2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse Tires

The 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse uses either 225/50R17 or 235/45R18, depending on the sub-model. The GS and GT use 225/50R17, while the GT w/Premium Sport Pkg. uses 235/45R18. Both are radial sizes, but they are tied to different wheel diameters, so they are not interchangeable as primary fitments without also changing wheels.

The practical step is to confirm the exact trim and then verify the wheel diameter currently on the car. A previous owner may have changed wheels, so the tire already mounted on the car is not always the best guide. Matching the tire size to the proper 17-inch or 18-inch wheel is the starting point before comparing brands or tread styles.

A 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse uses either a 17-inch or 18-inch rim, depending on the sub-model. The 225/50R17 fitment uses a 17-inch rim, and the 235/45R18 fitment uses an 18-inch rim. Rim diameter is built into the tire size itself, so the last number in each size is a direct match to the wheel diameter.

Wheel diameter should be confirmed before ordering tires, especially on a sporty coupe that may have seen aftermarket wheel changes. Wheel width also matters once the correct diameter is known, since available tires in these sizes carry specific rim-width ranges. That extra check helps avoid mounting a correct-size tire on a wheel that is not well matched to it.

No, the 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse does not use one tire size across every sub-model. The GS and GT share the 225/50R17 radial size, but the GT w/Premium Sport Pkg. uses 235/45R18. That makes trim identification important, because the fitment difference also changes the wheel diameter from 17 inches to 18 inches.

That variation means tire selection should begin with the exact version of the car, not just the model name on the badge. It is also smart to confirm the current wheels, since appearance packages and later modifications can complicate what is on the car now. Once the sub-model and wheel diameter are confirmed, the correct tire choices narrow quickly.

Start with the correct primary size for the car's trim, because the 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse uses either 225/50R17 or 235/45R18. Both fitments are radial and performance-oriented, so the next comparison points are brand, tire series, rim-width compatibility, and load-capacity details where they are stated. Those factors shape how closely a given tire matches the car's wheel setup and intended use.

A GS or GT owner should stay focused on 17-inch fitment choices, while a GT w/Premium Sport Pkg. owner should compare 18-inch options. It also helps to think about how the car is driven, whether that means regular street use, fair-weather cruising, or a more aggressive driving style. Once size and wheel compatibility are confirmed, the remaining decision becomes more straightforward.

Tires for the 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse are available from BFGoodrich and Nitto in the applicable sizes. The 225/50R17 fitment includes BFGoodrich and Nitto options, while the 235/45R18 fitment includes BFGoodrich offerings. Within those brand choices, the available products fall into several performance-oriented radial series rather than one uniform tire style.

Brand choice should be considered alongside the exact size and wheel setup, not by name alone. One size may offer a broader mix of series than the other, and that can affect which tires are available for your specific trim. Comparing brand options makes the most sense after confirming whether the Eclipse uses the 17-inch or 18-inch fitment.

The 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse has available tire series that include BFGoodrich g-Force Comp 2 AS, BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Comp 2, BFGoodrich g-Force Phenom T/A, and Nitto NT555 G2, depending on size. These are all radial blackwall choices, but they are spread across the two primary Eclipse fitments rather than appearing in every size equally.

Series names are useful because they help separate one product's character from another when multiple tires share the same size. A 225/50R17 Eclipse owner can compare BFGoodrich and Nitto series, while a 235/45R18 owner is comparing among BFGoodrich series within that larger-wheel fitment. The right comparison always starts with the correct trim-specific tire size.

A period-style 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse tire choice starts with using the proper primary fitment for the exact trim: 225/50R17 for GS and GT, or 235/45R18 for GT w/Premium Sport Pkg. Since the available options are modern blackwall radials, the appearance stays in line with the Eclipse's contemporary sport-compact era rather than shifting toward a vintage sidewall treatment.

The deciding factors are usually wheel diameter, overall stance, and whether the car is being kept close to its original visual presentation. A car on factory-style 17-inch or 18-inch wheels generally looks most cohesive when the correct trim-specific size is maintained. For a stricter restoration goal, vehicle-specific literature and marque references can help confirm the intended wheel-and-tire presentation.

For the 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse, tire construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are radial. That means appearance differences come less from bias-ply versus radial choice and more from keeping the proper size, wheel diameter, and modern blackwall presentation that suits the car's mid-2000s design language.

A restored Eclipse can look noticeably off if the tire profile or wheel diameter departs too far from the trim-specific setup. Maintaining 225/50R17 on GS and GT models or 235/45R18 on the GT w/Premium Sport Pkg. helps preserve the intended proportions. Tread style may vary by product series, but the biggest visual factor is staying with the correct fitment baseline.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse even when the car started with the correct size. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, lowering, altered offsets, or body modifications can change how a 225/50R17 or 235/45R18 tire sits in the wheel opening and how much clearance is available during steering and suspension movement.

That is why the current setup should be checked rather than assuming the car still follows stock dimensions. Wheel diameter is only one part of the picture; wheel width and offset matter too. A careful look at fender clearance, inner clearance, and turning clearance helps prevent problems before a new set of tires is mounted and driven.

Before driving a 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the trim and wheel diameter, and make sure inflation pressure is set appropriately for the installed tires. It is also smart to look over suspension and steering components, because worn parts can affect how a fresh set of tires behaves on the road.

A short post-installation check is equally important. Watch for rubbing at full steering lock, listen for unusual noises, and recheck air pressure after the first drives. Since this Eclipse uses trim-specific 17-inch and 18-inch fitments, confirming the mounted size against the actual wheel on the car is one of the most useful steps before any longer road use.

Before a longer drive in a 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse, confirm that the car is on the correct tire size for its trim, inspect tread and sidewalls, and check for cuts, bulges, cracking, or uneven wear. Air pressure should also be checked cold, and the wheels should be examined for visible damage or anything that suggests an improper previous installation.

A longer trip is also a good reason to look beyond the tires themselves. Steering response, alignment condition, brake feel, and suspension noise can all affect how the car treats its tires over distance. On a coupe like the Eclipse, small fitment issues can become more obvious at highway speed, so a careful pre-drive inspection helps catch problems early.