1998 Honda Trucks covered two very different utility vehicles: the compact, car-based CR-V and the larger, truck-oriented Passport. That split matters when you get into tires, because Honda used four radial sizes across just two models, with the CR-V on one 15-inch fitment and the Passport spanning both 15-inch and 16-inch choices depending on configuration. The real choice for a buyer usually starts with identifying the model first, then confirming whether the Passport in question takes a 15-inch or 16-inch tire. Once that is settled, the next step is deciding between a more stock-style road tire look and a more truck-oriented tread or sidewall treatment.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1998 Honda Trucks
Four tire sizes are used across 1998 Honda Trucks vehicles, and they vary by model rather than being shared across the full range. Every size here is a radial, so the key decision is confirming the correct model and rim diameter first, especially for Passport applications that appear with both 15-inch and 16-inch fitments. Understanding that distinction before choosing a product saves time and helps match the tire to the vehicle correctly.
Year(s): 1998|Fit(s): CR-V|Construction: Radial|Rim: 15 in
A 205/70R15 is a radial tire with a 205-millimeter section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and a 15-inch rim diameter. This CR-V-specific size is available from Maxxis, Michelin, Avon, and American Classic in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall form, and speed ratings vary by product, including V at 149 mph and W at 168+ mph. Buyers who want to stay with the original size for a first-generation CR-V have a broad range of visual styles here, from understated blackwalls to more distinctive whitewall treatments.
Year(s): 1998|Fit(s): Passport|Construction: Radial|Rim: 16 in
A 245/70R16 is a radial tire with a 245-millimeter section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and a 16-inch rim diameter. This Passport-specific size is available from BFGoodrich with an RWL sidewall and an S speed rating, which carries a 112 mph ceiling. It suits owners who have a 16-inch Passport wheel setup and want a more truck-oriented tire character rather than a whitewall-oriented appearance.
Year(s): 1998|Fit(s): Passport|Construction: Radial|Rim: 15 in
A 215/75R15 is a radial tire with a 215-millimeter section width, a 75-series aspect ratio, and a 15-inch rim diameter. This Passport-specific size is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Tornel with RBL, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles, and the BFGoodrich version carries an S speed rating with a 112 mph ceiling. It is a strong choice for a 15-inch Passport application when the goal is to keep the correct size while choosing between a more utility-focused look and a more classic sidewall presentation.
Year(s): 1998|Fit(s): Passport|Construction: Radial|Rim: 15 in
A 235/75R15 is a radial tire with a 235-millimeter section width, a 75-series aspect ratio, and a 15-inch rim diameter. This Passport-specific size is available from BFGoodrich, American Classic, Maxxis, and Coker Classic with RWL, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewalls, and the BFGoodrich version carries an S speed rating with a 112 mph ceiling. Buyers using this size usually choose between a more traditional SUV tire appearance and a stronger vintage-style whitewall look while staying within the same basic Passport fitment family.
Two Honda truck-market models are covered for 1998: the CR-V and the Passport. They do not share the same tire sizing, and the Passport alone spans multiple fitments, so identifying the model is essential before narrowing down a tire. Select a model below for model-specific fitment history and products.
1998 Honda Trucks CR-V
The first-generation CR-V helped define the compact crossover segment, blending Honda passenger-car manners with light-utility versatility. Its tire fitment stays straightforward here, using a 15-inch wheel size that suits the CR-V's more road-oriented mission and clean, compact proportions.
The Passport was Honda's larger sport-utility entry in the late 1990s, with a more traditional truck-based character than the CR-V. Its tire fitments are broader, appearing on both 15-inch and 16-inch wheel diameters depending on configuration, which makes model and wheel confirmation especially important before choosing a tire.
Twenty products are available across four tire sizes for 1998 Honda Trucks vehicles. The 205/70R15 has 9 options from Maxxis, Michelin, Avon, and American Classic in radial blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles; 245/70R16 has 1 BFGoodrich radial with RWL styling; 215/75R15 has 10 options from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Tornel; and 235/75R15 has 10 options from BFGoodrich, American Classic, Maxxis, and Coker Classic.
These answers focus on how 1998 Honda Trucks tire fitment changes between the CR-V and Passport, what each metric size code means, and how sidewall style, rim width, highway use, and collector-style care affect your choice.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1998 Honda Trucks vehicles?
