Ford Escort Tyres

Ford Escort 1967–1997

Mark 1 Ford Escort Tyres 1967–1975

• From 1968 to 1973, Mk1 Ford Escort 1100 and 1300 base models fitted either 550 - 12 crossply tyres or 155 R12 radial tyres.
• If you want a crossply tyre we have the 5.50 x 12 Camac, but we suggest fitting the radial 155 R 12 Nankang.
• The Escort 1300 L, GL, and GT also fitted 155 R12 tyres for which we suggest the 155 R 12 Nankang.
• The Mk1 Escort 1100 and 1300 Estate fitted 600-12 crossply or 155 R12 radial tyres. We hope to have a high-quality period 155 R12 tyre made in the future, today the best 12" Escort tyre is the 155 R 12 Nankang.
• In the spring of 1968, with an aim to improve road safety, Ford started to offer PIRELLI CINTURATO ™ radial tyres.
• The first 1968 Escort GT fitted Pirelli radials as original equipment, as shown in the article below, sadly Pirelli does not currently make classic tyres in the 155 R12 size.

1970 Mk1 Ford Escort Mexico

Special Edition Ford Escort Mk1 Tyres

• Some Mk1 Escort Mexico, Twin Cam, and RS2000 fitted 165 R13 radial tyres. The best 165 R13 tyre is the 165R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36.
• However, the majority of the Mexico, twin Cam, and RS2000 NK1 Ford Escorts fitted the 175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36.
• The Mark 1 Ford Escort Sport, 1300E, and RS1600 fitted either 165 R13 or 175/70 R13 tyres. The ideal 165 R13 Ford Escort tyre is the 165R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 and the best 175/70 R13 tyre is the 175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36.

1978 Mk2 Ford Escort Sport

Mark 2 Ford Escort Tyres 1974–1980

• Mark 2 Ford Escort 1100 base models fitted either 155 R12 or 155 R13 tyres, depending on the wheels fitted.
• If you have 12" wheels we have the 155 R 12 Nankang. 13" wheels are a much better option for the MK2 Escort as you can fit the 155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67, an OE tyre that is still by far the best option.
• Mark 2 1300 base models fitted 155 R13 tyres, in this size we recommend the 155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
• Mark 2 Escort 1100 Estates fitted 600 - 12, 155 R12, or 155 R13 tyres. If your car has 12" wheels we suggest the 155 R 12 Nankang, if it has 13" wheels we recommend the 155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
• Mk2 Escort 1300 Estates fitted 155 R13 tyres, we recommend the 155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
• The Escort Popular 1100 and 1300 fitted either 12" wheels and 155 R12 tyres (155 R 12 Nankang), or 13" wheels with 155 R13 tyres (155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67).
• The Ford Escort Popular Plus 1.1L and 1.3L fitted 155 R13 tyres or 175/70 R13 tyres. We recommend the 155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 and 175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 respectively.
• The MK2 Ford Escort L, available with 1.1L and 1,3L engines, fitted either 12" wheels and 155 R12 tyres or 13" wheels with 155 R13 tyres. We recommend the 155 R 12 Nankang and 155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 in their respective sizes.
• MK2 Escort 1300 GL, 1600, 1600 GL, and 1.3 and 1.6 Ghia models fitted 155 R13 or 175/70 R13 tyres. We recommend the 155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 and 175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36.

1979 Mk2 Ford Escort RS2000 on 175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 Tyres

Special Edition Ford Escort Mk2 Tyres

• The MK2 Escort Sport fitted 165 R13 tyres, for which we recommend the 165R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36.
• The MK2 Escort 1600 Sport, Escort RS1800 and RS2000 fitted the 175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 as original equipment, the current production is still by far the best MK2 RS Escort tyres.

1985 Mk3 Ford Escort GL

Mark 3 Ford Escort Tyres 1980–1986

Escort L Tyres

• 1.1L Mk3 Escort L models fitted either 145 R13 or 155 R13 tyres. In these sizes, we recommend the 145R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 and the 155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 respectively.
• Escort 1.3L and 1.6L L models fitted either 155 R13 or 175/70 R13 tyres. We recommend the 155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 and the 175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 as the best tyres in their size.

