We’ve written extensively about the Nissan Altima and numerous questions you can have about this car. Today, we will talk about the information you need to have to select the correct new tires or rims for your Nissan. Specifically, we’ll take a look at the bolt pattern for each generation. Let’s start with a quick answer:
All generations of the Nissan Altima have a bolt pattern of 4×4.5 inches (4×114.3mm) before 2001 and 5×4.5 (5×114.3mm) from 2001 onwards. Furthermore, they have a center bore of 2.6 inches (66.1 mm), and four or five lug nuts with a thread size of M12 x 1.25 that need to be tightened with 83 lb-ft of force.
However, that certainly doesn’t tell the whole story. Below we’ve outlined the bolt pattern in more detail for each generation. We also discuss what lugs/bolts are used precisely, the exact diameter of the center bore hub, and the torque specifications of the bolts. Finally, we also have information about each engine type’s exact tire size and rim size. You should know precisely what you can and cannot buy this way. Read on!
Also read: Is The Nissan Altima A Sports Car? (Answered)
Wheel Fitment Specifications Per Generation
To fit a wheel properly on your Nissan Altima, you’ll need to know more aspects than just the bolt pattern. Below we’ve outlined all the factors you should be aware of for each generation of the Altima. These include: center bore diameter, wheel tightening torque, whether lug nuts or bolts are used, and the thread size of the bolts.
We also want to clarify that the below-listed specifications are the same for all models within that generation. The Altima, of course, comes in different trim levels and engine options. However, these bolt patterns, lugs used, and torque specifications do not change for other models within a generation.
Furthermore, we also listed the exact tire and rim size used with each engine option to give you a precise idea of what tires you can and cannot buy.
Also read: The Expected Mileage Of A Nissan Altima
2019 – 2022
- Nissan Altima with a 2.0i Turbo I4 engine has a standard tire size of 235/40VR19 and a standard rim size of 8Jx19 ET55.
- Nissan Altima with a 2.5i I4 engine has a standard tire size of 215/60HR16 or 215/55VR17 and a standard rim size of 7Jx16 ET45 or 7.5Jx17 ET50.
2016 – 2018
- Nissan Altima with a 2.5i I4 engine has a standard tire size of 215/60R16 or 215/55R17 and a standard rim size of 7Jx16 ET50 or 7.5Jx17 ET50.
- Nissan Altima with a 3.5i V6 engine has a standard tire size of 235/45R18 and a standard rim size of 7.5Jx18 ET55.
2013 – 2015
- Nissan Altima with a 2.5i I4 engine has a standard tire size of 215/60R16 or 215/55R17 and a standard rim size of 7Jx16 ET50 or 7.5Jx17 ET50.
- Nissan Altima with a 3.5i V6 engine has a standard tire size of 215/55R17 or 235/45R18 and a standard rim size of 7.5Jx17 ET50 or 7.5Jx18 ET55.
2007 – 2013
- Nissan Altima with a 2.5 I4 engine has a standard tire size of 215/60R16 and a standard rim size of 7Jx16 ET45.
- Nissan Altima with a 3.5 V6 engine has a standard tire size of 215/60R16, 215/55R17 or 235/45R18 and a standard rim size of 7Jx16 ET45, 7.5Jx17 ET50 or 7.5Jx18 ET55.
2005 – 2006
- Nissan Altima with a 2.5 I4 or 3.5 (250hp) V6 engine has a standard tire size of 215/60R16 and a standard rim size of 6.5Jx16 ET40.
- Nissan Altima with a 3.5 (260hp) V6 engine has a standard tire size of 225/45ZR18 and a standard rim size of 8Jx18 ET45.
2002 – 2004
- Nissan Altima with a 2.5 I4 engine has a standard tire size of 205/65R16 and a standard rim size of 6.5Jx16 ET40.
- Nissan Altima with a 3.5 V6 engine has a standard tire size of 215/55R17 and a standard rim size of 7Jx17 ET45.
2000 – 2001
- Nissan Altima with a 2.4 I4 engine has a standard tire size of 195/65R15 and a standard rim size of 6Jx15 ET45.
1998 – 1999
- Nissan Altima with a 2.4 I4 engine has a standard tire size of 205/60R15 and a standard rim size of 6Jx15 ET45.
1993 – 1997
- Nissan Altima with a 2.4 I4 engine has a standard tire size of 205/60R15 and a standard rim size of 6Jx15 ET45.
Also read: Nissan Altima Transmissions: Overview, Problems, Fluids
Retightening The Bolts
As said before, most generations of the Nissan that we discussed have five lug nuts. These need to be secured in a specific way when you mount the wheel to the car again. This information is stated in the owner’s manual, but we’ve gone through the effort of instructing you here. Nissan advises you to bolt these nuts in the way that’s shown below. You have to follow a crisscross pattern.
You do this by tightening all the nuts with a wheel wrench first. Please make sure only to tighten them halfway; otherwise, you’ll run into problems.
In the second round, you tighten them with the wheel wrench to the appropriate lbs-ft or Nm that we’ve stated earlier. Please note that the newest generation of the Nissan Altima needs to have the bolts tightened to 83 lb-ft.
It’s expected that your wheel also have a center cap or cover. These need to be secured in the same pattern. Please tighten them first-hand snug with your hands. Then, use the wheel wrench to tighten them another one-quarter turn.
It’s also important to check if the lug nuts are still secured after 30 miles (48 kilometers). Please make sure they are all in place and still tightened with the proper force. If not, tighten them again and recheck. If this keeps happening, you’ll need to replace the wheel.
Also read: Types Of Fuel A Nissan Altima Uses (All Generations)
When Or Why To Rotate/Change Tires
Suppose you’re changing your tire. You also need to know when to change or rotate it precisely. Let’s first talk about changing your tires. Tires usually last around 60,000 – 75,000 miles or 4-5 years. After this period they need to be replaced. Sometimes this happens earlier, and therefore, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the tread wear indicators. These are shown in the image below. These indicators show when the tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in) or less tread remaining.
Another occasion when you’ll need to take off your tires is when you’re rotating them. In the owner’s manual of the Altima, it’s said that this needs to happen every 7,500 miles or 12,000 kilometers. It’s advised you rotate the tires in the exact way that’s shown below. The front tires are moved to the back, and the front tires move crisscross to the front.
Sources
- https://www.wheel-size.com/size/nissan/altima/
- https://www.nissanusa.com/owners/ownership/manuals-guides.html
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
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