Best Tires For Buick Skylark

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8 Best Tires For Buick Skylark

I know the Buick Skylark line was in production for a good decade before the first generation roll-out, but I chose to begin my journey in 1964. To be fair, the Buick Roadmaster Skylark in 1953 was a wildly different design from what the line would evolve to become, as seen during its rebirth in 1961 with the Buick Special Skylark.

So, don't fault me too much for only considering rubber-mitts for the first to second and sixth-generation, which are "purer" models with no modification to the Buick Skylark name.

The Buick Skylark has stuck chiefly to four different tire sizes throughout its many renditions. These original tire sizes are 185/70R14, 195/65SR, 205/55HR16, and 215/50VR17. Some of the earlier generations, like the latter half of the first generation running the 185/70R14 tire size as stock, had enough clearance for wider tires of a width of up to 255 mm.

I only included tires with the most customer feedback across the online retailers I trust. Any tire on the list has average ratings of around 4 out of 5 stars in performance categories like wet and dry traction, noise, tread life, handling, steering, and ride comfort.

Even though some of these appear far from the stock tire that your Buick Skylark came with, with our modern technology, you can affordably and quickly have the sidewalls to match whichever design is most respectful.

1. General Altimax RT43

Tire size: 185/70 R 14 weighing 16 lbs

Tread depth: 11/32 inches

Rim width: 4.5 to 6.0 inches

Tire type: All-season, touring

Warranty: Limited up to 75,000 miles

Features: Black Side Wall (BSW), Replacement Tire Monitor, Visual Alignment Indicators, Available in Outlined White Letter

Load/ Speed rating: 88 and T taking 1,235 lbs max load at max 44 psi

Revs per mile: 859

Load range: SL

Available fitting sizes: 195/65 R15, 205/55 R16, 215/50 R17

General Altimax RT43 is an all-season touring tire engineered and manufactured to introduce noteworthy comfort to your stylish Buick Skylark. The tires are designed to be as unobtrusive and quiet as possible for passenger cars throughout the year.

The all-season traction performance isn't worried by light snow, and the Altimax RT43 has embedded technology that aids in even tire wear.

General Tire's Replacement Tire Monitor (RTM) is a neat tread indicator that alerts you to replace the tire at 2/32nds treadwear. This feature can even be considered a safety feature that many tire brands would do well to incorporate.

In addition to the RTM, there's also the Visual Alignment Indicator (VAI), which is an identifiable marker whenever the car is running misaligned. Again, this VAI feature serves the dual purpose of safety and extending the tire's life by not being run under car misalignment.

The final notable feature of the Altimax RT43 is the StabiliTread technology that helps the tires have maximum ground contact while giving the internal structure stiffness and robustness for the best performance outcome.

The sophisticated compound that helps these tires rise above the rest is a high-density Twin Cushion Silica Tread compound that sits on the top of the tire and provides year-end traction and extended tread wear. Tucked underneath is a soft-density base responsible for the advertised comfort and road vibration muting.

It is molded into a symmetric tread pattern to wrap up the compound and get it ready to ship. This tread design features a circumferential center rib and independent, sound-suppressing tread blocks.

Continuous grooves are going around the face of the tire team-up with siping designed to increase traction by upping the number of edges to bite unruly roads with. Suffice to say that the external machining of the tires lacks little to nothing.

The internal workings are just as beefed up. There's a technology that reduces rolling tire tread distortion, which results in more even tread wear. There are also polyamide-reinforced twin steel belts that help with handling and a polyester cord body that helps ascend the quality of the ride.

Discount Tire

Discount has an instant price match feature next to the tire's price.

185/70 R14 88T SL BSW - $106.00 per tire

195/65 R15 91T SL BSW - $118.00 per tire

205/55 R16 91H SL BSW - $129.00 per tire

215/50 R17 95V XL BSW - $156.00 per tire

Tire Rack

This online retailer has free shipping on their products.

185/70 R14 88T SL BSW - $105.99 per tire

195/65 R15 91T SL BSW - $117.99 per tire

205/55 R16 91H SL BSW - $ 128.99 per tire

Tire Buyer

Tire Buyer offers free delivery and free returns when you ship orders to local tire installers.

