The 2013 Nissan Sentra belongs to the generation that pushed this compact sedan further toward everyday comfort, efficiency, and modern commuter duty. Buyers looking at one today are usually balancing practical road use with the need to keep the car properly matched to its original wheel setup. Tire fitment centers on two radial sizes, 205/55R16 and 205/50R17, depending on the exact Sentra sub-model. That gives owners a meaningful choice between blackwall performance-oriented tires and whitewall-style options in the correct sizing. The key is confirming whether the car is on its original 16-inch or 17-inch wheel package before narrowing down brand, series, and appearance preferences.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2013 Nissan Sentra
The 2013 Nissan Sentra uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the specific sub-model and wheel diameter. Both sizes are metric radial fitments, but one is built around a 16-inch rim and the other around a 17-inch rim. Before choosing a tire, the first step is confirming the exact Sentra trim and making sure the car still has the wheel size it was intended to use.
A 205/55R16 tire uses a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a 55-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim. On the 2013 Nissan Sentra, this is a modern radial fitment used on several sub-models and suits owners who need to stay with the standard 16-inch wheel package. Available choices include blackwall tires from BFGoodrich and Michelin, along with an American Classic Radial in a wide whitewall treatment. This size is the right place to focus if the car carries the 16-inch setup and the goal is to balance correct fitment with the preferred appearance and tire character.
A 205/50R17 tire keeps the same 205-millimeter nominal width but uses a lower 50-series profile on a 17-inch rim, with radial construction throughout. For the 2013 Nissan Sentra, this size belongs to the 17-inch wheel package used on specific sub-models rather than the full model range. Product choices include blackwall options from BFGoodrich and Vredestein, plus an American Classic Radial with a wide whitewall presentation. This size becomes the correct path when the car has the factory-style 17-inch wheel fitment and the owner wants either a sportier look or a more distinctive sidewall treatment.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 2013 Nissan Sentra because tire size changes with the wheel package. Most covered trims use the 16-inch setup, while SL and SR models use the 17-inch size, so identifying the exact version is the first step before comparing tires.
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2013 Nissan Sentra FE+ S
The 2013 Nissan Sentra FE+ S uses the 205/55R16 radial tire size. That keeps selection focused on the 16-inch wheel package, where the decision shifts from fitment to comparing blackwall versus whitewall appearance and the available tire series within that size.
The 2013 Nissan Sentra FE+ SV uses the 205/55R16 radial tire size. For this sub-model, the main buying questions are staying with the proper 16-inch sizing and choosing among the available brand, sidewall, and tire-series options that suit the car's intended look and road use.
The 2013 Nissan Sentra S uses the 205/55R16 radial tire size. That makes wheel confirmation straightforward, but it still helps to verify that the car has not been changed to a different wheel package before selecting between the available product styles in this size.
The 2013 Nissan Sentra SL uses the 205/50R17 radial tire size. Tire selection here starts with confirming the 17-inch wheel setup, then comparing the available blackwall and whitewall-style products to match the desired appearance and driving character.
The 2013 Nissan Sentra SR uses the 205/50R17 radial tire size. Owners should keep attention on the 17-inch fitment first, then sort through the available tire series and sidewall treatments that make the most sense for everyday use or a more distinctive presentation.
The 2013 Nissan Sentra SV uses the 205/55R16 radial tire size. That means the key decision is not which primary size fits, but which 16-inch tire best matches the car's wheel setup, appearance goals, and preference for blackwall or whitewall styling.
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 2013 Nissan Sentra Tires for Sale
Available 2013 Nissan Sentra tires cover both primary sizes and include choices from BFGoodrich, Michelin, American Classic, and Vredestein. Buyers can compare blackwall and wide whitewall styles across several radial tire series, with most options built around 5.5- to 7.5-inch rim-width compatibility.
These 2013 Nissan Sentra tire FAQs focus on the two correct sizes, sub-model differences, 16-inch versus 17-inch rim fitment, product and sidewall choices, and the checks that matter before putting the car back into regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2013 Nissan Sentra?
The 2013 Nissan Sentra uses either 205/55R16 or 205/50R17 tires, depending on the sub-model. FE+ S, FE+ SV, S, and SV models use 205/55R16, while SL and SR models use 205/50R17. Both are radial metric sizes, but they are tied to different wheel diameters.
The most important step is matching the tire to the actual wheel package on the car. A Sentra that has been changed from its original wheels may no longer follow sub-model fitment exactly, so checking the current rim diameter and the trim level together will prevent ordering the wrong size.
What size rim does a 2013 Nissan Sentra use?
A 2013 Nissan Sentra uses either a 16-inch or 17-inch rim, depending on the sub-model. The 205/55R16 tire is built for a 16-inch wheel, and the 205/50R17 tire is built for a 17-inch wheel. That wheel diameter difference is the clearest dividing line in Sentra fitment.
Checking rim diameter first saves time because a tire with the wrong bead diameter cannot be mounted safely. It is also worth confirming wheel width if the car has aftermarket wheels, since many available products in these sizes are intended for rims in roughly the 5.5- to 7.5-inch range.
Do all 2013 Nissan Sentra sub-models use the same tire size?
