Determine the Tire Size for Your Car
Nissan engineers perform extensive tests to help determine which tires are best suited for use on every Nissan vehicle. Replacing the tires on your Nissan with those that meet the Original Equipment specifications will help maximize your vehicles handling, comfort, and safety.
As such, the first step in selecting the best tires for your Nissan is to determine the proper size of tires for your specific vehicle. To find this information, you can check your Nissan owners manual or the plaque on the inside of your drivers side door. For instance, the 2021 Nissan Altima Sedan has a tire size of 215/55R17. More details on how tire size is determined and what all those numbers and letters mean below.
Tire Type
Once youve found the size, the next step is to decipher just what it means. The first part of the label — the P in P215/55R17 — means the tire is a P-metric tire and refers to a standard tire type made in the United States intended for passenger vehicles.
Tire Width
Next, the 215 in P215/55R17 informs you of the tire width, which is measured in millimeters from one sidewall to the other. In the case of Nissan Altima tires, this first three-digit number lets you know that the width of the tire is 215 millimeters.
Aspect Ratio
The two-digit number after the slash mark in your tire size — 55 in P215/55V17 — stands for the aspect ratio. When it comes to vehicle tires, the aspect ratio is the ratio of the height of the tires cross-section to its width. In this case, the 55 indicates that the height is equal to 55% of the tires width.
Radial Designation
The letter R in the Altimas tire spec stands for “Radial.” This means the layers run radially across the tire. Almost all modern tires feature a radial design, with the exceptions being tires designed for the race track or other special purposes.
Wheel Diameter
The final number in your tire size, in this case, the 17 in P215/55VR17, refers to the diameter of the wheel when measured from one side to the other. In the case of the Nissan Altima, you will need a tire made for a wheel that measures 17 inches in diameter.
Load Index
When shopping for tires for a Nissan Altima, you might see additional letters and numbers appended to the basic tire specification, for instance, 215/55R17 | 94V. The number 94 indicates the tires load index, or how much weight the car can safely carry based on the appropriate tire size and pressure. The higher the number, the more weight your vehicle can safely carry.
Speed Designation
The final piece of the puzzle when reading your tires size is the last letter in the specification. This letter designates the tires speed rating, letting you know what speed the tire can safely maintain over time. Higher speed ratings usually mean better control and handling at higher speeds. In the United States, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) sets the rating scale (shown below) but it is ultimately up to tire makers to test their own tires and assign their own speed ratings.
- M — Up to 81 mph
- N — Up to 87 mph
- P — Up to 93 mph
- Q — Up to 99 mph
- R — Up to 106 mph
- S — Up to 112 mph
- T — Up to 118 mph
- H — Up to 130 mph
- V — Up to 149 mph
- W — Up to 168 mph
- Y — Up to 186 mph
- Z — For tires rated above 149 mph, a Z rating may appear in the size designation.
In the case of a Nissan Altima tire with the specification 215/55R17 | 94V, the V informs you that the vehicle can safely withstand speeds up to 149 miles per hour. When selecting new tires for your car, make sure you choose tires that meet the minimum speed rating recommended by the manufacturer. While its generally okay to move up to a higher speed-rated tire, dont go any lower.
Determine the Type of Tire You Need
In addition to considering the tire size specifications provided by the manufacturer, you may also want to consider your personal driving style, as well as the climate and corresponding road conditions in which you will be operating the vehicle. This is where the speed rating, discussed above, can again come into play.
All-Season Tires
All season tires are available in sizes to fit everything from small cars, such as the Nissan Sentra, to light duty SUVs, as well as pick-ups. While these tires might lack the handling and grip of performance tires, theyre great for drivers who want good traction year-round and a comfortable ride, no matter the conditions. To determine whether a tire is designated as an All-Season tire, look for the speed ratings “S” (up to 112 mph) or “T” (up to 118 mph). These types of tires are typically available for wheels measuring 14 to 18 inches in diameter.
Performance All-Season Tires
If youre an enthusiastic driver who likes to test the limits of your vehicles handling, this type of tire might be best for you. Performance All-Season tires have a higher speed rating than regular All-Season tires, and tend to have better grip and handling, although they may not last as long. When looking for this type of tire, seek out tires with an “H” (up to 130 mph) or “V” (up to 149 mph) speed rating. Typically, these tires come in sizes that fit wheels measuring from 15 to 20 inches.
Winter/Snow Tires
The clue to when to use winter and snow tires is in the name. These tires provide superior grip for stopping and cornering in cold, inclement weather. Winter/snow tires typically wear faster than other types of tires, as the rubber is designed to stay pliable even at freezing temperatures when biting into snow and ice. These tires can be easily identified by a mountain or snowflake symbol on the tires sidewall, as well as by their speed rating of “R” (up to 106 mph), “S” (up to 112 mph), or “T” (up to 118 mph). They are also available in a wide range of sizes, typically for wheels measuring anywhere from 15 to 22 inches.
Specialty Tires
There are also specialty tires available specifically for trucks and SUVs. For instance, all-season truck tires and all-terrain truck tires are engineered for heavier loads, and feature an “S”, “T”, or “H” speed rating. There are also specific all-season SUV tires designed specifically for modern SUVs such as the Nissan Rogue. These tires provide a comfortable ride, as well as light-duty towing capabilities and can be identified by their speed rating of “H” or “V.”
Zero in On a Tire Brand
Finally, once youve determined your vehicle tire size and the tire type that works best for your driving style and climate conditions, there is still the issue of selecting the best brand for your automobile. Luckily, Nissan carries a wide selection of excellent tire brands to choose from, and you can check them all out at Nissan Tire Advantage!
Now that you know what to look for, you can feel confident that you know how to choose the best tires for your Nissan. Shop Nissan tires near you now! We have the right tires at the right price, right here. Plus, with the Nissan Tire Price Match program, Nissan will match eligible competitor lower priced quotes (even from a wholesale club).*