blackwall performance styling, which is consistent with the era and character of that model.

Sidewall style is mainly an appearance decision once the correct size is confirmed. A compact Mirage or Precis can lean toward a more traditional whitewall look, a Galant or Sigma can go from understated blackwall to more period-personality treatments, and a Starion usually looks most at home with blackwall performance radials. If originality matters, compare the sidewall treatment to period photos and marque references for your exact model.

1989 Mitsubishi fitments are covered by BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, Travelstar, Maxxis, and Tornel, depending on size. The 185/70R14 Galant size appears from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, and Michelin, while 195/60R15 for Galant and Sigma comes from BFGoodrich and Michelin. The 155/80R13 size for Mirage and Precis is available from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel, 175/70R13 comes from Avon, 195/60R14 from Michelin, and the Starion's 205/55R16 and 225/50R16 sizes from BFGoodrich and Michelin.

Brand choice often follows the character you want from the tire rather than a simple good-better-best ranking. Some options lean toward classic sidewall styling, while others reflect a later-performance blackwall presentation that suits late-1980s imports. Once you know the correct size, compare brands by sidewall style, speed rating, and wheel-width compatibility instead of choosing by name alone.

For 1989 Mitsubishi Galant and Sigma applications in 195/60R15, BFGoodrich covers several visual directions while Michelin stays with a blackwall modern radial presentation. BFGoodrich offers wide whitewall, redline, and RWL versions, and one BFGoodrich Radial T/A carries an S speed rating of 112 mph. Michelin Primacy 3 uses blackwall styling, carries a V speed rating of 149 mph, and fits a 5.5- to 7-inch rim width range, the same span shown on the BFGoodrich products with width guidance.

That makes the decision less about basic fitment and more about the personality you want the car to project. A Galant or Sigma owner chasing a custom, nostalgic, or period-style visual can gravitate toward BFGoodrich's sidewall variety, while a cleaner late-model appearance points more naturally toward the Michelin. Confirm the sidewall look and speed rating that suit your use before narrowing it further.

Rim-width guidance for 1989 Mitsubishi tires depends on the size. 155/80R13 appears with ranges from 4.00-5.50 inches depending on brand, 175/70R13 at 4.5-6.0, 185/70R14 at 4.5-6.5, 195/60R15 at 5.5-7.0, 205/55R16 at 5.5-7.5, and 225/50R16 at 6.0-8.0. Some sizes, such as 195/60R14 and 245/45R16, do not carry a width range here, so they should be checked directly against the exact tire and wheel combination you plan to use.

Wheel diameter gets most of the attention, but rim width matters just as much for proper tire shape and fit. A tire mounted on a wheel outside its approved width range can alter sidewall profile and contact patch behavior. Before choosing a 1989 Mitsubishi replacement, compare the actual wheel width on the car with the approved range for the exact product, not just the nominal tire size.

Most 1989 Mitsubishi fitments here are radial passenger-car tires, and some products are explicitly marked TL for tubeless use, including Michelin choices in 185/70R14, 195/60R15, 195/60R14, 205/55R16, and 225/50R16. Across several sizes, tube status varies by product because some tires carry a tubeless marking while others do not state it in the same way. None of these sizes are presented as uniformly tube-type fitments.

That means tube decisions should be made at the product level and in conjunction with the wheel itself. If the wheel is original, inspect its condition, bead seat, and valve-stem area before assuming tubeless service is appropriate. For a 1989 Mitsubishi owner, the safest path is to confirm the sidewall marking on the exact tire and match it to the wheel's condition and intended use.

No single original 1989 Mitsubishi wheel works with all tire sizes across the entire model range because the lineup uses 13-inch, 14-inch, 15-inch, and 16-inch diameters. A Mirage or Precis may use 13-inch wheels, a Galant may use 14-inch or 15-inch wheels, the Sigma uses 15-inch wheels in this guide, and the Starion uses 16-inch wheels. Diameter alone prevents those sizes from being universally interchangeable.

Even within one model family, you should not assume every optional size can be mounted on the same wheel without checking width as well. A 195/60R15 and a 185/70R14 are not just alternate tires; they are alternate wheel-and-tire packages. If your 1989 Mitsubishi has had wheels changed at some point in its life, confirm the actual wheel dimensions before selecting a tire.

