The 1997 Acura NSX sits in a distinctive place among 1990s performance cars, pairing exotic mid-engine layout and aluminum-intensive engineering with the everyday usability that made the NSX such a serious benchmark. Tire fitment matters here because the car uses a staggered radial setup, with 215/45R16 up front and 245/40R17 at the rear. That means the decision is less about finding one universal size and more about keeping the front-to-rear balance intact while choosing the right rear tire option. For an NSX owner, the real focus is preserving proper sizing, wheel compatibility, and the car's intended handling character before any change is made.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1997 Acura NSX
The 1997 Acura NSX uses two primary tire sizes, and they are position-specific rather than interchangeable. A 215/45R16 radial fits the front on a 16-inch rim, while a 245/40R17 radial fits the rear on a 17-inch rim. The first step is confirming whether you are selecting a front or rear tire, because wheel diameter and tire size both change across the car.
215/45R16 is a metric radial size in which 215 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 45 is the aspect ratio, R designates radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1997 Acura NSX, this size serves the front position and is part of the car's staggered setup. That makes it an important piece of the NSX's overall balance rather than a standalone size choice. The practical goal is to keep the correct front specification in place so steering feel, clearance, and front-to-rear proportion remain aligned with the vehicle's intended setup.
245/40R17 is a metric radial size with a 245-millimeter nominal section width, a 40-series profile, and a 17-inch rim diameter. On the 1997 Acura NSX, this is the rear tire size, so it works with the wider rear wheel and the car's staggered fitment layout. Available rear tire choices center on BFGoodrich, with blackwall construction offered across g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, and g-Force Phenom T/A series. Choosing within this size means comparing wheel-width suitability and tire character while keeping the rear fitment matched to the NSX's proper front-and-rear sizing relationship.
Sub-model fitment stays consistent across the covered 1997 Acura NSX versions, with the same staggered front and rear sizing used on both Base and T configurations. What matters most is identifying whether you are replacing a front tire or a rear tire, since the wheel diameter and tire size change by position.
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1997 Acura NSX Base Front
The 1997 Acura NSX Base Front uses the 215/45R16 radial front tire size. Tire selection at this position centers on preserving the correct front fitment so the NSX keeps its intended steering response and front-to-rear balance.
The 1997 Acura NSX Base Rear uses the 245/40R17 radial rear tire size. Rear tire selection involves comparing the available BFGoodrich blackwall options while confirming wheel-width compatibility for the specific rear wheel on the car.
The 1997 Acura NSX T Front uses the same 215/45R16 radial front tire size as the Base front position. That keeps the decision focused on maintaining proper front specification rather than sorting through multiple front fitments.
The 1997 Acura NSX T Rear uses the same 245/40R17 radial rear tire size as the Base rear position. The key step is choosing among the available rear tire series while making sure the tire matches the wheel and the car's staggered rear 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 1997 Acura NSX Tires for Sale
Available 1997 Acura NSX rear tire options in 245/40R17 come from BFGoodrich in several g-Force series, all in blackwall radial construction. The main comparison points are tire series and rim-width suitability across the rear wheel setup.
These 1997 Acura NSX tire FAQs focus on the car's staggered front and rear sizing, rim fitment, rear tire choices, and the maintenance checks that matter before spirited road use or longer drives.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1997 Acura NSX?
The 1997 Acura NSX uses a staggered tire setup with 215/45R16 on the front and 245/40R17 on the rear. Both are radial tire sizes, and they are assigned to specific positions rather than used interchangeably across all four corners.
That means the first thing to confirm is whether you are replacing a front tire or a rear tire. Matching the correct position-specific size helps preserve the car's intended balance, while using the wrong diameter or section width can create avoidable issues with wheel fitment, handling feel, and overall front-to-rear proportion.
What size rim does a 1997 Acura NSX use?
A 1997 Acura NSX uses two rim diameters as part of its staggered setup. The front tire size, 215/45R16, mounts on a 16-inch rim, while the rear tire size, 245/40R17, mounts on a 17-inch rim.
That front-and-rear difference is critical when ordering tires, because a rear 17-inch tire is not a substitute for the 16-inch front fitment. It is also worth checking the actual wheels on the car, especially if it has been changed from stock-style sizing, since aftermarket wheels can alter both diameter and width requirements.
Do all 1997 Acura NSX sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 1997 Acura NSX sub-models share the same position-based tire sizing. Both the Base and NSX T use 215/45R16 at the front and 245/40R17 at the rear, so the fitment pattern remains consistent across those versions.
