The 2001 Nissan Maxima sits in the era when Nissan's flagship front-drive sedan balanced family-car practicality with a distinctly sport-minded personality. Buyers could get the Maxima in comfort-oriented or sharper-handling trims, and that matters because tire fitment changes across the lineup. This model uses three primary radial sizes: 205/65R15, 215/55R16, and 225/50R17, depending on the exact sub-model and wheel package. Available choices range from blackwall performance-oriented tires to redline and wide whitewall radials that create a very different visual character. The key is matching the tire to the right trim, wheel diameter, and the look or road feel you want from the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2001 Nissan Maxima
The 2001 Nissan Maxima uses three different radial tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. The first thing to confirm is whether the car has 15-inch, 16-inch, or 17-inch wheels, since each size is tied to a specific rim diameter. Once that is settled, the real choice becomes whether you want a more understated blackwall look, a performance-oriented tire series, or a distinctive redline or wide whitewall presentation where available.
215/55R16 is a metric radial size in which 215 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 55 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 2001 Nissan Maxima, this size suits trims that use a 16-inch wheel and keeps the selection in a modern radial format. Available choices include BFGoodrich and American Classic options, with blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall styles represented across different tire series. It is a useful size to verify carefully when a Maxima has changed hands or received wheel swaps, because both standard and upgraded trims can use 16-inch fitment.
205/65R15 is a metric radial size with a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a 65-series profile, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter. On the 2001 Nissan Maxima, this size belongs to configurations that retain the smaller 15-inch wheel setup. The available products in this size come from BFGoodrich in the Silvertown Radial series, with redline and wide whitewall sidewall treatments that give the car a noticeably different appearance from a plain blackwall tire. This size should be chosen only after confirming the car still has its correct 15-inch wheels rather than later 16-inch or 17-inch replacements.
225/50R17 is a metric radial size where 225 is the nominal width in millimeters, 50 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 17 marks the wheel diameter in inches. For the 2001 Nissan Maxima, this size is associated with 17-inch wheel applications and carries the most performance-focused product mix among the available choices. BFGoodrich and Nitto offerings in this size use blackwall sidewalls and include g-Force and NT555 G2 series options. It is the size to evaluate when the car has a sport-oriented trim or anniversary package, but wheel diameter should always be confirmed before ordering.
Tire fitment on the 2001 Nissan Maxima varies by sub-model, so identifying the exact trim is the first step before choosing a tire. Some versions share the same 16-inch setup, while others use either a 15-inch or 17-inch wheel and tire package.
1
2001 Nissan Maxima GLE
The 2001 Nissan Maxima GLE uses a 215/55R16 radial tire on a 16-inch wheel. That keeps the selection focused on choosing the right sidewall style or tire character within that size rather than sorting through multiple primary fitments.
The 2001 Nissan Maxima GXE uses the 205/65R15 radial size, making it the 15-inch-wheel version within the lineup. Tire choice here comes down to confirming the car still wears its correct wheel diameter and then selecting the sidewall presentation that best suits the car.
The 2001 Nissan Maxima GXE w/Performance Pkg. moves to a 215/55R16 radial tire. That makes wheel verification especially important on a used car, since a GXE without the performance package uses a different 15-inch size.
The 2001 Nissan Maxima SE can use either 215/55R16 or 225/50R17, depending on the wheel package on the car. Tire selection starts with confirming whether the car has 16-inch or 17-inch wheels, then narrowing the choice by desired tire style and series.
The 2001 Nissan Maxima SE 20th Anniversary Edition uses the 225/50R17 radial size. That places it with the 17-inch fitment group, where the available choices lean toward blackwall performance-style tires rather than decorative sidewall treatments.
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 2001 Nissan Maxima Tires for Sale
Available 2001 Nissan Maxima tire choices vary by size and character, with BFGoodrich, American Classic, and Nitto represented. Depending on the wheel package, the product grid includes blackwall performance radials, redline options, and wide whitewall styles across Silvertown Radial, Asymmetrical Tread, g-Force, and NT555 G2 series.
Common 2001 Nissan Maxima tire questions usually come down to trim-specific size fitment, wheel diameter, sidewall style, and how to choose among the available radial options. The answers below focus on the practical checks that matter before putting the car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2001 Nissan Maxima?
A 2001 Nissan Maxima can use 205/65R15, 215/55R16, or 225/50R17, depending on the exact sub-model and wheel package. All three are radial tire sizes, but they do not serve the same trim levels or the same rim diameters.
The first check is the actual wheel diameter on the car, since 15-inch, 16-inch, and 17-inch wheels each require their matching tire size. After that, confirm the trim because a GXE, GLE, SE, or anniversary model may not use the same setup, and a previous owner may also have changed the wheels.
What size rim does a 2001 Nissan Maxima use?
The 2001 Nissan Maxima uses three rim diameters across the lineup: 15-inch, 16-inch, and 17-inch. The 205/65R15 size belongs to a 15-inch rim, 215/55R16 belongs to a 16-inch rim, and 225/50R17 belongs to a 17-inch rim.
