The 2009 Mazda 6 marked a larger, more mature chapter for Mazda’s midsize sedan, blending sharper styling with the responsive road manners that helped separate it from more ordinary family cars of the period. That balance of comfort and handling makes tire selection especially important on this model. Depending on sub-model, the 2009 Mazda 6 uses one of three radial sizes: 205/65R16, 215/55R17, or 235/45R18. The choice is less about vintage-style construction and more about matching the correct trim, wheel diameter, and the driving character you want to preserve. Before choosing a tire, confirm the exact sub-model and wheel setup already on the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2009 Mazda 6
The 2009 Mazda 6 uses three different primary tire sizes, and they vary by sub-model and wheel diameter. The first step is identifying the exact trim and confirming whether the car has a 16-inch, 17-inch, or 18-inch wheel, since each size is tied to a different factory wheel package. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to selecting the right radial tire within that size for the car’s intended use and feel.
235/45R18 is a metric radial size in which 235 is the section width in millimeters, 45 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 18 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 2009 Mazda 6, this size belongs to trims equipped with the 18-inch wheel package and gives the car its most aggressive original fitment within this group. Available choices in this size are centered on BFGoodrich blackwall performance-oriented series, including g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, and g-Force Phenom T/A. This size should be selected only after confirming the car still carries the correct 18-inch wheels.
215/55R17 is a metric radial size where 215 represents section width in millimeters, 55 is the aspect ratio, R means radial, and 17 designates a 17-inch rim. This size serves several 2009 Mazda 6 sub-models and sits between the 16-inch and 18-inch fitments in both wheel diameter and tire profile. BFGoodrich offers blackwall options in this size through the g-Force Comp 2 AS and g-Force Phenom T/A lines. It is the right choice for owners who have confirmed a 17-inch wheel setup and want to stay with the proper trim-specific fitment.
205/65R16 is a metric radial size with a 205-millimeter section width, a 65-series profile, radial construction, and fitment on a 16-inch wheel. On the 2009 Mazda 6, this size is used on specific i-series sub-models equipped with the smaller factory wheel package. Its dimensions keep overall tire height close to the other Mazda 6 fitments, but the wheel diameter and tire profile are distinct enough that wheel confirmation matters before purchase. This size makes the most sense when the car remains on its original 16-inch setup or another wheel package with matching specifications.
Tire fitment on the 2009 Mazda 6 varies by sub-model, so trim identification matters before choosing a size. Several versions share the same radial tire size, but the model range spans 16-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch wheel packages.
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2009 Mazda 6 S Grand Touring
The 2009 Mazda 6 S Grand Touring uses the 235/45R18 radial size. That makes wheel confirmation especially important, since this trim’s tire choice belongs to the 18-inch setup and should be matched to the car’s current wheel package before selecting among available blackwall options.
The 2009 Mazda 6 S Sport uses the 215/55R17 radial size. Tire selection here centers on staying with the correct 17-inch fitment and then comparing the available BFGoodrich choices within that size for the kind of road feel and use the car sees.
The 2009 Mazda 6 S Touring also uses the 235/45R18 radial size. Owners shopping this trim should focus first on confirming the 18-inch wheel package remains in place, then compare the available performance-oriented blackwall tires offered in that fitment.
The 2009 Mazda 6 i Grand Touring uses the 215/55R17 radial size. That places it with the 17-inch wheel group, so the practical next step is matching that wheel diameter and then selecting the tire series that best suits the car’s use and condition.
The 2009 Mazda 6 i Sport uses the 205/65R16 radial size. Buyers should treat this as a trim-specific 16-inch fitment and verify that the car has not been changed to a different wheel diameter before choosing replacement tires.
The 2009 Mazda 6 i Sport SV uses the 205/65R16 radial size. That means replacement shopping should start with confirmation of the 16-inch wheel setup, especially on cars that may have received aftermarket wheels or later trim take-offs.
The 2009 Mazda 6 i Touring uses the 215/55R17 radial size. For this trim, the key decision is not construction type but confirming the 17-inch wheel package and then comparing the available blackwall radial series in the proper size.
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 2009 Mazda 6 Tires for Sale
Available product choices for the 2009 Mazda 6 focus on the 17-inch and 18-inch fitments, with BFGoodrich blackwall radial tires offered across g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, and g-Force Phenom T/A series. Comparing wheel-width compatibility, tire series, weight, and load figures can help narrow the right option.
Common questions for the 2009 Mazda 6 usually center on trim-specific tire size, wheel diameter, available radial choices, and what to inspect before putting the car back into regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2009 Mazda 6?
The 2009 Mazda 6 uses three different tire sizes depending on sub-model: 205/65R16, 215/55R17, and 235/45R18. All three are radial sizes, and each one matches a different wheel diameter, so the correct answer depends on the exact trim and wheel package on the car.
The safest way to narrow it down is to confirm both the sub-model and the wheel diameter already on the vehicle. A Mazda 6 that has been fitted with different wheels over time may no longer match its original trim-based setup, so checking the current wheel and tire markings before replacement helps avoid ordering the wrong size.
What size rim does a 2009 Mazda 6 use?
