5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

basic question about tires

Old Feb 18, 2003 | 07:09 AM
  #1  
DoctorD's Avatar
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basic question about tires

Hi everyone,

My parents recently gave me a used 2002 Nissan Maxima SE. The car presumably came with the original tires on it, but my parents immediately changed the tires, thinking they were doing me a favor. The factory-installed Nissan tires are P225/50/VR17. They cost $200 apiece. Instead, my parents put $70 tires from Pep Boys on the car that are size 225/55/R17, which Pep Boys claimed are an acceptable substitute tire for this car.

I recently took the car to a Nissan dealer to fix the alignment. The dealer insisted that my alignment is off because I have the wrong size tires on the car and refused to align the wheels until I change the tires to the 225/50/17 tires, which they sell for over $200 each! I brought the car to another mechanic who also told me that the current tires are wrong and that there is only one correct size tires for my car.

I am unclear as to whether Nissan Maximas are made in a way that does not allow changes to tire size, or if this is just what I am being told by people who want to sell me expensive tires. I want to know if I can put a different size tire on my car (that costs less than $200!) without hurting the car in the long run.

Thanks.
Old Feb 18, 2003 | 07:12 AM
  #2  
jjs's Avatar
jjs
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 4,968
Re: basic question about tires

Originally posted by DoctorD
Hi everyone,

My parents recently gave me a used 2002 Nissan Maxima SE. The car presumably came with the original tires on it, but my parents immediately changed the tires, thinking they were doing me a favor. The factory-installed Nissan tires are P225/50/VR17. They cost $200 apiece. Instead, my parents put $70 tires from Pep Boys on the car that are size 225/55/R17, which Pep Boys claimed are an acceptable substitute tire for this car.

I recently took the car to a Nissan dealer to fix the alignment. The dealer insisted that my alignment is off because I have the wrong size tires on the car and refused to align the wheels until I change the tires to the 225/50/17 tires, which they sell for over $200 each! I brought the car to another mechanic who also told me that the current tires are wrong and that there is only one correct size tires for my car.

I am unclear as to whether Nissan Maximas are made in a way that does not allow changes to tire size, or if this is just what I am being told by people who want to sell me expensive tires. I want to know if I can put a different size tire on my car (that costs less than $200!) without hurting the car in the long run.

Thanks.

PLEASE....PLEASE....PLEASE

READ the FAQ's and use the SEARCH function on this!!!
Old Feb 18, 2003 | 07:12 AM
  #3  
y2kse's Avatar
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From: City of the Fallen Angel, CA
Re: basic question about tires

Originally posted by DoctorD
Hi everyone,

My parents recently gave me a used 2002 Nissan Maxima SE. The car presumably came with the original tires on it, but my parents immediately changed the tires, thinking they were doing me a favor. The factory-installed Nissan tires are P225/50/VR17. They cost $200 apiece. Instead, my parents put $70 tires from Pep Boys on the car that are size 225/55/R17, which Pep Boys claimed are an acceptable substitute tire for this car.

I recently took the car to a Nissan dealer to fix the alignment. The dealer insisted that my alignment is off because I have the wrong size tires on the car and refused to align the wheels until I change the tires to the 225/50/17 tires, which they sell for over $200 each! I brought the car to another mechanic who also told me that the current tires are wrong and that there is only one correct size tires for my car.

I am unclear as to whether Nissan Maximas are made in a way that does not allow changes to tire size, or if this is just what I am being told by people who want to sell me expensive tires. I want to know if I can put a different size tire on my car (that costs less than $200!) without hurting the car in the long run.

Thanks.
The first thing you need to do is educate yourself regarding tire and rim sizes, DoctorD. Begin by going to the top of the 5th Gen Forum and reading all of the tire posts in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ-U) thread. If you have questions after that, do a search under the word "tires" in the 5th Gen Forum. Then settle back for what will amount to a great deal of reading and learning.
Old Feb 18, 2003 | 07:19 AM
  #4  
iwannabmw's Avatar
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Re: basic question about tires

Originally posted by DoctorD
Hi everyone,

My parents recently gave me a used 2002 Nissan Maxima SE. The car presumably came with the original tires on it, but my parents immediately changed the tires, thinking they were doing me a favor. The factory-installed Nissan tires are P225/50/VR17. They cost $200 apiece. Instead, my parents put $70 tires from Pep Boys on the car that are size 225/55/R17, which Pep Boys claimed are an acceptable substitute tire for this car.

I recently took the car to a Nissan dealer to fix the alignment. The dealer insisted that my alignment is off because I have the wrong size tires on the car and refused to align the wheels until I change the tires to the 225/50/17 tires, which they sell for over $200 each! I brought the car to another mechanic who also told me that the current tires are wrong and that there is only one correct size tires for my car.

I am unclear as to whether Nissan Maximas are made in a way that does not allow changes to tire size, or if this is just what I am being told by people who want to sell me expensive tires. I want to know if I can put a different size tire on my car (that costs less than $200!) without hurting the car in the long run.

Thanks.
There's only a 3% difference in the size of those tires, aligning them shouldn't be a major issue. A good independent shop shouldn't hassle you.
Old Feb 18, 2003 | 07:37 AM
  #5  
y2kse's Avatar
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Posts: 4,728
From: City of the Fallen Angel, CA
Re: Re: basic question about tires

Originally posted by iwannabmw


There's only a 3% difference in the size of those tires, aligning them shouldn't be a major issue. A good independent shop shouldn't hassle you.
You STILL need to know more than this about correct tire sizing, DoctorD. Do your homework.
Old Feb 18, 2003 | 10:48 AM
  #6  
johnny2kgle's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 291
DoctorD, check out http://www.tirerack.com/index.jsp. It will show the cheap to the $$$ tires.
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