2013 Nissan Altima Tire Size: Full Trim & Wheel Spec Guide
The 2013 Nissan Altima sedan owner's manual lists P215/60R16, P215/55R17 and P235/45R18 tires. Identify your car's original equipment from its Tire and Loading Information label before ordering. Nissan's U.S. model archive lists 17-inch wheels for the 2.5 SV and 2.5 SL, and 18-inch wheels beginning with the 3.5 S. The 3.5 S should not be described as a universal 17-inch fitment.
This guide covers the sedan, not the separately sold Altima coupe. The 2013 Altima sedan owner's manual, section 9-9, supplies the sizes and offsets below; the Nissan U.S. 2013 model archive supplies the trim descriptions. A manual's equipment list is not permission to swap wheels between trims.
2013 Nissan Altima Tire Size by Trim
| Sedan equipment reference | Tire size | Wheel size and material | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16-inch equipment; manual lists 2.5 models | P215/60R16 | 16 x 7.0J steel | 50 mm |
| 17-inch equipment; U.S. archive lists 2.5 SV and 2.5 SL | P215/55R17 | 17 x 7.5J aluminum | 50 mm |
| 18-inch equipment; U.S. archive lists 3.5 S, 3.5 SV and 3.5 SL | P235/45R18 | 18 x 7.5J aluminum | 55 mm |
Check the individual car: The manual also lists P215/55R17 under both 2.5 and 3.5 models, while the U.S. trim archive lists 18-inch equipment for the 3.5 S and higher V6 trims. These sources do not establish one universal trim-to-size rule for every market or build. Use the vehicle label and Nissan's identification of your car to resolve the equipment before purchase.
What the Tire Size Numbers Mean
In 215/55R17, 215 is nominal section width in millimeters, 55 is the sidewall-height percentage of that width, R identifies radial construction, and 17 is the rim diameter in inches. The nominal sidewall calculation is 215 x 0.55 = 118.25 mm. Nissan explains tire markings in manual section 8-40.
A tire marked R17 requires a 17-inch rim; it cannot be mounted on a 16- or 18-inch rim. That mounting dimension is different from overall tire diameter. Do not use a similar-looking size marking as evidence that an alternate setup is approved.
2013 Altima Wheel Specs You Need for Replacement
The wheel width and offset in the table are manufacturer-published specifications. For the replacement part, also have Nissan or the installer confirm the bolt pattern, center bore, mounting hardware and vehicle application. The manual table cited here does not establish those additional dimensions, so this guide does not supply guessed values.
Matching diameter alone is not enough. Nissan's manual section 8-46 calls for the same offset when replacing wheels. Have the exact part verified against the car rather than assume any wheel advertised for an Altima will fit.
Should You Match One Wheel or Replace the Set?
For one damaged wheel, ask the installer to identify a matching replacement and inspect the other wheels before deciding how many need replacement. Compare the part identification, size, offset and finish. Replacing a full set is not automatically necessary, and a matching appearance is not a compatibility check.
You can browse the Nissan OEM rims collection or the full rim catalog. Use those listings to locate candidates, then confirm the exact application before ordering.
Can You Change Tire Sizes on a 2013 Altima?
Do not treat the three factory equipment combinations as a bolt-on conversion list. Ask Nissan or a qualified installer to verify an alternative for your particular car. Nissan's replacement guidance in sections 8-45 and 8-46 addresses tire size, load capacity, speed rating, wheel offset and the effects of changing equipment.
Calculating nominal diameter from the size markings gives approximately 26.16 inches for 215/60R16, 26.31 inches for 215/55R17 and 26.33 inches for 235/45R18. These are arithmetic estimates, not measured rolling diameters or approval for interchange.
16 vs 17 vs 18 Inch: Which Altima Setup Is Best?
For a replacement, start with the approved equipment on your car instead of choosing a diameter by appearance alone. This checklist helps separate identification from a proposed change:
- Keeping the existing factory setup: Confirm the vehicle label and exact wheel part before ordering.
- Considering another diameter: Obtain vehicle-specific approval rather than rely on the table as a conversion guide.
- Comparing cost: Compare actual suitable tire and wheel quotes. Diameter alone does not establish the lowest cost or best ride.
Common 2013 Altima Wheel Problems
A leak or vibration needs inspection; neither symptom by itself identifies the cause. Nissan advises checking rims for dents and corrosion in manual section 8-46. Have a tire professional inspect the wheel and tire rather than assume repeated air loss proves one particular defect.
The same section warns against installing a damaged or deformed wheel or tire, even if it has been repaired. Do not regard balancing, a cosmetic refinish or an OEM label as proof that a damaged wheel is suitable for use.
Replacement Tires by Factory Size
Read the vehicle label, not just the currently fitted tire: a previous owner may have changed the equipment. Nissan's section 8-45 replacement guidance calls for the original size, tread design, speed rating and load-carrying capacity. Have the installer confirm the complete tire specification, not only its diameter.
Tire Pressure for the 2013 Altima
The manual's section 8-39 pressure table lists the same front and rear cold pressures: 32 psi (220 kPa) for P215/60R16, and 33 psi (230 kPa) for P215/55R17 and P235/45R18. Confirm the Tire and Loading Information label on your car before inflating.
Cold means the vehicle has been parked for at least three hours or driven less than one mile at moderate speed, as defined in section 8-35. Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) service or resetting may be needed after replacement; have the installer follow Nissan's procedure rather than assume a matching tire size keeps the system working.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the stock tire size for a 2013 Nissan Altima?
The sedan manual lists P215/60R16, P215/55R17 and P235/45R18. The correct choice is the equipment specified for your individual car; check the vehicle label and the sedan equipment table above.
What is the bolt pattern on a 2013 Nissan Altima?
The manufacturer table used here publishes wheel sizes and offsets, not bolt pattern or center bore. Confirm those dimensions for the exact replacement part with Nissan or the installer. Counting the holes alone does not verify the bolt-circle diameter or compatibility.
Will 17-inch wheels fit a 2013 Altima 2.5 S?
Do not infer approval from the existence of a factory 17-inch option on other versions. Have the exact wheel and tire combination checked for your car before purchasing; the table is not a swap guarantee.
What tire pressure should a 2013 Altima run?
For the sedan, the manual lists 32 psi cold for P215/60R16 and 33 psi cold for P215/55R17 and P235/45R18, front and rear. Confirm your vehicle's label.
How do I verify that a replacement rim seats correctly?
Ask the installer to confirm the exact part and mounting requirements. Do not rely on an unsupported center-bore number, a brand label or a promise that a rim will seat correctly every time.
Get the Right Fit the First Time
Start with the vehicle label, the current wheel's identification and the manufacturer-published dimensions. Have the replacement part and tire specification confirmed for your 2013 Altima sedan before ordering. Keep a proposed size change separate from a like-for-like replacement.
