The 2011 Nissan GT-R sits firmly in the modern high-performance era, carrying the GT-R name into a turbocharged, all-wheel-drive platform that became known for serious speed and everyday drivability. It is also a car where tire fitment is part of the engineering story, not an afterthought. This GT-R uses a staggered radial setup with 255/40R20 in front and 285/35R20 in the rear, both on 20-inch rims. Available choices include blackwall, raised white letter, and redline treatments depending on size, along with multiple tire series. The key is preserving the correct front-to-rear balance while matching the tire choice to appearance goals, wheel specifications, and real road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2011 Nissan GT-R
The 2011 Nissan GT-R uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference is positional rather than optional: 255/40R20 for the front and 285/35R20 for the rear. Both are radial tires on 20-inch rims, so the first step is confirming whether you are replacing the front pair or the rear pair before comparing brands, sidewall treatments, and product specifications.
Fit(s): Premium Front and Premium w/Cold Weather Pkg. Front
Construction: Radial|Rim: 20 in
255/40R20 is a metric radial size in which 255 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, 40 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 20 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 2011 Nissan GT-R, this size serves the front position and is part of the car's staggered setup. Available choices in this size focus on a blackwall presentation, with BFGoodrich offering the g-Force Phenom T/A series. Selecting this front size correctly matters because the GT-R depends on the intended front-to-rear tire relationship for proper fitment and overall balance.
Fit(s): Premium Rear and Premium w/Cold Weather Pkg. Rear
Construction: Radial|Rim: 20 in
285/35R20 is a metric radial size where 285 indicates nominal section width in millimeters, 35 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 20 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 2011 Nissan GT-R, this is the rear tire size, giving the car its wider back tire within the staggered arrangement. Rear tire choices are broader here, including BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac options with blackwall, raised white letter, and redline sidewall styles across different series. This is the size to evaluate when replacing the rear pair and comparing appearance as well as wheel-width compatibility.
Fitment across the covered 2011 Nissan GT-R sub-models remains straightforward because each uses the same staggered front and rear tire arrangement. Checking the exact front or rear position still matters, since the tire sizes are different even when the sub-model itself does not change the overall setup.
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2011 Nissan GT-R Premium Front
The 2011 Nissan GT-R Premium Front uses the front portion of the staggered setup, with a 255/40R20 radial tire on a 20-inch rim. Tire selection here centers on maintaining the correct front size while comparing the available series and wheel-width compatibility for the intended setup.
The 2011 Nissan GT-R Premium Rear uses the wider rear fitment, a 285/35R20 radial on a 20-inch rim. This is where the broadest product choice appears, so the decision shifts toward sidewall style, tire series, and making sure the wheel matches the tire's intended fitment range.
2011 Nissan GT-R Premium w/Cold Weather Pkg. Front
The 2011 Nissan GT-R Premium w/Cold Weather Pkg. Front keeps the same 255/40R20 radial front tire size as the standard Premium configuration. That makes the front tire decision mainly about selecting the right product within the correct size rather than sorting through multiple front fitments.
The 2011 Nissan GT-R Premium w/Cold Weather Pkg. Rear uses the same 285/35R20 radial rear tire size as the other covered configuration. Choosing among rear tires therefore comes down to the available series, sidewall appearance, and confirming the actual wheel setup on the car.
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 2011 Nissan GT-R Tires for Sale
Available 2011 Nissan GT-R tire choices center on radial 20-inch fitments from BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac. The rear 285/35R20 size offers the widest variety, including blackwall, raised white letter, and redline styles across g-Force, NT555 G2, and Street Pro III series.
Common 2011 Nissan GT-R tire questions usually come down to the staggered front and rear sizing, 20-inch rim fitment, available radial choices, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a high-performance car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2011 Nissan GT-R?
The 2011 Nissan GT-R uses a staggered tire setup with 255/40R20 in front and 285/35R20 in the rear. Both are radial tires mounted on 20-inch rims, and the same front and rear sizing applies to the covered Premium and Premium w/Cold Weather Pkg. configurations.
That means there is not one universal size for all four corners. Tire selection starts with identifying whether the replacement is for the front axle or the rear axle, then confirming the actual wheel setup on the car if it has aftermarket wheels or previous tire changes.
What size rim does a 2011 Nissan GT-R use?
The covered tire fitments for the 2011 Nissan GT-R use 20-inch rims front and rear. The front tire size is 255/40R20 and the rear tire size is 285/35R20, so both primary fitments are built around the same rim diameter.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a GT-R. Width still matters, especially on the wider rear size, so it is smart to confirm the actual wheel width and make sure the tire selected matches the wheel and maintains proper clearance at both suspension and body points.
