The 2004 Acura NSX represents the late, highly refined phase of Honda and Acura’s aluminum mid-engine sports car, a machine known for precision, balance, and everyday drivability wrapped in exotic-car proportions. Tire fitment matters on an NSX because the car uses a staggered setup rather than one size at all four corners. Front fitment is 215/40R17 and rear fitment is 255/40R17, both in radial construction on 17-inch wheels. Available choices center on modern blackwall performance radials, with variation by brand, tire series, and rim-width compatibility. For an NSX owner, the real priority is preserving the intended front-to-rear balance while confirming the actual wheel setup before replacement.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2004 Acura NSX
The 2004 Acura NSX uses two primary tire sizes, not one, because the car carries a staggered front-and-rear setup on 17-inch wheels. The first step is confirming whether you are replacing the front 215/40R17 or the rear 255/40R17, since each position uses a different width and plays a different role in the car’s overall balance and handling feel.
215/40R17 is a metric radial size in which 215 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, 40 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 17 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 2004 Acura NSX, this is the front tire size, making it a key part of steering response and front-end fitment. Its role is different from the wider rear tire, so it should be selected as a front-position size rather than treated as a universal four-corner fitment. The practical focus is matching the correct front size to the actual wheel and maintaining the intended staggered setup.
255/40R17 is a metric radial size with a 255-millimeter nominal section width, a 40-series profile, and a 17-inch rim diameter. On the 2004 Acura NSX, this is the rear tire size, giving the car a noticeably wider rear footprint than the front. Available choices include blackwall radials from BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Vredestein across series such as g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Comp 2 AS, NT555 G2, and Sprint Plus. The main reason to evaluate this size carefully is to keep rear fitment aligned with wheel width, load capability, and the NSX’s intended front-to-rear tire relationship.
Sub-model fitment on the 2004 Acura NSX is straightforward in one sense and important in another: the distinction is by axle position rather than by multiple trim-specific tire packages. Checking whether the tire is for the front or rear of the car matters first, because the NSX uses different sizes at each end.
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2004 Acura NSX Base Front
The 2004 Acura NSX Base Front uses the narrower front tire size in radial construction on a 17-inch wheel. That makes front-tire selection a matter of maintaining the proper staggered setup and confirming the actual front wheel dimensions before replacement.
The 2004 Acura NSX Base Rear uses the wider rear tire size in radial construction on a 17-inch wheel. Rear-tire selection should focus on the correct width range for the wheel and preserving the handling balance intended by the staggered NSX layout.
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 2004 Acura NSX Tires for Sale
Available 255/40R17 choices for the 2004 Acura NSX focus on blackwall radial performance tires from BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Vredestein. The product grid is most useful for comparing tire series, rear-wheel rim-width compatibility, weight, and load-capacity details within the correct rear size.
Tire questions for the 2004 Acura NSX usually center on its staggered 17-inch fitment, front-versus-rear sizing, rear tire choices, and the checks worth making before installing fresh tires on a mid-engine sports car.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2004 Acura NSX?
The 2004 Acura NSX uses a staggered tire setup with 215/40R17 in the front and 255/40R17 in the rear. Both are radial sizes mounted on 17-inch wheels, so the car does not use one universal size at all four corners.
That staggered arrangement is important to the NSX’s overall balance, so the first step is identifying whether the tire being replaced is on the front or rear axle. It is also smart to confirm the actual wheel setup on the car, especially if a previous owner changed wheels or altered the suspension.
What size rim does a 2004 Acura NSX use?
The 2004 Acura NSX uses 17-inch rims with both of its primary tire sizes. The front 215/40R17 and the rear 255/40R17 are both built around a 17-inch wheel diameter, even though the tire widths differ between the two positions.
Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture on an NSX, since front and rear widths are not the same. A 17-inch wheel can still vary in width, and that matters most at the rear, where the available 255/40R17 products call for specific rim-width ranges that should match the wheel actually on the car.
Why does the 2004 Acura NSX have more than one tire size?
The 2004 Acura NSX has more than one tire size because it uses a staggered setup, with a narrower 215/40R17 tire in front and a wider 255/40R17 tire in the rear. That layout is typical of performance cars that balance steering precision at the front with added rear traction.