1998 Honda Trucks vehicles use four radial sizes: 205/70R15 for the CR-V, and 245/70R16, 215/75R15, or 235/75R15 for the Passport. The CR-V stays on a 15-inch rim diameter, while the Passport appears with both 15-inch and 16-inch fitments. Rim width ranges also differ by size: 205/70R15 products span roughly 5.0 to 7.5 inches, 245/70R16 runs 6.5 to 7.0 inches, 215/75R15 runs about 5.5 to 7.5 inches, and 235/75R15 runs about 6.0 to 8.5 inches.
That means year and make alone are not enough for a confident selection on a 1998 Honda Trucks page. A CR-V owner can go straight to 205/70R15, but a Passport owner should confirm both the exact size on the vehicle and whether the wheel is 15 or 16 inches before moving further. Matching the size code on the existing tire or checking the wheel itself is the quickest way to avoid crossing between Passport fitments that are not interchangeable by diameter.
What does 205/70R15 mean on a 1998 Honda Trucks tire?
On a 1998 Honda Trucks CR-V tire, 205/70R15 is a modern metric radial size. The 205 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, the R means radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. Within this size, rim fitment generally falls between 5.0 and 7.5 inches depending on the exact tire, and available styles include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions.
That decoding matters because it tells you this is not an older alphanumeric or numeric collector-car size being translated into a modern equivalent; it is already a modern metric format. For a 1998 Honda Trucks CR-V owner, the practical goal is to confirm the 205/70R15 marking and then choose the look and speed category that suit the vehicle's use, whether that means a restrained blackwall appearance or a more distinctive period-style whitewall treatment.
Do all 1998 Honda Trucks models use the same tire size?
No, 1998 Honda Trucks models do not all use the same tire size. The CR-V uses 205/70R15, while the Passport uses 215/75R15, 235/75R15, or 245/70R16. Even within the Passport range, the presence of both 15-inch and 16-inch rim diameters means tire choice changes with the exact configuration rather than just the badge on the tailgate.
That makes the model step especially important on this year-and-make page. If you own a CR-V, fitment is comparatively simple because there is one size path. If you own a Passport, treat the tire size on the sidewall and the wheel diameter as the first checkpoints before comparing brand, sidewall style, or tread character. That sequence keeps you from choosing a tire that is close in overall concept but wrong in bead diameter.
Buying the Right Tire
What sidewall styles are available for 1998 Honda Trucks tires?
1998 Honda Trucks tires are available in several sidewall styles depending on size. The 205/70R15 used on the CR-V comes in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions. Passport sizes bring their own mix: 245/70R16 appears with an RWL sidewall, 215/75R15 appears in RBL, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall form, and 235/75R15 appears in RWL, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall form.
For a late-1990s Honda truck or SUV, blackwall and raised-letter truck sidewalls are the most natural visual fit for an original-era look, especially on utility-oriented Passport applications. Whitewalls are more of a style choice than a factory-character choice on this generation, though they can be appealing on a custom build or a vehicle meant to lean into a more personalized appearance. Sidewall style will not change the basic size fitment, but it can change the whole personality of the vehicle.
What brands make tires for 1998 Honda Trucks vehicles?
1998 Honda Trucks fitments are covered by several brands, depending on size. The 205/70R15 used on the CR-V is available from Maxxis, Michelin, Avon, and American Classic. The Passport's 245/70R16 is available from BFGoodrich, the 215/75R15 is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Tornel, and the 235/75R15 is available from BFGoodrich, American Classic, Maxxis, and Coker Classic.
That spread gives buyers a clear way to narrow the field. If the goal is a more mainstream truck or SUV look, BFGoodrich stands out in the Passport sizes. If the goal is a classic-style whitewall presentation while staying in the correct metric size, brands such as American Classic, Coker Classic, Maxxis, and Tornel become more relevant. Start with the exact size your Honda uses, then compare sidewall style and speed category within that size rather than jumping across sizes for brand preference alone.
What is the difference between BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 and classic-style radial options for 1998 Honda Trucks?
On 1998 Honda Trucks fitments where both types appear, the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is the more truck-oriented choice, using raised-letter sidewalls and carrying an S speed rating at 112 mph in the Passport sizes shown here. Classic-style radial options in comparable Passport sizes focus more on appearance, with narrow or wide whitewall treatments from brands such as Coker Classic, American Classic, and Maxxis. The CR-V's 205/70R15 range also leans more toward passenger-car radial offerings, including blackwall and whitewall designs rather than all-terrain styling.
