The 1999 Acura NSX sits in a special place among modern Japanese performance cars, blending exotic proportions, everyday drivability, and the kind of engineering discipline that made the NSX a benchmark in its era. By this point in the model’s development, tire fitment was an essential part of the car’s balance, with a staggered radial setup using 215/45R16 up front and 245/40R17 in the rear. That front-and-rear size split means the real decision is less about broad fitment and more about matching the correct position, wheel diameter, and tire character. For owners focused on road use, proper stagger, wheel compatibility, and tire condition all deserve careful attention.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1999 Acura NSX
The 1999 Acura NSX uses two primary tire sizes, with one size for the front axle and another for the rear. Both are radial metric fitments, but they use different rim diameters, so the first step is confirming tire position and wheel size before selecting a replacement. Once that is settled, the decision becomes choosing a tire that matches the NSX’s staggered setup and intended road use.
Fit(s): Alex Zanardi Edition Front, Base Front, and T Front
Construction: Radial|Rim: 16 in
215/45R16 is a metric radial size in which 215 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 45 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1999 Acura NSX, this size is used at the front and plays an important role in preserving the car’s intended staggered balance. Its lower-profile metric format reflects a modern performance-oriented tire specification rather than a vintage bias-ply system. Choosing this size correctly means confirming that the front wheel remains the proper 16-inch fitment and avoiding any mix-up with the larger rear tire size.
Fit(s): Alex Zanardi Edition Rear, Base Rear, and T Rear
Construction: Radial|Rim: 17 in
245/40R17 is a metric radial size with a 245-millimeter nominal section width, a 40-series profile, radial construction, and a 17-inch rim diameter. On the 1999 Acura NSX, this is the rear tire size, and it is where the available product selection appears, all in blackwall form from BFGoodrich across several g-Force series. Those choices create meaningful differences in rim-width compatibility, load specification, and tire character within the same basic size. Selecting this rear size correctly starts with confirming the 17-inch rear wheel and keeping the front-to-rear stagger intact.
Sub-model fitment on the 1999 Acura NSX is straightforward because the covered versions share the same staggered tire arrangement. What matters most is recognizing that the front and rear are treated separately, so tire selection should always begin with wheel position as well as sub-model identification.
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1999 Acura NSX Alex Zanardi Edition Front
The 1999 Acura NSX Alex Zanardi Edition Front uses the same front radial tire size found on the other covered NSX versions. That keeps the decision centered on confirming the 16-inch front wheel and matching the tire to the correct axle position rather than searching for a unique sub-model-only size.
The 1999 Acura NSX Alex Zanardi Edition Rear uses the shared rear radial size for this model year. Tire selection here is mainly about choosing among the available 17-inch rear tire options while preserving the NSX’s staggered front-to-rear setup.
The 1999 Acura NSX Base Front follows the same front tire fitment pattern as the other covered NSX sub-models. That makes proper front-wheel confirmation and maintaining the correct stagger more important than any trim-specific tire difference.
The 1999 Acura NSX Base Rear uses the same rear tire size as the other covered NSX configurations. For selection purposes, the key is choosing a rear tire that matches the 17-inch wheel and works as part of the complete staggered setup.
The 1999 Acura NSX T Front shares its front radial fitment with the rest of the covered NSX range. Tire choice should stay focused on the proper 16-inch front application and on maintaining the correct front-to-rear relationship with the rear tires.
The 1999 Acura NSX T Rear uses the common rear fitment for this year and model. That means the buyer can focus on comparing available rear tire options in the correct 17-inch size while keeping the intended staggered configuration in place.
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 1999 Acura NSX Tires for Sale
Available rear 245/40R17 choices center on BFGoodrich, with blackwall radial options in several g-Force series. The main differences to compare in the product grid are tire series, rim-width compatibility, weight, and load specification within the NSX’s rear fitment.
These 1999 Acura NSX tire FAQs focus on the car’s staggered front-and-rear sizing, wheel diameters, available rear tire choices, and the fitment checks that matter before road use on a low-profile performance setup.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1999 Acura NSX?
The 1999 Acura NSX uses a staggered radial tire setup with 215/45R16 in the front and 245/40R17 in the rear. Those are two different metric radial sizes, and each one belongs to a specific axle position rather than serving as an all-around fitment for the car.
That means the first step is confirming whether you are replacing a front or rear tire, then verifying the wheel diameter at that position. The NSX depends on its front-to-rear stagger for proper fitment, so mixing positions, changing diameters, or assuming all four corners use the same size can create avoidable clearance and setup issues.
What size rim does a 1999 Acura NSX use?
The 1999 Acura NSX uses two rim diameters as part of its staggered arrangement: 16 inches in the front and 17 inches in the rear. The front 215/45R16 mounts on a 16-inch wheel, while the rear 245/40R17 mounts on a 17-inch wheel.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed before ordering tires because the NSX does not use the same rim size at both ends. It is also worth checking the actual wheels on the car if it has been modified over the years, since aftermarket wheels can change dimensions and affect which tire sizes remain appropriate.