A stored 1989 Mitsubishi should be kept out of direct sunlight and away from ozone-producing sources such as electric motors, battery chargers, welders, or air compressors. Clean, dry concrete is better than damp ground, and moderate temperature swings are easier on the tires than extreme heat or cold cycling. Inflation should be maintained during storage, and the car should be rolled periodically or supported in a way that avoids leaving one contact patch loaded in the same spot for months at a time.

Late-1980s radial tires generally resist flat-spotting better than older bias-ply designs, but long static storage can still age the casing and stress the sidewalls. A collector Mirage, Galant, Sigma, or Starion that sits for long stretches benefits from routine pressure checks and occasional movement. Good storage habits protect both appearance and service life, especially on cars driven only seasonally.

On a collector or low-use 1989 Mitsubishi, age usually matters more than tread wear. A practical rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach about five to seven years of service and to give serious replacement consideration by around ten years, even if tread depth still looks good. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the key reference for age, because a lightly driven car can still be riding on old rubber that has hardened or cracked.

That is especially important on hobby cars that look fresh but spend much of their time parked. A Starion with wide 16-inch performance radials and a Precis with narrow 13-inch whitewalls can both age out before they wear out. If your 1989 Mitsubishi sees occasional use, make tire age part of your maintenance routine instead of waiting for visible tread loss.

Tires on a 1989 Mitsubishi should be inspected before every drive and more carefully before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, nails or embedded debris, and signs of pressure loss. If the tire or wheel setup involves tubeless service, inspect the valve stems and bead area as well, since age-related leakage often starts there before a full failure appears.

Regular inspection matters because a collector car may sit for weeks and then be expected to drive at full road speed without much warning if something has changed. Short local drives can hide vibration, pressure loss, or casing problems that become obvious only on a longer trip. A two-minute walk-around before driving a 1989 Mitsubishi is one of the best habits an owner can develop.

1989 Mitsubishi tires can be suitable for highway driving when the correct size is used, the tires are in sound condition, and the speed rating matches the way the car will be driven. Speed ratings in these sizes include T at 118 mph, H at 130 mph, V at 149 mph, W at 168 mph, and Y at 186+ mph depending on the tire. All of the fitments here are radials, which aligns well with the late-1980s design and use pattern of Mitsubishi passenger cars and the Starion.

Real-world highway safety depends on more than the tire alone. Suspension condition, wheel alignment, braking system health, and age-related deterioration elsewhere on the car can matter just as much as the speed symbol on the sidewall. For a 1989 Mitsubishi, treat the tire as one part of an integrated system and match the tire's speed capability to sensible, legal road use rather than chasing a headline rating.

Inflation pressure for a 1989 Mitsubishi should start with the vehicle's factory recommendation and then be checked against the exact tire's own load-and-pressure information where it is given. Examples here include 1201 pounds at 35 psi for one 185/70R14, 1190 pounds at 35 psi for some 195/60R15 tires, 959 pounds at 35 psi for several 155/80R13 tires, 1356 pounds at 51 psi for one 205/55R16, 1477 pounds at 50 psi for another 205/55R16, and 1389 pounds at 51 psi for one 225/50R16.

Those figures are maximum load-and-pressure references for specific tires, not a blanket instruction to inflate every 1989 Mitsubishi to the same number. A compact Mirage, a Sigma sedan, and a Starion performance coupe do not share the same operating needs. Use the car's original placard or owner literature as the baseline, then confirm that your chosen tire's load range and intended service are compatible.

Before a longer drive in a 1989 Mitsubishi, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and proper inflation. Check valve stems, confirm the spare is serviceable, and make sure wheel lug torque, alignment, and suspension condition are all in reasonable order. On older cars, a tire can look usable from a distance while still showing age-related hardening or sidewall distress up close.

That pre-drive routine is especially important if the car is used intermittently, as many surviving Galants, Mirages, Sigmas, Precises, and Starions are today. A half-hour inspection in the garage can prevent vibration, poor handling, or a roadside failure once the car is fully warmed up at speed. Tires deserve the first look, but they should be part of a broader mechanical check before any substantial trip.