OK guys, I already posted this question in the Tires/Wheels forum but I've got no responses yet and I need to buy some tires tomorrow so I'm going to ask here too. Maybe someone with the SE rims knows what to do...

When I bought my car in October, (1999 Max with 16 inch 5-spoke SE rims) I put winter tires on a few weeks later. Now I am taking them off, but I noticed the tires that came with my car (new Yokohama AVID V4's in the front and Goodyear Eagles on the rear) are 2 different sizes! The Yoko's are P205/55R16 and the Eagles are P215 55R16. Is this okay? I know that Nissan specifies that I should use P215's so I'm wondering why the dealership put 2 P205's on there as well. Furthermore, I checked my winter tires again and the tire place sold me P205's all around!

What is the difference between these 2 sizes and are they both okay to use? I need to buy some new summer tires tomorrow cause the Eagles are all cracked between the treads...

 

Stock tire size for the SE is 215/55/16. I would go with the same size all the way around. I don't think it was a problem with the two different sizes, but it is best for all four to be the same. I would go with 225/50/16 if you want a little more aggressive stance.

 

Chances are the dealership just put on the most available tires they had on hand without bothering to care for putting the exact size match. Still, shouldn't cause you any problems.

 

215 is just the width in millimeters of the tire at it's widest point, when mounted on the proper size rim. So your 205's are just a little skinnier, it shouldn't cause you any problems.

 

The 2 Yokohama AVID V4's I have are 205's so I guess it wouldn't be a problem if I just bought 2 more of those in the 205 size? Preferably I'd like to have the proper 215's but saving money instead of buying 4 new tires is the more attractive option for me! I just wonder why the tire place sold me 205's in my winter tires.

 

or they prolly got the car form the person that traded it in with 205's

 

I suggest going with the 225s. There are many types available in that size, and the extra rubber protects the lip from scrapes.

Dave

 

Depends on what kind of tire place you are going to, I go to discount tire, a huge retail store and they still tried to give me some crap 205/65R15 saying thats what my car was rated for, I said I want 215/60R15, they said your car is not rated for those, we cant do it. I said ok I am going to costco then. He says well let me get a manger, and the manager comes over and says, oh sorry about the misunderstanding, your car will be ready in an hour. They were trying to sell me more expensive 205's. Crooks!

 

I forgot to mention that they put those 2 new tires on the car before I bought them in order for it to pass the inspection. The old tires were too worn. I'm also stressing that I spent $1000 on winter tires that are the wrong size and possibly unsafe. I drove with them all winter and had no problems though.

 

There is nothing unsafe about 205's. Are you looking to make a case against the shop that sold you the 205 snow tires, so that you can return them now that you don't need them or something?

 

Just because 2 tires have the same aspect ratio (205/55/16), it doesn't mean that they will be the same diameter.

215/55/16 Kumho ASX O.D. - 25.3"
205/55/16 Kumho ASX O.D. - 24.9"

So, the 215 is 10mm wider and 10mm taller