The 1986 Nissan Maxima sits in the era when sporty Japanese sedans were blending family-car practicality with a more driver-focused feel. As a midsize Nissan with a strong enthusiast following, it appeals to owners who want to preserve both the car’s road manners and its unmistakably mid-1980s look. The 1986 Nissan Maxima uses a 195/60R15 radial tire on a 15-inch rim, so the fitment question is straightforward. The real choice comes in how that size is presented, with blackwall, raised white letter, redline, and wide whitewall options available. That makes it important to balance authentic-era appearance, wheel compatibility, and intended driving use before selecting a tire.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Nissan Maxima
The 1986 Nissan Maxima uses one primary tire size: 195/60R15, a radial fitment for a 15-inch rim. That same size is shared across the GL and SE sub-models, so the main decision is not which size fits, but which tire style, brand, and overall presentation best suits the car and how you plan to drive it.
195/60R15 is a metric radial size in which 195 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1986 Nissan Maxima, this is the primary fitment and keeps the car in its intended modern radial construction. Available choices in this size include BFGoodrich and Michelin options, with sidewall treatments ranging from blackwall to RWL, redline, and wide whitewall across series such as Silvertown Radial, Radial TA, and Michelin Primacy 3. That gives owners room to match the tire to a restoration-minded appearance or a more contemporary road-going presentation.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1986 Nissan Maxima sub-models because both use the same primary size. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that the car remains on the correct wheel setup before comparing sidewall and tire-series options.
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1986 Nissan Maxima GL
The 1986 Nissan Maxima GL uses the same 195/60R15 radial fitment found across this model range. That keeps tire selection centered on appearance and product style, whether the goal is a clean blackwall look or a more restoration-oriented sidewall treatment.
The 1986 Nissan Maxima SE also uses the 195/60R15 radial tire size on a 15-inch rim. Tire choice is therefore less about fitment differences and more about choosing the right series, sidewall style, and wheel compatibility for the car’s current setup.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1986 Nissan Maxima Tires for Sale
Available 195/60R15 tires for the 1986 Nissan Maxima include BFGoodrich and Michelin radial options across several distinct looks. Buyers can compare Silvertown Radial, Radial TA, and Michelin Primacy 3 choices in blackwall, RWL, redline, and wide whitewall styles.
Common questions for the 1986 Nissan Maxima usually center on the 195/60R15 tire size, 15-inch rim fitment, sidewall choices, and how to choose the right radial tire for restoration-minded use or regular driving.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Nissan Maxima?
The 1986 Nissan Maxima uses a 195/60R15 radial tire. That size applies to both the GL and SE sub-models, making fitment simpler than on vehicles that vary by trim or wheel package. It is a metric radial size intended for a 15-inch rim.
The practical decision is choosing the right tire within that size rather than sorting through multiple primary fitments. Before replacing tires, confirm that the car still has the correct 15-inch wheels and has not been changed to an aftermarket wheel or suspension setup that could affect clearance or rim-width suitability.
What size rim does a 1986 Nissan Maxima use?
The 1986 Nissan Maxima uses a 15-inch rim with its 195/60R15 tire fitment. Both the GL and SE sub-models share that same rim diameter, which keeps the basic wheel and tire sizing consistent across the model range.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, so wheel width should still be checked before selecting a specific tire. That matters most when the car has replacement wheels, since a 15-inch wheel can still vary in width and affect how a tire sits and performs on the vehicle.
Do all 1986 Nissan Maxima sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1986 Nissan Maxima GL and 1986 Nissan Maxima SE both use the same 195/60R15 radial tire size. There is no sub-model split here that forces a different primary tire size between the two covered versions of the car.
That shared fitment makes shopping easier, but it does not eliminate the need to verify the car’s current wheel setup. A Maxima that has been modified over the years may no longer be running its original wheel dimensions, so checking the installed wheels helps avoid selecting a tire that is correct in size code but mismatched to the actual rim.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 195/60R15 tire for a 1986 Nissan Maxima?
Start with the confirmed fitment: 195/60R15 radial on a 15-inch rim. From there, the key factors are how you use the car, the sidewall style you want, and whether the tire’s rim-width specifications suit the wheels on the car. Product details such as load figures and overall tire weight can also help separate one option from another.
