2013 Nissan Altima Tire Size: Full Trim & Wheel Spec Guide
The factory tire size on a 2013 Nissan Altima depends on the trim. Base 2.5 and 2.5 S models run 215/60R16, the 2.5 SV, 2.5 SL, and 3.5 S step up to 215/55R17, and the top 3.5 SV and 3.5 SL wear 235/45R18. Every Altima of this fifth-generation (L33) car shares a 5x114.3 bolt pattern and a 66.1 mm center bore.
Knowing the exact size matters because the 2013 Altima was sold with three different wheel diameters, and putting the wrong tire on a factory rim throws off your speedometer, your traction control, and your ride quality. Below is the full breakdown by trim, plus the rim specs you need if you are replacing a bent or corroded wheel.
2013 Nissan Altima Tire Size by Trim
| Trim | Tire Size | Wheel Size | Offset (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 / 2.5 S | 215/60R16 | 16 x 7.0J | +50 mm |
| 2.5 SV / 2.5 SL / 3.5 S | 215/55R17 | 17 x 7.5J | +50 mm |
| 3.5 SV / 3.5 SL | 235/45R18 | 18 x 7.5J | +55 mm |
All three setups carry a load and speed rating appropriate for a midsize sedan, and all bolt up to the same 5x114.3 hub. That shared bolt pattern is why a 17-inch wheel from a 2.5 SV physically fits a 2.5 S, even though the factory paired that base trim with 16s.
What the Tire Size Numbers Mean
Take the most common Altima size, 215/55R17, and read it left to right:
- 215 — section width in millimeters, measured sidewall to sidewall.
- 55 — aspect ratio: the sidewall height is 55% of the width (about 118 mm).
- R — radial construction, standard on every modern passenger tire.
- 17 — the wheel diameter in inches the tire is built to fit.
The aspect ratio is the part drivers overlook. The 18-inch 3.5 trims use a shorter 45-series sidewall, which sharpens steering response but transmits more road harshness. The 16-inch base car uses a taller 60-series sidewall that soaks up potholes better. None of these are interchangeable across diameters because the overall rolling diameter has to stay close to factory spec.
2013 Altima Wheel Specs You Need for Replacement
If a tire shop tells you a rim is bent beyond repair, or rust is causing a slow leak at the bead, you will need a wheel that matches the original fitment. Here are the figures that define a correct fit:
- Bolt pattern: 5 x 114.3 mm (also written 5x4.5")
- Center bore: 66.1 mm (hub-centric)
- Lug nut thread: 12 x 1.25, conical seat
- Offset: +50 mm on 16s and 17s, +55 mm on 18s
The center bore is the spec most aftermarket buyers get wrong. The Altima hub is 66.1 mm. A wheel with a larger bore will sit on the lugs alone instead of resting on the hub, which can produce a vibration that no balancing will cure. A genuine OEM rim is machined to that exact 66.1 mm bore, so it seats true every time.
Should You Match One Wheel or Replace the Set?
For a single curbed or cracked wheel, a single matching OEM replacement keeps your factory look and your tire size consistent across the axle. The Altima L33 used a handful of distinct factory finishes — painted silver, machined-face, and a darker premium finish on the 3.5 SL — so matching the finish to the other three corners matters as much as matching the size.
If two or more wheels are damaged, or the existing finish is heavily peeled, a full set of OEM Altima rims is usually the cleaner result. A consistent set also keeps the offset identical at all four corners, which protects your alignment and tire wear.
You can browse factory-correct fitments on our Nissan OEM rims collection, or jump straight to the full rim catalog if you want to compare diameters side by side.
Can You Change Tire Sizes on a 2013 Altima?
Staying within the factory diameter for your trim is the safest path. If you want to move from 16s to 17s, the wheel bolts on, but you must change to the matching 215/55R17 tire so the rolling diameter stays correct. Upsizing the diameter without adjusting the aspect ratio makes the speedometer read slow and can rub the strut or fender at full lock.
A reliable rule for this car: pick the tire size that the factory paired with your chosen wheel diameter. The combinations in the table above were engineered to hold the same overall height, roughly 25.1 inches, so traction control and ABS behave as designed.
16 vs 17 vs 18 Inch: Which Altima Setup Is Best?