The practical difference comes down to the visual and driving role you want the tire to play. A KO2-style tire fits a Passport that is meant to keep a traditional SUV stance and tread character, while a whitewall radial changes the vehicle's presentation much more dramatically. For a CR-V, the decision is usually less about off-road image and more about whether you want a standard blackwall look or a more unusual custom or nostalgic sidewall treatment.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1998 Honda Trucks tires require?
Rim width requirements for 1998 Honda Trucks tires vary by size. The 205/70R15 used on the CR-V fits rims from about 5.0 to 7.5 inches depending on the exact tire. The Passport's 245/70R16 fits 6.5 to 7.0 inches, the 215/75R15 generally fits about 5.5 to 7.5 inches, and the 235/75R15 generally fits about 6.0 to 8.5 inches.
Those ranges are wide enough to cover several wheel designs, but they are not interchangeable without checking. A tire can share the same diameter and still ask for a different wheel width window, especially as you move from a 215-section to a 235- or 245-section tire. Before choosing between two Passport sizes or moving to a different style of tire, confirm the actual wheel width stamped on the wheel or measured accurately at the bead seat.
Do 1998 Honda Trucks tires require inner tubes?
The 1998 Honda Trucks fitments shown here are modern radial sizes, and one 205/70R15 Michelin product is explicitly marked TL for tubeless use. The remaining products do not show tube-type markings, and none carry a TT designation. That points these sizes toward tubeless service on the proper wheel, which is exactly what most late-1990s Honda applications were designed around.
Even so, tube choice should follow the exact tire and wheel combination rather than habit. If a wheel has corrosion at the bead area, damage, or a condition issue that affects air retention, that needs to be corrected before a tubeless tire is installed. For a 1998 Honda Trucks owner, the better pre-installation check is wheel condition, valve stem condition, and bead-seat integrity, not assuming every tire in the size family should be handled the same way without inspection.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1998 Honda Trucks when the tires are fitted?
A 1998 Honda Trucks vehicle should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone sources that accelerate sidewall aging. Keep the tires properly inflated, avoid long exposure to standing moisture, and move the vehicle periodically so one part of the tread is not carrying the load for months at a time. These are all radial tires, so long-term flat-spotting is usually less severe than with older bias-ply construction, but static storage still ages the casing.
If the vehicle will sit for an extended season, clean the tires with mild soap and water only and consider tire cradles or stands if the suspension and storage arrangement make that practical. A Passport used for occasional trail or winter duty deserves the same care as a low-mileage CR-V kept as a clean original. Good storage habits preserve ride quality, help sidewalls stay presentable, and make the next inspection before driving much more reassuring.
How long do tires on a 1998 Honda Trucks typically last?
On a 1998 Honda Trucks vehicle, tire age is usually a more important limit than tread wear, especially on collector, spare, or low-mileage vehicles. A sensible rule is to begin close inspection and professional evaluation once a tire reaches the five-to-seven-year range, and to give serious replacement consideration as it approaches ten years from its date code even if it still has tread. Heat cycles, storage conditions, and inflation habits matter as much as miles driven.
That is particularly relevant for original-looking SUVs and crossovers that may spend long periods parked and then see occasional highway use. A tire can look acceptable from a few feet away and still be aging internally. Check the DOT date code on each tire, compare ages across the set and spare, and treat mismatched aging as a reason to inspect more carefully before trusting the vehicle for regular use or longer travel.
How often should tires on a 1998 Honda Trucks be inspected?
Tires on a 1998 Honda Trucks vehicle should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer trip. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, embedded debris, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure. Because these are tubeless radial applications, valve stem condition and the bead area's seal at the wheel are just as important as tread depth.
A quick walk-around is enough for routine use, but a longer outing deserves a more careful check with an accurate pressure gauge and a close look at all four tires plus the spare. A Passport that sees rougher roads may reveal sidewall scuffs or tread damage sooner, while a lightly used CR-V may show age-related cracking first. Frequent inspection catches the problem while it is still a maintenance issue instead of a roadside problem.
Restoration & Authenticity
What tires were originally fitted to the 1998 Honda Trucks CR-V?
A 1998 Honda Trucks CR-V would have been fitted with modern radial tires, and the size used here is 205/70R15. That aligns with the late-1990s crossover market, where metric radials were standard equipment and whitewall styling was no longer the default factory look. Blackwall presentation is the closest visual match to what most buyers would associate with an original-era CR-V, while the same size is also available in whitewall variations for a more personalized result.
For a restoration-minded owner, the key point is that correct size and radial construction matter more than chasing an exact sidewall treatment unless you are recreating a very specific market or dealer-installed look. If originality standards are especially important, compare your current tires with period brochures, window stickers, or marque-club guidance for your exact trim and market. That extra step matters more on appearance details than on the underlying radial format itself.
Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 1998 Honda Trucks vehicle?
Correct tire fitment does matter when a 1998 Honda Trucks vehicle is judged closely, even though these are newer collector vehicles than the traditional concours field. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts will notice if the size is wrong for the model, if a CR-V wears a Passport diameter, or if a truck-style raised-letter tire appears where a stock-style blackwall would be more era-appropriate. On a late-1990s Honda, radial construction is expected, so the discussion is usually about the right metric size and a believable sidewall presentation.
That means a clean, properly sized tire often does more for authenticity than an overly stylized sidewall. Whitewalls can be a deliberate custom touch, but they shift the vehicle away from a factory-correct late-1990s appearance. If you plan to show a 1998 Honda Trucks model seriously, use event rules and Honda enthusiast groups to confirm how much originality matters for your class, because standards vary widely between preservation, stock, and modified judging.
What tires were originally fitted to the 1998 Honda Trucks Passport?
A 1998 Honda Trucks Passport used radial tires, but the exact size could vary within the model range, appearing here as 215/75R15, 235/75R15, or 245/70R16. That broader spread reflects the Passport's more traditional SUV role and the possibility of different wheel and trim configurations. Raised-letter truck tires feel especially at home visually on the Passport, while whitewall versions in the 15-inch sizes move the look toward a custom or personalized direction rather than a typical factory late-1990s appearance.
The right restoration approach starts with the size on the vehicle's original placard, wheel, or surviving period paperwork. Once the correct size is confirmed, staying with radial construction and an era-appropriate sidewall treatment will keep the Passport looking coherent. If your goal is strict authenticity rather than a tasteful custom look, a marque specialist or period sales material is the best way to verify how a specific Passport configuration was delivered.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1998 Honda Trucks tires safe for highway driving?
Yes, 1998 Honda Trucks tires can be appropriate for highway driving when the tires are in good condition, correctly sized, and used within their ratings. Speed-rated examples shown here include S-rated Passport tires with a 112 mph ceiling, a V-rated 205/70R15 at 149 mph, and a W-rated 205/70R15 at 168+ mph. Those figures are well beyond ordinary U.S. highway speeds, so tire condition, inflation, alignment, and the vehicle's overall mechanical health usually matter more than the speed letter alone in normal use.
A first-generation CR-V or Passport is still a late-1990s vehicle, so suspension wear, brake condition, steering play, and aging rubber components can influence real-world safety just as much as the tire itself. Use the speed rating as a ceiling, not a target, and remember that mixed-use SUV tires and road-oriented passenger radials can feel different even when both are fully suitable for highway service. Good condition and correct fitment are the real priorities.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1998 Honda Trucks tires?
Inflation pressure for 1998 Honda Trucks tires should start with the vehicle's factory recommendation, then be checked against the tire maker's own load-and-pressure limit for the exact product. Several products here include maximum load and pressure figures rather than vehicle-use pressures: 205/70R15 examples reach 1499 pounds at 35 psi, 245/70R16 reaches 2,535 pounds at 65 psi, 215/75R15 examples range from 1,742 pounds at 35 psi to 1,874 pounds at 32 psi and 1,765 pounds at 50 psi, and 235/75R15 examples range from 1,985 pounds at 50 psi to 2,271 pounds at 32 psi.
Those numbers should not be treated as the pressure you automatically run on the vehicle. Maximum sidewall pressure supports the tire's rated load, but the correct operating pressure depends on the Honda model, axle load, and intended use. Use the door placard or owner's manual as the baseline, then make sure the selected tire is being used within its own published limits. Do not transfer a pressure figure from one size to another just because both fit a Passport.
What should I check before taking a 1998 Honda Trucks on a longer drive?
Before taking a 1998 Honda Trucks vehicle on a longer drive, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and proper cold inflation pressure. Check the valve stems, make sure the spare is usable and inflated, and confirm that the tire size on the vehicle matches the wheels actually installed. On a Passport, that wheel-and-size confirmation matters especially because both 15-inch and 16-inch fitments exist in the same model family.
Tires are only one part of the preparation on a vehicle of this age. A worthwhile pre-trip routine also includes checking brakes, fluid levels, steering response, suspension condition, and wheel-bearing or drivetrain noises before the trip becomes a test drive. When the tires are the correct size, hold pressure properly, and show no age or damage concerns, they stop being a question mark and let you focus on the rest of the vehicle.