That means tire selection starts at the wheel, not just the model name on the trunk. It is smart to measure or read the wheel markings before replacing tires, especially on older cars that may have been upgraded from their original wheel package or moved from one Maxima trim specification to another.
Why does the 2001 Nissan Maxima have more than one tire size?
The 2001 Nissan Maxima has more than one tire size because different sub-models and wheel packages used different rim diameters. The lineup spans 15-inch, 16-inch, and 17-inch fitments, so the correct tire size follows the exact trim and wheel setup rather than the model name alone.
This matters most on the SE, which can use either 215/55R16 or 225/50R17. A replacement tire should match the wheel actually on the car, so trim identification, wheel inspection, and a quick check of the existing tire sidewall are the safest way to avoid ordering the right size for the wrong Maxima configuration.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 2001 Nissan Maxima?
Start with the correct size for the exact 2001 Nissan Maxima trim and wheel diameter: 205/65R15, 215/55R16, or 225/50R17. After that, compare tire character, sidewall style, and the product's rim-width specification where it is provided, because those details shape both appearance and compatibility.
A buyer choosing for a GXE may be looking at redline or wide whitewall options in 205/65R15, while a 17-inch SE application leans toward blackwall performance-oriented tires. Load figures and product weight can also help frame the comparison, but the tire still needs to match the car's actual wheel and intended use.
What sidewall styles are available for 2001 Nissan Maxima tires?
Sidewall choices for the 2001 Nissan Maxima include blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall, depending on the tire size. Blackwall options appear in the 215/55R16 and 225/50R17 sizes, while redline and wide whitewall treatments are available in both 205/65R15 and 215/55R16.
That gives the Maxima a wider visual range than many modern sedans, from a plain contemporary look to something far more distinctive. The right choice depends on the wheel size on the car and the style you want, since not every sidewall treatment is offered in every Maxima tire size.
What brands offer tires for the 2001 Nissan Maxima?
Tires for the 2001 Nissan Maxima are available from BFGoodrich, American Classic, and Nitto across the supported sizes. Brand availability depends on the wheel and tire package, so the mix is different in 15-inch, 16-inch, and 17-inch applications.
BFGoodrich appears across multiple sizes and series, American Classic is represented in 215/55R16 with redline and wide whitewall styling, and Nitto appears in 225/50R17. The practical approach is to narrow the search by exact size first, then compare the brand options that remain within that fitment.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2001 Nissan Maxima?
A period-style 2001 Nissan Maxima usually starts with keeping the correct trim-specific size and wheel diameter, then choosing a sidewall treatment that supports the look you want. Depending on size, that can mean a blackwall tire for a more restrained presentation or a redline or wide whitewall for a more stylized appearance.
The main goal is to avoid forcing an appearance choice onto the wrong wheel package. A GXE on 15-inch wheels and a 17-inch SE do not draw from the same product mix, so matching the correct size first keeps the car visually coherent while preserving proper fitment fundamentals.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2001 Nissan Maxima?
On the 2001 Nissan Maxima, the primary fitments are radial, so the biggest appearance difference comes less from construction changes and more from sidewall treatment and tread style within radial offerings. Blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall options can each change the car's visual character noticeably.
A cleaner contemporary look usually points toward blackwall tires, while redline or wide whitewall choices create a more custom or nostalgic presentation. Since this Maxima is recent enough that wheel package and trim identity still shape the look strongly, selecting the correct size remains the first appearance decision.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2001 Nissan Maxima?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2001 Nissan Maxima. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension lowering, and body or brake modifications can all change the amount of room available for the tire, even when the nominal tire size matches one used somewhere in the Maxima lineup.
That is especially important on a car like this because the factory fitments already span 15-inch, 16-inch, and 17-inch wheel packages. A modified Maxima should be checked for steering clearance, fender clearance, and wheel compatibility before replacing tires based only on trim name or what another owner's car happens to use.
What should I inspect before driving a 2001 Nissan Maxima on new tires?
Before driving a 2001 Nissan Maxima on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and condition, confirm the tire size matches the trim and wheel package, and make sure the tires are inflated properly. It is also wise to look over suspension and steering components for looseness or obvious wear.
A short test drive should include checking for rubbing, vibration, and any pull that suggests an alignment or wheel issue. On an older sedan, uneven wear patterns, damaged wheels, or tired suspension parts can show up quickly after a tire change, so a careful first inspection helps protect both the tires and the car.
How often should tires on a 2001 Nissan Maxima be inspected?
Tires on a 2001 Nissan Maxima should be inspected regularly, not just when they look low or begin to vibrate. A quick visual check for cuts, cracking, bulges, uneven wear, and air loss is smart before normal driving, and a closer inspection should be part of routine maintenance.
Cars that sit for long periods deserve extra attention because age and storage conditions can matter as much as mileage. Pressure should be checked with a gauge, and any Maxima that has been parked for a while should also be examined for flat spotting, wheel corrosion, and signs that an old alignment problem is still present.