For tire replacement, that means position matters as much as size. Mixing up the front and rear fitments, or trying to treat the NSX like a same-size four-corner application, can upset the look and balance of the car, so each axle should be matched to its proper size and wheel dimensions.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 255/40R17 tire for a 2004 Acura NSX?
Start with the correct rear size, since 255/40R17 is the rear fitment for the 2004 Acura NSX. From there, compare radial construction, rim-width compatibility, load-capacity details where stated, tire weight, and the intended character of each series rather than focusing on size alone.
The available rear choices are all blackwall radials, but they differ by brand and series, including BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Vredestein offerings. Matching the tire to the rear wheel width is especially important on an NSX, and it helps to keep the car’s front-to-rear tire relationship consistent rather than selecting the rear tire in isolation.
What sidewall styles are available for 2004 Acura NSX tires?
The available 255/40R17 rear tire options for the 2004 Acura NSX use a blackwall sidewall style. That gives the car a clean, contemporary performance look rather than a whitewall, redline, or raised white letter presentation.
On a car like the NSX, sidewall appearance is usually a secondary decision behind getting the correct staggered size and wheel match. Once the fitment is right, blackwall construction keeps the visual emphasis on the car’s modern shape and wheel design, which suits the NSX’s late-model sports-car character well.
What brands offer tires for the 2004 Acura NSX?
Current 255/40R17 rear tire choices for the 2004 Acura NSX include BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Vredestein. Within those brands, the available series include g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Comp 2 AS, NT555 G2, and Sprint Plus.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It makes more sense to compare the correct rear size, the stated rim-width range, load figures where shown, and the character of each tire series against how the car is used, while still keeping the front tire size and overall staggered setup in mind.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2004 Acura NSX?
A period-style approach for a 2004 Acura NSX starts with preserving the original staggered sizing concept: 215/40R17 in front and 255/40R17 in the rear. Because the NSX is already a modern performance car by collector standards, the most appropriate visual direction is usually a proper metric radial rather than a vintage-style construction.
Appearance should still follow fitment discipline. Keeping the correct front-to-rear size relationship, staying with 17-inch radial fitment, and choosing a clean blackwall presentation all support the NSX’s original-era look without making unsupported claims about exact factory branding or specific original tire series.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2004 Acura NSX restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 2004 Acura NSX restoration because the car’s stance, wheel-to-fender relationship, and handling balance all depend on the proper staggered arrangement. Using the right front and rear sizes helps the finished car look and drive in a way that suits its design.
A restoration-minded owner should verify wheel diameter, wheel width, and any changes made during the car’s life before selecting replacement tires. When exact originality is the goal, marque-specific references and period Acura documentation are worth consulting, since appearance details can matter just as much as the size itself.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2004 Acura NSX?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2004 Acura NSX even when the tire size appears correct on paper. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, and alignment changes can all influence how a 215/40R17 front or 255/40R17 rear tire sits and clears the car.
The safest approach is to verify the wheel diameter and width actually on the vehicle, then check clearance at full steering lock and through suspension travel. That is especially important on a low, mid-engine sports car where small changes in wheel and tire dimensions can have a noticeable effect on clearance.
What should I inspect before driving a 2004 Acura NSX on new tires?
Before driving a 2004 Acura NSX on new tires, inspect the wheel condition, confirm that the front and rear sizes are mounted in the correct positions, and check inflation pressure carefully. It also helps to make sure there is no visible interference with suspension components, fender liners, or bodywork.
A fresh tire installation is also a good time to inspect the rest of the setup for uneven wear patterns, air loss, or signs of alignment trouble. Since the NSX uses a staggered layout, a final front-to-rear size check is worthwhile before road use so the car’s handling balance starts from the right foundation.
How often should tires on a 2004 Acura NSX be inspected?
Tires on a 2004 Acura NSX should be inspected regularly, not just when tread looks low. A collector or fair-weather sports car can spend long periods parked, so pressure loss, age-related cracking, flat spotting, cuts, and sidewall damage deserve attention even when annual mileage is limited.
A quick visual check before each drive is a sensible habit, with a more thorough inspection at routine service intervals and before longer trips. Looking at both front and rear tires separately matters on an NSX because the sizes differ, and irregular wear on either axle can point to alignment or suspension issues.