Escort GL Tyres

• 1.1L Mk3 Escort GL models fitted either 145 R13 or 155 R13 tyres. In this size, we recommend the 145R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 and the 155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 respectively.
• MK3 1.3L, 1.6L, and 1.6GL models fitted either 155 R13 or 175/70 R13 tyres. We recommend the 155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 and the 175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 as the best tyres in their respective sizes.

Escort Cabriolet Tyres

• 1.6L Mk3 Escort Cabriolet models fitted 185/60 R14 tyres. We recommend the 185/60 VR 14 Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 as the best 185/60 R14 Escort Cabriolet tyre.

1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo

Special Edition Ford Escort Mk3 Tyres

• The Mk3 Escort XR3/XR3i fitted 185/60 R14 tyres. In this size we recommend the 185/60 VR 14 Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2.
• The Mk3 Escort RS Turbo and RS1600i fitted 195/50 R15 tyres as standard. The best Escort tyre in this size is the 195/50 VR 15 Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2.
• The MK3 Escort Ghia fitted either 155 R13 or 175/70 R13 tyres. We recommend the 155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 and the 175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 as the best tyres in their sizes.

1987 Mk4 Ford Escort Ghia

Mark 4 Ford Escort Tyres 1986–1992

Mark IV Escort Base Tyres

• 1.1L Mk4 Escort base models including Popular, and Popular Plus fitted either 145 R13 or 155 R13 tyres. In this size, we recommend the 145R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 and the 155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 tyres respectively.
• 1.3L, 1.4L, and 1.6L Mk4 Escort base models including L, GL, and Ghia fitted either 155 R13 or 175/70 R13 tyres. We recommend the 155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 and the 175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 as the best tyres.


1987 Ford Escort Finesse

Mark IV Escort L Tyres

• 1.1L Mk4 Escort L models fitted either 145 R13 or 155 R13 tyres. In this size, we recommend the 145R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 and the 155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 tyres respectively.
• 1.3L, 1.4L, and 1.6L Mk4 Escort L models fitted either 155 R13 or 175/70 R13 tyres. We recommend the 155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 as the best 155 R13 tyre and the 175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 as the best 175/70 R13 tyre.

Mark IV Escort GL Tyres

• 1.3L, 1.4L, and 1.6L Mk4 Escort GL models fitted either 155 R13 or 175/70 R13 tyres. We recommend the 155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 as the best 155 R13 tyre and the 175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 as the best 175/70 R13 tyre.

Mark IV Escort Ghia Tyres

• 1.3L, 1.4L, and 1.6L Mk4 Escort Ghia models fitted either 155 R13 or 175/70 R13 tyres. We recommend the 155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 and the 175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36.

Mark IV Escort Estate Tyres

• 1.3L, 1.4L, 1.6L, and Diesel Mk4 Escort Estate models fitted either 155 R13 or 175/70 R13 tyres. We recommend the 155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 as the best 155 R13 tyre and the 175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 as the best 175/70 R13 tyre.

Mark IV Escort Cabriolet Tyres

• 1.6L Mk4 Escort Cabriolet models fitted with 185/60 R14 tyres. We recommend the 185/60 VR 14 Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 as the best tyre for this model.


1991 Mk4 Ford Escort RS 2000

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Special Edition Mark IV Escort Tyres

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• Mk4 Escort XR3i fitted with 185/60 R14 tyres. We recommend the 185/60 VR 14 Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 as the best tyre for this model.
• Mk4 Escort RS Turbo and RS1600i fitted with 195/50 R15 tyres. We recommend the 195/50 VR 15 Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 as the best tyre for these models.

1993 Mk5 Ford Escort RS Cosworth

Mark 5 Escort Tyres 1990–1997

MK5 Escort 1.3L Tyres

• Mk5 Escort 1.3 Estates, Popular Estate (1987-1991), Saloon (1989-1991), and base models from 1990-1994 fitted 155 R13 tyres. (155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67)
• The 1.3 LX, Ghia (1990-91) and the 1.3i Encore (from 03/1995) fitted 175/70 R13 tyres. (175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36).