185/70 R14 88T SL BSW - $105.99 per tire

195/65 R15 91T SL BSW - $117.99 per tire

205/55 R16 91H SL BSW - $128.99 per tire

215/50 R17 95V XL BSW - $155.99 per tire

Simple Tire

Simple Tire has a price matching feature under the tire price and offers free tire replacement coverage when you buy two or more tires. They also offer free shipments to local service centers and a 30-day return guarantee on tires that weren't mounted.

185/70 R14 88T SL BSW - $105.99 per tire

195/65 R15 91T SL BSW - $117.99 per tire

205/55 R16 91H SL BSW - $128.99 per tire

215/50 R17 95V XL BSW - $155.99 per tire

2. Kumho Solus TA11

Tire size: 185/70 R14 weighing 17 lbs

Tread depth: 10.8/32 inches

Rim width: 4.5 to 6 inches

Tire type: All-season, standard touring

Warranty: Up to 75,000 miles

Features: Blackwall

Load/ Speed rating: 88 - 1,235 lbs and T - 118 mphs taking max load per tire at 44 psi

Revs per mile: 823

Load range: SL

Available fitting sizes: 195/65 R15, 205/55 R16, 215/50 R17

I know that the Solus TA11 from Kumho is oceans away from the Original Equipment (OE) tires that your Michigan-conceived Skylark came with. But, depending on your model year, these aren't too far from the all-season standard touring tires you should be investing in.

Times have changed, and you probably don't want your Skylark to be sitting there hoping to be used. These tires offer enduring comfort at a reasonable price.

Solus TA11 is made to maintain optimal traction on varying roads in varyingly challenging weather over the long haul. They may not be beefy enough to tackle torrential snowfall, but they do okay over lightly powdered roads.

Kumho has also tried to limit the vibrations and noise that can travel from the wheels to the cockpit by using their all-season carbon compound in the tires and jointless bead bundles in the internal structure construction. The slightly asymmetric tread design has this carbon compound engineered into the design to help with sustained traction year-round.

Four main grooves span the circumference of the tire with notched shoulders to help remove water from underneath the tires, which helps to reduce the chances of hydroplaning and increase grip in the wet. The tread pattern is then brought home with zigzagging siping, which further helps traction performance.

Kumho also uses their Excellent and Smart Contour Optimization Theory (ESCOT), which helps maximize the tire's overall performance by increasing braking and handling capabilities. ESCOT is why the Solus TA11 tires can keep their shape at different speed ranges.

Simply, the ESCOT design helps keep the cord tension of the sidewall more evenly distributed to help maintain the response you started your ride with and also helps with the tread longevity. More equally distributed pressure over the tire from the road helps performance, safety, and product resiliency.

On top of the external goodness, the Solus TA11's insides have twin steel belts reinforced by being wrapped with twisted nylon belt edge layers that help stability at high speeds.

Tire Rack

This online retailer has free shipping on its products.

185/70 R14 88T SL BSW - $89.00 per tire

195/65 R15 91T SL BSW - $97.00 per tire

205/55 R16 91T SL BSW - $115.00 per tire

Tire Buyer

Tire Buyer offers free delivery and returns when you ship orders to local tire installers.

185/70 R14 88T SL BSW - $89.00 per tire

195/65 R15 91T SL BSW - $97.00 per tire

205/55 R16 91H SL BSW - $115.00 per tire

Simple Tire

185/70 R14 88T SL BSW - $89.00 per tire

195/65 R15 91T SL BSW - $97.00 per tire

205/55 R16 91T SL BSW - $115.00 per tire

3. Falken Sincera SN201 A/S

Tire size: 185/70 R14 weighing 17.6 lbs per tire

Tread depth: 10.6/32 inches

Rim width: 4.5 to 6.0 inches

Tire type: All-season, touring

Warranty: 65,000 miles

Features: Blackwall, Tension control

Load/ Speed rating: 88 (1,235 lbs) T (118 mph) taking max load at 51 psi

Revs per mile: 868

Load range: SL

Available fitting sizes: 195/65 R15

Falken Sincera SN201 A/S are all-season grand touring tires that bring stability and handling that's repeatable and reliable. Falken has taken special care not to bring a tire with outdated features, and they even give a limited warranty, Road Hazard Protection, which provides free tire replacement for two years or the first 3/32nds of tread wear.

