1998 Chrysler Tire Fitment Guide

1998 Chrysler vehicles use seven tire sizes across three model lines. The Cirrus uses 195/65R15. The Concorde uses either 205/70R15 or 225/60R16. The Sebring uses 205/65R15, 215/55R16, 195/70R14, 205/55R16, or 215/50R17. Rim diameters across the range are 14, 15, 16, and 17 inches, so there is no single year-wide Chrysler fitment for 1998.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose a tire for a 1998 Chrysler. You need to identify the model first, then confirm the wheel diameter already on the car. Once that is settled, the remaining choice usually comes down to the exact metric size and, for some applications, whether you want a blackwall, whitewall, redline, or another period-style sidewall treatment.

On a 1998 Chrysler, a size such as 205/70R15 follows modern metric radial convention. The 205 is the tire's nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R means radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. The same decoding logic applies to the other Chrysler sizes here, including 195/65R15, 225/60R16, 215/55R16, 195/70R14, 205/55R16, and 215/50R17.

Reading the code correctly helps prevent the most common ordering mistake, which is matching section width while missing the wheel diameter or profile. A 205/70R15 and a 205/55R16 may share the same nominal width, but they fit different wheels and have very different proportions. When comparing options for a 1998 Chrysler, treat the full code as one fitment, not just the first number.

No. 1998 Chrysler models do not use one common tire size. Cirrus uses a single 15-inch fitment, Concorde spans both 15-inch and 16-inch fitments, and Sebring covers the widest spread with 14-, 15-, 16-, and 17-inch applications depending on configuration. Every size in the range is model-specific rather than shared across the full Chrysler lineup for that year.

That distinction matters because two 1998 Chrysler cars parked side by side can require completely different tires even though they are from the same model year. If you are unsure, verify the model badge and check the current tire sidewall or wheel diameter before going farther. That quick confirmation narrows the field much faster than comparing all seven sizes at once.

1998 Chrysler tire choices span several sidewall styles depending on size. Blackwall appears in 205/70R15, 215/55R16, 195/70R14, 205/55R16, and 215/50R17. Whitewall variations appear in 205/70R15, 225/60R16, 205/65R15, and 215/55R16. Redline appears in 225/60R16, 205/65R15, and 215/55R16, while pin-white-stripe and raised yellow letter appear in 225/60R16.

For a 1998 Chrysler, sidewall choice is often more about visual direction than basic fitment. A blackwall usually preserves a late-1990s factory-style look, while whitewall and redline treatments push the car toward a more custom, boulevard, or retro presentation. The safest approach is to confirm the correct size first, then choose the sidewall style that matches how original or personalized you want the car to appear.

1998 Chrysler applications are covered by several brands, but the selection changes by size. The 205/70R15 comes from Maxxis, Michelin, Avon, and American Classic. The 225/60R16 comes from Goodyear and BFGoodrich. The 205/65R15 comes from BFGoodrich. The 215/55R16 comes from BFGoodrich and American Classic. The 195/70R14 comes from Dunlop. The 205/55R16 comes from BFGoodrich and Michelin, and the 215/50R17 comes from BFGoodrich.

That spread means the broadest brand choice sits in some sizes, not across the whole 1998 Chrysler range. If you are drawn to a particular brand family or a certain sidewall look, check that preference against your exact size rather than assuming it carries over to every model. Brand selection is especially important on Concorde and Sebring, where one wheel package may offer a very different mix of tire personalities than another.

In 205/55R16 for a 1998 Chrysler, BFGoodrich g-Force options and the Michelin SX MXX3 N2 share blackwall radial construction and 16-inch fitment, but they differ in detail. The BFGoodrich g-Force products carry W speed ratings at 168 mph and include load figures up to 1,477 pounds at 50 psi on the Phenom T/A. The Michelin SX MXX3 N2 appears as a 205/55ZR16 91Y TL, placing it in a Y-rated category above 186 mph, with a 5.50- to 7.50-inch rim-width range.