The practical distinction is not Base versus T, but front versus rear. An owner replacing tires should verify which axle is being serviced and confirm that the wheels still match the original staggered arrangement, particularly if the car has seen wheel upgrades or prior tire substitutions over the years.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 245/40R17 tire for a 1997 Acura NSX?
The main considerations are keeping the correct rear size, staying with radial construction, and comparing the tire's wheel-width suitability against the rear rim on the car. In 245/40R17, the available 1997 Acura NSX rear options include several BFGoodrich g-Force series in blackwall form.
Selection becomes more meaningful once the wheel setup is confirmed. A tire that suits one rear rim width may not be the best match for another, so checking the actual rear wheel dimension is important, especially on cars that may no longer wear their original-style wheels.
What brands offer tires for the 1997 Acura NSX?
For the 1997 Acura NSX rear size of 245/40R17, the available products are from BFGoodrich. They are offered in multiple g-Force series, all in radial construction and blackwall sidewall treatment.
That means the brand decision is straightforward, while the real comparison happens within the available tire lines. An NSX owner should look at the specific tire series and wheel-width compatibility rather than assuming every 245/40R17 tire serves the same purpose on the rear of this staggered setup.
What tire series are available for the 1997 Acura NSX?
The 1997 Acura NSX rear size 245/40R17 is available in BFGoodrich g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, and g-Force Phenom T/A series. Each remains within the correct rear size and radial construction, but the series names distinguish the product choices within that fitment.
That gives the buyer a useful way to compare options without changing the tire size itself. Once the rear wheel width is confirmed, the next step is deciding which series best matches the intended use of the car, whether the priority is regular road driving, occasional spirited use, or maintaining a clean modern blackwall appearance.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1997 Acura NSX?
A period-style 1997 Acura NSX tire choice starts with keeping the original staggered size relationship intact: 215/45R16 in front and 245/40R17 in the rear. Because this NSX uses radial construction, the most authentic visual approach usually comes from preserving the correct low-profile sizing and overall stance rather than switching construction types.
Appearance on a 1990s performance car is closely tied to proportion, wheel diameter, and sidewall height. Owners pursuing a highly exact restoration standard should compare the current setup against marque-specific references and vehicle history, while also making sure any replacement tire still suits the wheel dimensions actually on the car.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1997 Acura NSX restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1997 Acura NSX restoration because the car's visual balance depends on its staggered front and rear sizing. The 16-inch front and 17-inch rear combination contributes not only to appearance, but also to the way the car sits and presents itself from every angle.
Using the wrong size or mixing mismatched profiles can change that presentation quickly, even before the car is driven. A restoration-minded owner should confirm front and rear sizes separately, inspect the actual wheel set on the vehicle, and avoid assuming that any tire with a similar width will preserve the intended look.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1997 Acura NSX?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1997 Acura NSX, especially because the car already uses different front and rear tire sizes and different rim diameters. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered suspension height, or body and alignment changes can influence clearance and the way a given size sits on the car.
That is why the actual setup should be checked before ordering replacements. Measuring the installed wheel diameter and width, then confirming clearance at full steering lock and through suspension travel, helps prevent problems that may not appear on an unmodified NSX using its original staggered arrangement.
What should I inspect before driving a 1997 Acura NSX on new tires?
Before driving a 1997 Acura NSX on new tires, inspect wheel condition, confirm that the correct front and rear sizes were installed, and check inflation pressure carefully. It is also wise to verify that the tires seat properly on the rims and that there is no contact with suspension or body components.
A short initial road test can reveal vibration, pull, or clearance issues before the car is used more aggressively. Since the NSX relies on a staggered setup, it is especially important to confirm that front and rear tires were not mixed or mounted in the wrong positions during installation.
What should I check before a longer drive in a 1997 Acura NSX?
Before a longer drive, check tread and sidewall condition, look for cracking, bulges, cuts, or uneven wear, and confirm that all tires are holding pressure consistently. On a 1997 Acura NSX, also make sure the front 215/45R16 and rear 245/40R17 sizes are still matched correctly to the wheels at each end.
Collector and weekend-driven cars often sit for long periods, so age and storage effects deserve as much attention as tread depth. A careful pre-drive inspection of tires, wheels, and valve stems can catch issues early, especially on a performance car where incorrect pressure or unnoticed sidewall damage can affect confidence on the road.