Falken uses a high sipe density to ensure that the tires continue performing at their best regardless of the road conditions. The SN201 A/S also uses Falken's Dynamic Range Technology (DRT), their proprietary technology that significantly adds to the safety aspect of the tires.

DRT helps maintain full-contact traction throughout the temperatures the tire goes through when rolling, regardless of the surface being wet or dry. It's not only gripping performance that DRT bolsters. You'll also notice that road noise and vibrations are being actively balanced through the placement of tread blocks.

The tire is also manufactured in a unique way that lets them be flexible where they need to be and stomach road shocks without compromising on handling performance. The consistent and smooth ride quality of the SN201 A/S is due mainly to the symmetrical rib design that has cross-rotation patterns, which reduce the irregular wear of treads.

You'll also find that water is effectively exited from underneath the tears through the efficient channeling using the four grooves that run the tire's circumference. The grooves are also angled in such a way that helps them not easily spin out on light snow.

Falken also compared some performance metrics of the tire to similar tires in their catalog to notable findings. They found that the tire showed a 100% comfort rating and proficiency in handling dry conditions, 90% effectiveness in braking in the wet, noise muting and reliability for extended tread life, a 70% dependability during winter conditions, and a final 80% rating for fuel efficiency.

Tire Buyer

Tire Buyer offers free delivery and returns when you ship orders to local tire installers.

185/70 R14 88T SL BSW - $83.00 per tire

195/65 R15 91H SL BSW - $88.00 per tire

Simple Tire

185/70 R14 88T SL BSW - $83.00 per tire

195/65 R15 91H SL BSW - $88.00 per tire

4. Hankook Kinergy ST H735

Tire size: 185/70 R14 weighing 16 lbs per tire

Tread depth: 8.8/32 inches

Rim width: 4.5 to 6 inches

Tire type: All-season, touring

Warranty: 70,000 miles

Features: Optimized tread and pattern for comfort and long mileage

Load/ Speed rating: 88 (with taking 1,235 lbs max load at 51 max psi

Revs per mile: 861

Available fitting sizes: 195/65 R15, 205/55 R16, 215/50 R17

The Kinergy ST H735 are Standard Touring (ST) tires that are made to not falter too much in performance regardless of which season they are being run in. They are a well-engineered amalgamation of steady performance and tread durability.

The tread durability begins with a healthy dose of resistance to abrasions and irregular wear. The tires are optimized to take you on commutes and longer trips without causing a commotion from road noise and vibrations, and they do their best to curb any drama that the weather often tries to stir up.

You obviously can't nonchalantly challenge the more brutal snowy elements with these, but they can handle a little bit of snow like their competitors on this list. Similar to the Falken Sincera SN201 A/S, the external a

Discount Tire

Discount has an instant price match feature next to the tire's price.

185/70 R14 88T SL BSW - $91.00 per tire

195/65 R15 91T SL BSW - $97.00 per tire

Tire Rack

This online retailer has free shipping on their products.

185/70 R14 88T SL BSW - $90.99 per tire

195/65 R15 91T SL BSW - $103.13 per tire

205/55 R16 91H SL BSW - $112.99 per tire

215/50 R17 91H SL BSW - $142.99 per tire

Tire Buyer

Tire Buyer offers free delivery and returns when you ship orders to local tire installers.

185/70 R14 88T SL BSW - $90.99 per tire

195/65 R15 91T SL BSW - $96.99 per tire

205/55 R16 91H SL BSW - $112.99 per tire

215/50 R17 91H SL BSW - $142.99 per tire

Simple Tire

185/70 R14 88T SL BSW - $90.99 per tire

195/65 R15 91T SL BSW - $96.99 per tire

205/55 R16 91H SL BSW - $112.99 per tire

215/50 R17 95V XL BSW - $142.99 per tire

5. Laufenn I Fit Ice Studdable

Tire size: 185/70 R14

Tread depth: 11.5/32 inches

Rim width: 4.5 to 6.0 inches

Tire type: Winter

Features: 16 row stud technology, 3D kerf, Claw edge, snow slits, snow kerf, aqua slits

Load/ Speed rating: 88 (1,235) T (118 mph) with taking max load at 51 max psi

Available fitting sizes: 195/65 R15, 205/55 R16

Unlike most of the suggestions on this list, the Laufenn I Fit Ice doesn't just dabble in winter driving. These tires are purpose-built to go over the snow like it's asphalt. Laufenn came through for their support base by creating winter tires that aren't just affordable but are comfortable and reliable in frigid winter weather.