Do all 2011 Nissan GT-R sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 2011 Nissan GT-R sub-models share the same staggered arrangement rather than using different overall fitments. Premium Front and Premium w/Cold Weather Pkg. Front use 255/40R20, while the matching rear positions use 285/35R20.
That consistency simplifies size selection, but front-versus-rear position still has to be respected. A GT-R owner replacing tires should confirm whether the car is being fitted as a full set or by axle, and should avoid treating the front and rear sizes as interchangeable just because the rim diameter is the same.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 255/40R20 or 285/35R20 tire for a 2011 Nissan GT-R?
Start with the correct axle position, since the 2011 Nissan GT-R uses 255/40R20 in front and 285/35R20 in the rear. After that, compare construction, sidewall style, tire series, wheel-width compatibility, and product details such as load specification where those figures are available.
A useful choice depends on how the car is used and how the owner wants it to look. Some buyers want a straightforward blackwall performance presentation, while others may prefer a more distinctive rear sidewall treatment such as raised white letter or redline without changing the required rear size.
What sidewall styles are available for 2011 Nissan GT-R tires?
Sidewall choices for the 2011 Nissan GT-R include blackwall, raised white letter, and redline, depending on tire size. The front 255/40R20 fitment is represented by a blackwall option, while the rear 285/35R20 size has blackwall, RWL, and redline offerings.
That makes sidewall style mainly a rear-tire appearance decision on this application. Owners who want a more understated look can stay with blackwall, while those aiming for a more expressive presentation can compare RWL or redline rear options and still keep the correct staggered sizing in place.
What brands offer tires for the 2011 Nissan GT-R?
Available tire brands for the 2011 Nissan GT-R include BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac. BFGoodrich appears in both the front and rear sizes, while Nitto and Pro-Trac are represented in the rear 285/35R20 size through different tire series and sidewall treatments.
Brand choice should be viewed as part of the overall fitment decision, not as a shortcut to the right answer. It helps to compare which brand offers the needed front or rear size, whether the sidewall style matches the car's look, and whether the wheel dimensions line up with the tire being considered.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2011 Nissan GT-R?
A period-style 2011 Nissan GT-R still starts with the correct staggered sizes: 255/40R20 in front and 285/35R20 in the rear. From there, the visual direction comes from the tire series and sidewall treatment, with blackwall offering the most understated presentation and some rear options adding a more expressive look.
Because this is a modern performance car, period-style usually means staying faithful to the overall stance and tire proportions rather than chasing a vintage construction type. Keeping the correct front-to-rear relationship matters more than decorative variation alone, especially if the car is still driven regularly.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2011 Nissan GT-R?
Construction is straightforward on the 2011 Nissan GT-R because the primary fitments are radial tires in both front and rear sizes. That means the appearance differences come less from bias-ply-versus-radial character and more from the tire's profile, tread family, and sidewall treatment.
A restoration-minded owner will usually get the most convincing result by preserving the intended staggered stance and selecting a sidewall style that suits the car's presentation. On this application, blackwall keeps the look restrained, while certain rear options add visual emphasis without changing the basic radial fitment format.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2011 Nissan GT-R?
Yes. The 2011 Nissan GT-R already uses a staggered 20-inch setup, so wheel changes, altered offsets, suspension lowering, or previous tire substitutions can affect how a 255/40R20 front or 285/35R20 rear tire sits in the car.
That is why the actual car should be checked before replacement, especially if it has aftermarket wheels or has changed hands before. Confirm wheel width, inspect clearance at full steering lock and suspension movement, and make sure the front and rear positions have not been mixed with nonstandard sizing.
What should I inspect before driving a 2011 Nissan GT-R on new tires?
Before road use, inspect tire pressure, bead seating, wheel condition, valve stems, and overall clearance front and rear. A 2011 Nissan GT-R places different tire sizes at each axle, so it also helps to confirm that 255/40R20 tires are on the front and 285/35R20 tires are on the rear.
A second check after initial driving is worthwhile on a high-performance car. Look for any sign of rubbing, unusual wear, vibration, or air loss, and verify that the wheel hardware and alignment condition are consistent with the new tires rather than assuming the previous setup was correct.
How often should tires on a 2011 Nissan GT-R be inspected?
Tires on a 2011 Nissan GT-R should be inspected regularly, not only at major service intervals. A visual check for tread wear, cuts, punctures, sidewall damage, and pressure loss is smart before drives, especially on a car that may see bursts of spirited use or longer periods of storage.
Collector-minded ownership can make age and condition just as important as tread depth. Even when the car is driven infrequently, it is wise to monitor for cracking, flat spotting, or uneven wear, and to keep the correct front and rear sizes in place whenever tires are rotated, replaced, or removed for wheel service.