For a Sebring owner, that comparison is less about chasing top speed and more about selecting the kind of modern performance radial character you want in the correct size. The Michelin and BFGoodrich choices both stay within the same basic fitment, but their speed-category markings and product personalities are not identical. Matching the tire to your wheel width and intended use is the sensible next step.

Rim-width guidance varies by size on 1998 Chrysler applications. The 205/70R15 works with wheels from 5.00 to 7.50 inches wide depending on the tire, while 205/65R15 runs on 5.50 to 7.50 inches. The 225/60R16 spans 6.0 to 9.0 inches, 215/55R16 uses 5.50 to 7.50 inches where specified, 205/55R16 uses 5.5 to 7.5 inches, and 215/50R17 uses 6.0 to 7.5 inches.

Those ranges show why wheel width matters even after the tire size is correct. Two tires with the same rim diameter can still have different approved wheel-width windows, and some sizes have broader fitment flexibility than others. Before choosing a tire for a 1998 Chrysler, measure the actual wheel or confirm its width so the tire and wheel work together as intended.

Some 1998 Chrysler tire products are clearly marked tubeless, while many others simply appear as modern radial passenger-car tires without a separate tube-type marking. The Michelin 205/70VR15 and Michelin 205/55ZR16 are identified with TL markings, meaning tubeless. Across the rest of these radial applications, there is no pattern here that points to an inner-tube requirement as a normal feature of the fitment.

In practice, a 1998 Chrysler owner should treat these as modern radial applications and verify the exact sidewall marking on the chosen product along with the condition of the wheel itself. Tube decisions should follow the tire marking and the wheel's construction, not assumptions carried over from older collector cars. If the wheels have been changed from original, that extra check becomes even more important.

A 1998 Chrysler should be stored with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, standing water, and ozone-producing sources such as electric motors, battery chargers, and some shop equipment. Keep the tires properly inflated, park on a clean surface, and move the car periodically if possible so one spot on each tire is not carrying the load for months at a time. These are all radial fitments, so they generally handle storage better than old bias-ply designs, but age and environment still matter.

Long static storage can still harden rubber, encourage surface cracking, and create vibration complaints when the car returns to the road. If a 1998 Chrysler will sit for an extended season, many owners use tire cradles or stands to reduce stress on the contact patch. Even a well-kept garage car benefits from a quick pressure and sidewall check before its first drive back into service.

On a collector or lightly used 1998 Chrysler, tire age is usually more important than mileage. A sound rule is to start evaluating tires closely once they reach about five to seven years of age and to consider replacement around the ten-year mark regardless of tread depth. The DOT date code on the sidewall is the easiest way to tell when the tire was built.

That matters because a low-mileage Chrysler can still be riding on old rubber that looks acceptable at first glance. Sidewall cracking, hardening, vibration, and reduced wet-road confidence often appear with age long before the tread is worn out. If the tires came on the car when you acquired it, checking the date codes should be one of the first maintenance steps.

Tires on a 1998 Chrysler deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more careful check before any longer trip. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure. Pay attention to the valve stems as well, since aging stems can fail even when the tread still looks serviceable.

A regular inspection routine catches the problems that matter most on a mature collector or hobby car, especially one that may sit for long stretches between outings. It also helps you spot alignment or suspension issues early if one edge of the tread is wearing faster than the other. For a 1998 Chrysler used mostly on weekends, that habit is more valuable than relying on mileage alone.

A 1998 Chrysler Cirrus belongs to an era when radial tires were standard equipment, and the fitment here centers on 195/65R15. That means the original-type construction for a Cirrus is a metric radial on a 15-inch wheel rather than an older bias-ply format. No original-equipment brand should be assumed from year and size alone, because factory supply could vary.