The "Studdable" prefixing the I Fit Ice name isn't just for show. These tires are engineered to provide capable traction over ice and snow continually. The value-packed features you get from these tires afford you the braking performance you can count on while subduing that pesky noise that would wish to sabotage your comfortable journey.

I Fit Ice has many performances and safety features that make them capable in icy conditions. There's Laufenn's 3D Kerf, Snow Kerf, Claw Edge, and Snow slits.

Their 3D Kerf is a kerf design that reduces tread block movement and seems to see through the ice slickness and provide maximum ground contact at all times, which improves both traction and steering capabilities.

The Snow Kerf provides gritty siping that's about 19% longer than what you'd see on ordinary tires, which helps to provide the handling and braking power you need in snowy weather. Similarly, the Claw Edge and Snow Slits work to provide maximum traction control over ice.

These winter performance features are further highlighted by the fact that the tires have been shown to have a contact area with the ground that's about 20% larger than the contact patch area you find on standard tires.

On top of all these highlights, the tires have tiny holes embedded into the tread blocks that absorb and evacuate water to ensure the best performance in wet and loose snow scenarios.

An Aqua Slant design polishes the I Fit Ice's performance in wet and slushy conditions through a slanted tread block design, making water evacuation more efficient, safer, and more reliable driving performance.

The DNA of the tires is Laufenn's winter rubber compound engineered to perform better in low-weather conditions and bejeweled by sixteen purposefully arranged studs for repeatable grip.

The tire construction also uses a High Grip Silica compound that's better at wet traction and doesn't work to impede rolling, which improves fuel mileage. There's also a jointless full-cover, two wide steel belts, an equilibrium carcass line, and belt edge tape, all working together to increase stability, handling, and reduce tread wear.

There's also a High-Hardness bead filler which further improves response to steering and handling with bead wire that helps improve the uniformity of the bead. These tires a simply jam-packed with all the necessary winter features at an affordable market price.

Simple Tire

185/70 R14 88T SL BSW - $86.97 per tire

195/65 R15 95T XL BSW - $83.96 per tire

205/55 R16 91H SL BSW - $108.96 per tire

6. Yokohama Avid Touring S

Tire size: 195/65 R15 weighing 19.4 lbs

Tread depth: 10/32 inches

Rim width: 5.5 to 7.0 inches

Tire type: All-season, touring

Load/ Speed rating: 89 (1,279 lbs) S (112 mph) at max psi of 51

Revs per mile: 831

Load range: SL

Available fitting sizes: 205/55 R16

Yokohama Avid Touring S is well-balanced tires for touring throughout the year. Yokohama's proprietary Tri-plex Tread Compound extends the wearing of the tread while providing significant grip performance for every season.

Avid Touring S uses tapered rain channels and cross-traction sipes to evacuate water away from the tires in wet conditions. There are also technologies like diverse tread patterns and Twin Rail Stability Rib, which reduce road noise through the tires while maximizing handling performance.

The internal construction is also in the current era with steel belts, nylon belt edge strips, and body plies made of polyester. Internally and externally, the compound is engineered to be able to provide comfort by absorbing defects on the road.

Discount Tire

Discount has an instant price match feature next to the tire's price.

195/65 R15 91T SL BSW - $102.00 per tire

Tire Rack

This online retailer has free shipping on its products.

195/65 R15 89S SL BSW - $102.16 per tire

205/55 R16 89T SL BSW - $119.06 per tire

Tire Buyer

Tire Buyer offers free delivery and returns when you ship orders to local tire installers.