Do all 1999 Acura NSX sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 1999 Acura NSX sub-models share the same overall staggered tire arrangement. The Alex Zanardi Edition, Base, and NSX T all use 215/45R16 at the front and 245/40R17 at the rear, so the fitment pattern stays consistent across those versions.
Even with shared sub-model fitment, the front and rear must still be treated as separate tire positions. A buyer should confirm which axle needs replacement, verify the actual wheel diameter on the car, and keep the stagger intact rather than assuming a single size can be used everywhere.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 245/40R17 tire for a 1999 Acura NSX?
The starting point is using the correct rear size, 245/40R17, on the proper 17-inch wheel. From there, compare the available BFGoodrich options by tire series, rim-width compatibility, load specification where stated, and overall suitability for the way the car is driven and maintained.
Selection should also account for how the rear tire works with the NSX’s front 215/45R16 fitment as part of a staggered setup. Checking the wheel width on the car is especially important, since the available rear tires do not all share the same rim-width range within this size.
What sidewall styles are available for 1999 Acura NSX tires?
The available 245/40R17 rear tire options for the 1999 Acura NSX are blackwall radials. That keeps the appearance straightforward and modern, which suits the NSX’s late-1990s performance-car character without introducing multiple sidewall treatments to sort through in this rear size.
Because the sidewall presentation is consistent, the more meaningful comparisons shift to tire series, rim-width range, and other specification differences within the same blackwall format. Buyers trying to preserve a clean, contemporary look can concentrate on correct fitment and axle position rather than deciding between whitewall, redline, or raised-letter variations.
What tire series are available for the 1999 Acura NSX?
In the available 245/40R17 rear fitment, the 1999 Acura NSX can use BFGoodrich tires from the g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, and g-Force Phenom T/A series. All of them are radial blackwall tires built around the same rear size but differentiated by series and supporting specifications.
That makes series comparison a useful part of the buying process, especially if the car sees regular street use and careful enthusiast maintenance. It is still important to confirm wheel width and keep the front-and-rear size split unchanged, since the right series choice only matters after the basic rear fitment is correct.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1999 Acura NSX?
A period-style 1999 Acura NSX tire choice starts with keeping the original staggered size format intact: 215/45R16 in front and 245/40R17 in the rear. Since this NSX uses modern low-profile radial sizes rather than vintage bias-ply dimensions, the right visual approach usually comes from preserving the correct stance and wheel-to-tire relationship.
Appearance decisions should stay secondary to proper position-specific fitment, especially on a car whose look depends heavily on its factory-era proportions. For owners pursuing a highly exact restoration, period photos, marque references, and vehicle-specific documentation are worth consulting before making a final brand or presentation choice.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1999 Acura NSX restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1999 Acura NSX restoration because the car uses a staggered radial setup with different front and rear sizes and different wheel diameters. Keeping those specifications aligned helps preserve the visual balance that is central to the NSX’s design and roadgoing character.
Restoration-minded owners should pay close attention to axle position, wheel diameter, and overall presentation rather than treating tire replacement as a generic size match. Even if the car is driven sparingly, incorrect front-to-rear sizing can alter both appearance and fitment, so the tire choice should support the intended restored stance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1999 Acura NSX?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1999 Acura NSX. The car already uses a staggered setup with 16-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels, so changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered offsets, suspension lowering, or body modifications can influence clearance and the suitability of the original tire sizes.
Any modified NSX should be checked at the wheel and tire level before replacement tires are chosen. Wheel width, actual rim diameter, steering clearance at the front, and fender or suspension clearance at both ends all deserve attention so the original position-specific sizing logic is not disrupted.
What should I inspect before driving a 1999 Acura NSX on new tires?
Before driving a 1999 Acura NSX on new tires, inspect wheel condition, confirm that the correct front and rear sizes are mounted in the proper positions, and check inflation pressure carefully. It is also wise to look over the suspension, alignment condition, and the surrounding wheelwell areas for anything that could affect clearance.
A short test drive should be approached with attention to vibration, rubbing, and any sign that the staggered setup was installed incorrectly. On a low-profile performance car like the NSX, small fitment problems tend to show up quickly, so early inspection after installation is an important part of safe road use.
How often should tires on a 1999 Acura NSX be inspected?
Tires on a 1999 Acura NSX should be inspected regularly, especially if the car is driven infrequently or kept as a collector vehicle. Pressure, tread condition, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of air loss all deserve routine attention, since age and storage conditions can matter as much as mileage on specialty cars.
Inspection is especially important before longer drives or after the car has been sitting for extended periods. The NSX’s low-profile front and rear tires work as a matched staggered system, so catching uneven wear, damage, or pressure loss early helps protect both fitment integrity and the car’s expected road manners.