For a factory-style restoration, the main authenticity questions are the correct size, the proper wheel diameter, and whether the finished car should wear a conventional blackwall look or a more stylized sidewall. A late-1990s Chrysler generally looks most at home with a contemporary radial appearance. If you are restoring to a very specific market or trim standard, a Chrysler marque specialist can help confirm details beyond the basic size.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a shown 1998 Chrysler, even if the judging is less rigid than on prewar or early postwar cars. Size, overall visual proportion, construction type, wheel diameter, and sidewall treatment all affect how authentic the finished car appears. A late-1990s Chrysler wearing the wrong wheel diameter or an obviously non-period sidewall treatment can look out of place even if the tire physically mounts.

The closer you want the car to feel to showroom-correct presentation, the more carefully you should match the exact size family used on your model. A custom-oriented Concorde or Sebring may intentionally use whitewalls, redlines, or other accent sidewalls, but that is a style decision rather than a factory-authentic one. Event rules and marque expectations still vary, so it is smart to check those before finalizing the car.

On 1998 Chrysler applications where both appear, BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial and American Classic Radial differ mainly in the sizes and sidewall treatments they cover. In 225/60R16, BFGoodrich offers redline, pin-white-stripe, and wide whitewall versions with a broad 6.00- to 9.00-inch rim-width range. In 205/70R15, American Classic appears as a wide whitewall radial with a 5.50- to 7.50-inch rim-width range, while Maxxis also covers that size with a narrow whitewall.

For a Chrysler owner, the practical distinction is usually visual and fitment-specific rather than one tire being universally preferable. The exact size on the car determines which brand families are even available, and then sidewall treatment becomes the next filter. If you are building a custom-look Concorde or Sebring, compare the wheel width first so the styling choice stays within the tire's approved range.

Yes, 1998 Chrysler tires can be suitable for highway driving when the size, condition, and speed rating match the car and its use. Every fitment here is a radial, and several carry modern speed markings. Examples include V-rated tires at 149 mph, W-rated tires at 168 mph, and a Y-rated 205/55ZR16 at 186 mph and above. Those figures are far beyond normal highway travel, so age, inflation, and condition usually matter more in real-world use.

The more meaningful limit on a 1998 Chrysler is often the overall condition of the car rather than the raw speed ceiling printed on the tire. Suspension wear, alignment, brakes, and long-term storage history can affect stability just as much as tire choice. If the tires are fresh and properly maintained, the next smart step is treating the car as a complete system before planning sustained highway miles.

Inflation pressure on a 1998 Chrysler should start with the vehicle's factory recommendation, then be checked against the tire's own rated pressure and load information. Some tires here show figures such as 1499 pounds at 35 psi for 205/70R15, 1400 pounds at 35 psi for 205/65R15, 1609 pounds at 44 psi or 34 psi depending on the 225/60R16 product, 1190 pounds at 35 psi for 215/55R16, 1356 pounds at 51 psi or 1477 pounds at 50 psi for some 205/55R16 products, and 1521 pounds at 50 psi for some 215/50R17 products.

Those are maximum-rated load-and-pressure references for specific tires, not a universal instruction to inflate every 1998 Chrysler tire to the same number. Keep pressures tied to your exact size and product, and use the carmaker's recommendation for normal service unless the tire manufacturer advises otherwise for that application. Mixing pressure guidance from one size into another is a common mistake and can change ride and wear noticeably.

Before a longer drive in a 1998 Chrysler, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and do not forget the spare. Check the valve stems, make sure the tread is not separating, and verify that the tires are old enough to trust by reading the date codes if their age is uncertain. Any vibration, pull, or repeated air loss deserves attention before the trip starts.

A tire inspection is only one part of preparing a late-1990s Chrysler for distance, but it is one of the most important because the car may look road-ready while riding on aged rubber. Add a broader mechanical check of brakes, cooling system, fluids, and lights, especially if the car has spent much of its life in occasional-use service. A careful pre-drive routine is easier and cheaper than troubleshooting on the roadside.