P195/65 R15 89S SL BSW - $73.50 per tire

P205/55 R16 89T SL BSW - $88.03 per tire

Simple Tire

185/70 R14 87S SL BSW - $95.96 per tire

195/65 R15 89S SL BSW - $86.96 per tire

P205/55 R16 89T SL BSW - $107.96 per tire

7. Ironman iMove Gen2 AS

Tire size: weighing

Tread depth: 10.1/32 inches

Rim width: 4.5 to 6.0 inches

Tire type: All-season

Load/ Speed rating: 88 (1,235 lbs) T (118 mph) with max psi at 44 psi

Available fitting sizes: 195/65 R15, 205/55 R16, 215/50 R17

Ironman iMove Gen2 AS isn't a misnomer. These tires are built to function until their last breath. The compound used on these is engineered to crank out as many miles as possible with its wear-resistance and year-round reliability with its M+S (Mud and Snow) rating.

Ironman claims to utilize a better pressure distribution design in the iMove Gen2. Although I doubt you've transformed your Buick Skylark into a hotrod, the iMove Gen2 is a stepping stone towards high-performance driving with their Ultra-High Performance (UHP) specification.

Hydroplaning is minimized through the efficient use of grooves running the face of the iMove Gen2 that work on exiting the water from underneath your road beacons. Ironman provided a quality product at a competitive price without compromising aesthetics or all-season performance.

The tires also use better tread block and siping patterns to increase traction and reduce noise travel. The company also provides a 60-month Limited Protection policy covering tire repair or replacement if the tires show any factory faults. The tires are also part of the Road Hazard Protection Program, which offers a replacement program on the first 50% of tread life or up to two years after purchase.

Tire Buyer

Tire Buyer offers free delivery and returns when you ship orders to local tire installers.

185/70 R14 88T SL BSW - $62.76 per tire

195/65 R15 91H SL BSW - $68.99 per tire

205/55 R16 91V SL BSW - $70.99 per tire

215/50 R17 95V XL BSW - $90.99 per tire

Simple Tire

185/70 R14 88T SL BSW - $72.96 per tire

195/65 R15 91H SL BSW - $78.97 per tire

205/55 R16 91V SL BSW - $85.96 per tire

215/50 R17 95V XL BSW - $100.99 per tire

8. Uniroyal Tiger Paw AWP II

Tire size: P185/70 R14 weighing 18.78 lbs per tire

Tread depth: 11/32 inches

Rim width: 4.5 to 6.0 inches

Tire type: All-season

Warranty: 65,000 miles

Load/ Speed rating: 87 (1,201 lbs) T (118 mph) with at 44 max psi

Revs per mile: 858

Available fitting sizes: 195/65 R15, 205/55 R16, 215/50 R17

Even though Uniroyal Tiger Paw AWP II tires are a separate part of Michelin's economy ventures, they don't drag down the quality of their parent company. These passenger tires are made to produce the performance you can rely on regardless of the season.

This do-it-all attitude can be seen in the performance of the Tiger Paw AWP II on light levels of snow. Using a symmetric pattern from the tread compound reduces rolling resistance, allows the tread to wear more evenly, and gives the tire a more even footing. Circumferential grooves are joined by lateral notching and in-block sipes for thorough traction in such conditions.

The internal structuring of the tire does show a bit of an economy price tag, but the construction is not too far off from other competing tires at a similar price point. There's a single ply and two reinforced steel belts beneath a solid polyester casing.

The external and internal design comes together to provide durable tires that continue delivering at different speeds that you'll put them through. Like all Uniroyal tires, the Tiger Paw AWP II comes with a limited warranty for factory faults on the tires that's valid for the life of the usable tread or six years from the date of purchase.

Tire Rack

This online retailer has free shipping on its products.

185/70 R14 87T SL BSW - $90.99 per tire

Tire Buyer

Tire Buyer offers free delivery and returns when you ship orders to local tire installers.

P185/70 R14 88T SL BSW - $74.04 per tire

Simple Tire

185/70 R14 87T SL BSW - $103.96 per tire

About The Author

Charles Redding

I've spent many years selling cars, working with auto detailers, mechanics, dealership service teams, quoting and researching car insurance, modding my own cars, and much more.