A 2009 Mazda 6 can use a 16-inch, 17-inch, or 18-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The 205/65R16 size fits a 16-inch rim, 215/55R17 fits a 17-inch rim, and 235/45R18 fits an 18-inch rim.
Rim diameter is the first fitment detail to verify because a tire must match the wheel’s bead seat diameter exactly. Once the wheel diameter is confirmed, it also helps to compare wheel width against the tire’s approved rim-width range, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels or wheels taken from another Mazda 6 trim.
Why does the 2009 Mazda 6 have more than one tire size?
The 2009 Mazda 6 has more than one tire size because different sub-models were equipped with different wheel packages. i Sport and i Sport SV use 205/65R16, several mid-level trims use 215/55R17, and S Grand Touring plus S Touring use 235/45R18.
That means tire shopping starts with trim and wheel confirmation rather than assuming every Mazda 6 uses the same replacement size. The three sizes stay fairly close in overall height, but they are not interchangeable by default because the wheel diameter changes from one fitment to the next.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 2009 Mazda 6?
Start with the correct trim-specific size and wheel diameter, since the 2009 Mazda 6 uses 16-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch fitments depending on sub-model. After size is confirmed, compare radial construction details such as tire series, rim-width compatibility, weight, and any stated load figure that may matter for the way the car is driven.
A practical choice also depends on how the car is used. A daily-driven sedan may call for a different feel than a Mazda 6 kept for occasional spirited road use, so it helps to weigh sidewall style, performance-oriented series names, and wheel-width match instead of choosing by size alone.
What brands offer tires for the 2009 Mazda 6?
The available tires for this 2009 Mazda 6 fitment group come from BFGoodrich. Depending on size, the selections include g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, and g-Force Phenom T/A radial options, with the visible sidewall treatment in these products being blackwall.
Brand is only one part of the decision, though. It still makes sense to compare the specific series offered in your exact size, along with rim-width range, load figure where stated, and the wheel diameter on the car, because the 17-inch and 18-inch Mazda 6 fitments do not use the same product mix.
What tire series are available for the 2009 Mazda 6?
The available tire series for the supported 2009 Mazda 6 product range include BFGoodrich g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, and g-Force Phenom T/A. The 17-inch fitment is offered in g-Force Comp 2 AS and g-Force Phenom T/A, while the 18-inch fitment adds g-Force Sport Comp 2.
Series names help separate the product choices within the same basic size, but they should be compared alongside the tire’s approved rim-width range and any stated weight or load figure. Choosing by series without first confirming the car’s exact wheel diameter can still lead to the wrong fitment.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2009 Mazda 6?
A period-style 2009 Mazda 6 starts with the correct original-size format for the exact sub-model, since this car belongs to a modern metric radial era rather than a vintage bias-ply one. That means preserving the proper 205/65R16, 215/55R17, or 235/45R18 fitment is more important than searching for an older-style construction.
Appearance on this model is influenced mostly by wheel size and the tire’s sidewall presentation. The available products shown here are blackwall radials, so the best period-appropriate result comes from matching the proper trim-specific size and wheel diameter, then keeping the car’s stance and proportions consistent with its original setup.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2009 Mazda 6 restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 2009 Mazda 6 restoration because the car’s wheel-and-tire proportions change noticeably between the 16-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch packages. Using the proper size for the sub-model helps preserve the intended balance of ride height, sidewall profile, and overall visual stance.
Owners pursuing a highly accurate restoration should confirm the car’s original trim and wheel package before replacing tires. If originality is especially important, it is wise to compare the car against build information, window sticker records, or marque-specific references so the wheel diameter and tire size align with how that individual car was equipped.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2009 Mazda 6?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2009 Mazda 6. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, different offsets, lowered suspension, or body alterations can all change how a 205/65R16, 215/55R17, or 235/45R18 tire sits in the wheelwell and how much clearance remains.
A car that no longer has its original wheel setup should be checked for wheel diameter, width, and clearance at the fender and steering components before replacement tires are chosen. Even when the tire size looks close on paper, altered suspension or non-stock wheels can make fitment decisions more sensitive than the factory arrangement.
What should I inspect before driving a 2009 Mazda 6 on new tires?
Before driving a 2009 Mazda 6 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the wheel diameter matches the tire size, and check that the tires are mounted and inflated correctly. It is also worth looking over suspension and steering components so the new tires are not immediately affected by worn hardware or alignment problems.
A short road test should be followed by another visual check for rubbing, unusual air loss, or uneven seating at the bead. Cars that have sat for long periods deserve extra attention, since age-related issues such as dry suspension bushings or old valve components can show up quickly once the vehicle is back in use.
How often should tires on a 2009 Mazda 6 be inspected?
Tires on a 2009 Mazda 6 should be inspected regularly, with a quick visual check before routine driving and a more careful inspection at service intervals or before longer trips. The main points to watch are tread condition, uneven wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and any signs of slow air loss.
Inspection matters even more on a car that sees irregular use, because age and storage conditions can affect tires long before the tread appears worn out. Keeping pressures correct and catching wear patterns early can also help reveal alignment, suspension, or wheel issues before they shorten the life of a new set.