No, 2013 Nissan Sentra sub-models do not all use the same tire size. FE+ S, FE+ SV, S, and SV models use 205/55R16, while SL and SR models use 205/50R17. The difference comes down to the wheel package assigned to those trims, not a mix of bias-ply and radial construction.
That means the exact sub-model matters before comparing brands or sidewall styles. It also helps to verify what is actually on the car now, because a used Sentra may have been fitted with a different wheel set than it originally carried, especially if wheels were replaced for appearance or convenience.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 2013 Nissan Sentra tire?
Start with the correct primary size for the car: 205/55R16 for FE+ S, FE+ SV, S, and SV, or 205/50R17 for SL and SR. From there, compare construction, sidewall appearance, tire series, and fit with the wheel. All of the available options are radial, so the choice is about specification and presentation rather than switching construction type.
A good selection process also includes checking the actual wheel diameter on the vehicle, especially if it has changed hands. Then compare practical details such as rim-width compatibility, load figures where shown, and whether a blackwall or wide whitewall style better suits the way the Sentra will be driven and presented.
What sidewall styles are available for 2013 Nissan Sentra tires?
2013 Nissan Sentra tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles, depending on the size and product line. Blackwall choices appear across several BFGoodrich, Michelin, and Vredestein options, while American Classic Radial offers wide whitewall versions in both 205/55R16 and 205/50R17.
The sidewall decision is mostly about appearance unless a particular product line also changes other specifications that matter to the buyer. Blackwall usually keeps a more contemporary look, while a wide whitewall creates a more customized visual treatment, so it helps to decide whether the Sentra is being kept strictly modern-looking or given a more distinctive presentation.
What brands offer tires for the 2013 Nissan Sentra?
Tires for the 2013 Nissan Sentra are available from BFGoodrich, Michelin, American Classic, and Vredestein. Brand availability depends on size, with BFGoodrich covering both primary fitments, American Classic offering whitewall-style choices in both sizes, Michelin appearing in 205/55R16, and Vredestein appearing in 205/50R17.
Brand choice should come after confirming the correct size and wheel diameter. Once that is settled, the comparison becomes more useful because it can focus on the tire series, sidewall treatment, rim-width compatibility, and any load information shown for the specific tire rather than treating all products in the grid as interchangeable.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2013 Nissan Sentra?
A period-style approach for a 2013 Nissan Sentra starts with keeping the correct size for the car's actual trim and wheel package. That means 205/55R16 on FE+ S, FE+ SV, S, and SV models, or 205/50R17 on SL and SR models. Staying with the intended diameter preserves the proportions the car was designed around.
Appearance then becomes the deciding factor. A blackwall tire maintains the look most buyers associate with a modern compact sedan, while the available wide whitewall options create a more customized presentation. For owners pursuing exact historical presentation, period photos, brochures, or marque-specific references are worth consulting before settling on a sidewall style.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2013 Nissan Sentra restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 2013 Nissan Sentra because wheel diameter and tire profile are part of the car's overall stance and intended road manners. Using 205/55R16 on the 16-inch setup or 205/50R17 on the 17-inch setup keeps the vehicle closer to the proportions associated with the proper trim.
Even on a newer collector-era car, the wrong tire size can change how the car looks in the wheel opening and complicate clearance or mounting decisions. A restoration-minded owner should confirm the sub-model, verify the wheels currently on the car, and then choose a tire whose sidewall style and series align with the desired finished appearance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2013 Nissan Sentra?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2013 Nissan Sentra. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, lowering, or body alterations can change the clearance relationship around a 205/55R16 or 205/50R17 tire, even when the nominal tire size still matches one of the factory-style fitments for the model.
The safest approach is to verify the actual wheel diameter and width on the car, then inspect fender, strut, and steering clearance before finalizing a tire choice. Even small setup changes can alter how a tire sits in the wheelwell, so checking the vehicle as it exists now is more useful than relying on trim level alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 2013 Nissan Sentra on new tires?
Before driving a 2013 Nissan Sentra on new tires, inspect the wheel condition, valve stems, lug hardware, and basic alignment-related wear points. It also helps to confirm that all four tires match the intended size for the car's wheel package and that inflation pressures are set appropriately for the chosen tire.
A short visual check after installation is worthwhile as well. Look for any rubbing at full steering lock, make sure there are no unusual bulges or mounting issues, and recheck pressure after the first drives. On a car that has sat for long periods, suspension wear and old wheel damage can show up only after fresh tires are installed.
How often should tires on a 2013 Nissan Sentra be inspected?
Tires on a 2013 Nissan Sentra should be inspected regularly, especially on a car that sees mixed daily use and occasional longer trips. Routine checks should include tread wear, visible cuts, cracking, bulges, uneven wear patterns, and air-pressure loss. Those habits matter whether the car is on 205/55R16 or 205/50R17 tires.
Regular inspection is especially useful on an older vehicle because the tire can age before the tread is worn out. Looking over the sidewalls and shoulders every few weeks, and again before highway travel, makes it easier to catch developing issues early and confirm that the car is still riding evenly on the proper wheel and tire setup.