A restoration-minded Maxima may call for a redline or wide whitewall look, while a more contemporary driver may suit blackwall or raised white letter styling better. Comparing tire series is worthwhile too, especially when the car sees regular road use and the goal is to match the visual character of the tire to the vehicle.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Nissan Maxima tires?
The 1986 Nissan Maxima has several sidewall presentations available in 195/60R15, including blackwall, RWL, redline, and wide whitewall. Those choices can change the look of the car dramatically even when the size and basic radial construction stay the same.
A blackwall keeps the appearance cleaner and more understated, while raised white letters bring a stronger 1980s performance flavor. Redline and wide whitewall options lean more toward custom or restoration-oriented presentation, so the right choice depends on whether the car is being preserved as a period-style sedan, personalized, or driven with a more modern visual approach.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Nissan Maxima?
195/60R15 tires for the 1986 Nissan Maxima are available from BFGoodrich and Michelin. Within those brands, the available tire series include Silvertown Radial, Radial TA, and Michelin Primacy 3, giving the Maxima owner a mix of traditional-looking and more contemporary radial choices.
Brand selection should be considered alongside sidewall style, intended appearance, and wheel compatibility rather than treated as a stand-alone decision. One owner may want a wide whitewall or redline for visual impact, while another may prefer a plain blackwall touring-style presentation, so comparing the full product character matters more than choosing by name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Nissan Maxima?
A period-style 1986 Nissan Maxima should begin with the correct primary size, 195/60R15, and stay with radial construction. From there, the most useful decision is appearance: blackwall for a restrained look, RWL for a sportier 1980s character, or redline and wide whitewall options for a more personalized restoration-oriented presentation.
The best match depends on how closely the car is being preserved and what visual statement the owner wants the tires to make. When exact originality matters, it is worth checking marque references, old photography, and vehicle-specific documentation so the chosen sidewall treatment supports the car’s historical presentation rather than just fitting the wheel.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1986 Nissan Maxima?
On a 1986 Nissan Maxima, tire construction is straightforward because the primary fitment is already radial. That means the visual differences in a restored car are driven less by bias-ply versus radial questions and more by sidewall treatment, tire series, and how modern or traditional the overall tire design appears on the vehicle.
A clean blackwall generally gives the Maxima a more everyday showroom-style look, while RWL, redline, or wide whitewall options can push the car toward a stronger enthusiast or custom presentation. Even with the right size, tire styling has a major effect on the finished stance and personality of the car, especially on a well-kept mid-1980s sedan.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Nissan Maxima?
Yes. Even though the 1986 Nissan Maxima uses a straightforward 195/60R15 fitment, modifications can still change how that size works on the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body modifications can all influence clearance, steering travel, and how the tire sits on the rim.
A Maxima that remains stock is easier to match to the intended tire size, but an altered car should be checked carefully before replacement. Wheel width, actual rim diameter, and available space around the fenders and suspension are the main areas to verify so the selected tire suits the car as it exists today.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Nissan Maxima on new tires?
Before putting a 1986 Nissan Maxima back on the road with new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size and rim diameter, and check for any signs of rubbing at full steering lock. It is also smart to look over alignment, suspension wear, and valve stems so the new tires are not compromised early.
Collector and low-use cars deserve extra attention because old suspension parts, dry seals, and uneven wheel condition can hide under a fresh set of tires. Tire pressure should be monitored closely during the first drives, and any vibration, pull, or unusual clearance issue should be addressed before the car is used regularly.
How should 195/60R15 tires on a collector 1986 Nissan Maxima be maintained?
195/60R15 tires on a collector 1986 Nissan Maxima should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and irregular wear, and protected from long periods of heat, sunlight, and moisture. Cars that see limited use should also be checked for slow air loss since tire condition can age out before tread is worn down.
Routine visual inspection matters just as much as mileage on an older enthusiast car. Driving the Maxima occasionally, keeping the suspension in sound condition, and storing it away from ozone sources such as electric motors or compressors can help preserve the tires and make the car more predictable when it is time to head back onto the road.