MK5 Escort 1.4L Tyres

• The 1.4 CFi cat (1991-1994) and the 1.4 Estate (1987-1991) fitted 155 R13 tyres. (155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67)
• The 1.4 Ghia, LX, and 1.4i Ghia (1989 to 1991), as well as all 1.4 base and 1.4i variants (1990-mid 1991), fitted 175/70 R13 tyres. (175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36)
• The 1.4 and 1.4i Escort Estates (1990 to 1991), the 1.4 CFi L and L Estate (mid-1991 to 1994), and the 1.4i Encore, L, LX, and 1.4i Estate (March 1995 onwards) fitted 175/70 R13 tyres. (175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36)
• The MK5 Escort 1.4 CFi LX (1993 to 1994) and the 1.4 CFi, LX, LX Estate, 1.4i Ghia, and Ghia E (1991 to 1992) fitted 185/60 R14 tyres. (185/60 VR 14 Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2)

Michael Schumacher with a 1993 Ford Escort Mk5 RS Cosworth

MK5 Escort 1.6L Tyres

• The 1.6L GL, Ghia Automatic (1987-1991), 1.6L GL, Ghia Manual (1987-1991), and 1.6 Petrol Estate (1987-91) fitted 155 R13 tyres. (155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67)
• The 1.6 base and all variants (mid 1991-1992), 1.6 Estate (1990-91), 1.6i Estate (1990-1991), and 1.6i Estate (03/1995) fitted 175/70 R 13 tyres. (175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36)
• The 1.6i Ghia (10/1992), 1.6i Cabriolet (1990-1991), 1.6LX, LX Estate (mid 1991-1992), 1.6i 16v L, LX (02/1996), and 1.6i 16v Si, Ghia (from 03/95) use tyres sized 185/60 R 14. (185/60 VR 14 Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2)
• The 1.6 RS Turbo (1991) fitted 195/50 R15 tyres. (195/50 VR 15 Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2)

MK5 Escort 1.8L Tyres

• The 1.8 Diesel saloon (1989-1991), 1.8D (1990-1992), and 1.8D Popular Estate (from 03/1995) fitted 155 R13 tyres. (155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67)
• The 1.8D, L, LX, GL (mid 1990-1992), 1.8D, TD, Saloon & Estates (1993-1994), 1.8i 16v LX (03/1995), 1.8i 16v Estate (03/1995), 1.8TD Estate (02/1996), 1.8i Estate (03/1995), 1.8D Estate, 1.8TD Estate (03/1995), and 1.8D L & LX Estates (1991-1992) fitted 175/70 R13 tyres. (175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36)
• The MK5 1.8 16v cat LX, LX Estate, Ghia (mid 1991-1992), 1.8 XR3i 16v cat, XR3i Cabrio (mid 1991-1992), 1.8D LX, TD LX, Saloon & Estates (1993-1994), 1.8 XR3i 16v (09/1993), 1.8i 16v Si, Ghia, Cabrio (03/1995), 1.8i 16v Ghia (02/1996), 1.8i 16v Cabrio, 1.8TD Encore, L, LX, Ghia (03/1995), 1.8D LX & LX Estates (mid 1991-1992), and 1.8 Diesel Estate (1989-1991) fitted 185/60 R14 tyres. (185/60 VR 14 Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2)

1994 Mk5 Ford Escort Ghia

Special Edition MK5 Escort Tyres

• The MK5 Escort RS Turbo (1989-1991), 2.0 RS 2000 16v (1991-1992), RS 2000 4x4 (from 03/1992), 2.0 16v RS 2000 (from 02/1996), and 2.0 16v RS 2000 4x4 (from 02/1996) use tyres sized 195/50 R15. (195/50 VR 15 Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2)
• The Escort XR3i (1989-1991) uses tyres sized 185/60 R14. (185/60 VR 14 Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2)
• The Mk5 2.0 RS Cosworth (1992) and 2.0 16v RS Cosworth (from 03/1995) fitted 225/45 R16 tyres. In this size we recommend the 225/45 R 16 Pirelli P700-Z.

Ford Escort Innertubes

• Our period fitment guides suggest that almost all models of the Ford Escort fitted tubeless wheels that are capable of running without an innertube.
• Some Mk1 1100 and 1300 models fitted narrow wheels that require an innertube.
• Tyres with a profile below 70% (e.g., 185/60 VR 14 Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2) must not fit innertubes.
• The correct tube for 550 - 12 and 155 R12 tyres is the Michelin 12D.
• The correct innertube for 145 R13 tyres is the Michelin 13CG.
• The correct tube for 155 R13 and 165 R13 tyres is the Michelin 13D.
• The ideal tube for 175/70 R13 tyres is the Michelin 13E.