Because the 2013 Altima was sold in three diameters, owners often ask which is the better daily driver. Each has a real trade-off:
- 16-inch (215/60R16): The most comfortable ride and the cheapest tires to replace. The taller sidewall protects the rim from pothole damage, which is why base-trim 16s tend to survive rough roads better. The downside is slightly softer steering feel.
- 17-inch (215/55R17): The middle ground and the most common Altima fitment. Tire prices stay reasonable, the ride is still composed, and steering response is sharper than the 16. For most owners replacing a wheel, this is the practical sweet spot.
- 18-inch (235/45R18): The sportiest look and the widest contact patch, paired with the V6 trims. The shorter 45-series sidewall feels firmer and is more vulnerable to curb and pothole damage, and 18-inch tires cost the most to replace.
If you are buying a used Altima or planning a wheel swap, factor in the long-term tire cost, not just the upfront look. Over the life of the car the 16- and 17-inch sizes will be meaningfully cheaper to keep in fresh rubber.
Common 2013 Altima Wheel Problems
The L33 Altima is a high-volume car, so its wheel issues are well documented. Two show up most often:
Bead-seat corrosion. On the painted and machined factory finishes, salt and moisture can pit the area where the tire bead seals against the rim. The result is a slow leak that returns no matter how many times the tire is reseated. Once the seating surface is corroded, the lasting fix is a sound replacement wheel rather than repeated reseals.
Curb and pothole damage. The 18-inch 3.5 trims, with their lower-profile tires, are most prone to bent lips and cracks. A bent rim shows up as a vibration that gets worse with speed, and a cracked rim shows up as a leak that no amount of balancing resolves. A wheel that is cracked through the barrel should be replaced for safety, not repaired.
In both cases, an OEM-spec replacement restores the exact offset, bore, and weight the car left the factory with, so balancing and alignment stay predictable.
Replacement Tires by Factory Size
When it is time for new rubber, the simplest approach is to replace with the same size the factory specified for your trim. Match the existing size on the sidewall — 215/60R16, 215/55R17, or 235/45R18 — and you keep the speedometer accurate and the TPMS happy. If only one tire is damaged, try to match the brand and model of the remaining tires on the same axle, since mismatched tread depth across an axle can affect handling. When the tread is worn across the set, replacing all four at the factory size is the cleanest result.
Tire Pressure for the 2013 Altima
Factory recommended cold tire pressure for the 2013 Altima is 32 psi front and rear on the 16- and 17-inch fitments. Always confirm against the placard on the driver's door jamb, since it lists the exact figure for your specific build. The Altima also uses direct TPMS, so a sensor lives in each wheel and will flag a low tire on the dash.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the stock tire size for a 2013 Nissan Altima?
It varies by trim: 215/60R16 on the 2.5 and 2.5 S, 215/55R17 on the 2.5 SV, 2.5 SL, and 3.5 S, and 235/45R18 on the 3.5 SV and 3.5 SL.
What is the bolt pattern on a 2013 Nissan Altima?
All 2013 Altima trims use a 5x114.3 mm bolt pattern with a 66.1 mm center bore and 12x1.25 lug nuts.
Will 17-inch wheels fit a 2013 Altima 2.5 S?
Yes. The 2.5 S shipped on 16-inch wheels, but the 17x7.5 fitment from the SV and SL shares the same 5x114.3 bolt pattern and hub. Pair the 17-inch wheel with a 215/55R17 tire to keep the rolling diameter correct.
What tire pressure should a 2013 Altima run?
The factory recommendation is 32 psi cold, front and rear, on the 16- and 17-inch sizes. Check the door-jamb placard for your exact trim.
Are 2013 Altima wheels hub-centric?
Yes. The factory wheels are hub-centric with a 66.1 mm bore that rests directly on the Altima hub. A replacement rim machined to the same 66.1 mm bore seats true without hub-centric rings.
Get the Right Fit the First Time
Whether you are replacing one curbed rim or refreshing a full set, matching the 2013 Altima's tire size and 5x114.3 / 66.1 mm wheel specs is what keeps the car driving the way Nissan built it. Start with your trim's tire size from the table above, confirm your wheel diameter, and choose an OEM rim machined to the exact factory bore for a bolt-on fit.
