The 2016 Nissan Altima sits in the later era of the midsize sedan market, where comfort, fuel economy, and clean everyday road manners mattered just as much as trim-level distinction. By this point, Altima fitment depended heavily on the exact model, with three radial tire sizes used across the lineup: 215/60R16, 215/55R17, and 235/45R18. That makes the first step identifying whether your car is a Base, S, SV, SL 2.5, SL 3.5, or SR. From there, the real choice is less about vintage-style construction and more about matching the correct wheel diameter, maintaining the intended stance, and selecting the right performance character within the available radial options.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2016 Nissan Altima
The 2016 Nissan Altima uses three primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the specific sub-model as well as wheel diameter. All three are radial sizes, but they are built around different 16-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch rims, so the first step is confirming exactly which wheels are on the car before comparing tire choices.
215/60R16 is a metric radial size in which 215 is the section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 2016 Nissan Altima, this size serves Base and S models and centers the fitment around a 16-inch wheel. It is the most straightforward of the Altima’s three primary sizes because the sizing format is familiar and modern. This is the size to use when the car retains its original 16-inch wheel setup and no wheel or suspension changes have altered clearance requirements.
215/55R17 follows the same metric radial format, with a 215-millimeter section width, a 55-series profile, radial construction, and a 17-inch rim diameter. On the 2016 Nissan Altima, this size applies to the SV and SL 2.5, making wheel diameter the key point to confirm before selection. Available products in this size come from BFGoodrich and are offered in blackwall form across the g-Force Comp 2 AS and g-Force Phenom T/A series. This size is the right place to compare product character once the car’s 17-inch wheel fitment is confirmed.
235/45R18 is a wider metric radial size, with 235 indicating section width in millimeters, 45 identifying a lower-profile sidewall, and 18 designating the rim diameter. On the 2016 Nissan Altima, this size belongs to the SR and SL 3.5, so it is tied to specific upper-trim wheel packages rather than the full model range. BFGoodrich offers this size in blackwall form across several g-Force series, including Comp 2 AS, Sport Comp 2, and Phenom T/A. It deserves a careful wheel check because moving between Altima tire sizes also means moving between different rim diameters.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 2016 Nissan Altima because tire size changes across the lineup rather than staying uniform from Base to SR. Before choosing a tire, confirm the exact trim and make sure the car still has the wheel diameter that belongs with that sub-model.
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2016 Nissan Altima Base
The 2016 Nissan Altima Base uses the 215/60R16 radial size. Tire selection here starts with confirming that the car still carries its 16-inch wheel setup, then choosing a replacement that matches the intended everyday driving use.
The 2016 Nissan Altima S shares the 215/60R16 radial fitment with the Base model. That keeps sizing straightforward, but wheel swaps or package changes should still be checked before assuming the same tire remains on the car.
The 2016 Nissan Altima SL 2.5 uses a 215/55R17 radial tire. That places it in the middle Altima fitment range, where the main decision becomes comparing available 17-inch product options after confirming the car still has the proper wheel diameter.
The 2016 Nissan Altima SL 3.5 uses the 235/45R18 radial size. Because this fitment moves to an 18-inch wheel, tire replacement should begin with wheel verification and then shift toward choosing among the available performance-oriented blackwall options.
The 2016 Nissan Altima SR also uses the 235/45R18 radial tire size. That makes proper 18-inch wheel fitment the first checkpoint, followed by selecting the tire series that best matches how the car is driven and maintained.
The 2016 Nissan Altima SV uses a 215/55R17 radial tire. Once the 17-inch wheel setup is confirmed, the decision is mainly about comparing the available BFGoodrich choices within that size rather than sorting through multiple primary fitments.
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 2016 Nissan Altima Tires for Sale
Available products center on the 215/55R17 and 235/45R18 Altima sizes, both in radial blackwall form from BFGoodrich. The main points of comparison are tire series, rim-width compatibility, load specifications where stated, and the difference between the 17-inch and 18-inch fitments.
These 2016 Nissan Altima tire FAQs focus on the trim-specific size differences, wheel diameter, radial fitment, available product choices, and the practical checks to make before replacing tires on a daily-driven or modified car.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2016 Nissan Altima?
The 2016 Nissan Altima uses three tire sizes depending on sub-model: 215/60R16, 215/55R17, and 235/45R18. Base and S models use 215/60R16, SV and SL 2.5 use 215/55R17, and SR plus SL 3.5 use 235/45R18.
That means there is no single tire size for every 2016 Altima. The right starting point is the exact trim level, followed by a quick check of the wheels actually on the car, since used vehicles sometimes carry replacement wheels that no longer match the original sub-model fitment.
What size rim does a 2016 Nissan Altima use?
A 2016 Nissan Altima can use a 16-inch, 17-inch, or 18-inch rim depending on sub-model. The 215/60R16 tire pairs with a 16-inch rim, 215/55R17 pairs with a 17-inch rim, and 235/45R18 pairs with an 18-inch rim.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before any tire purchase because these sizes are not interchangeable across different wheel diameters. Even when the overall tire dimensions stay fairly close, the bead seat diameter must match the wheel exactly, so a 17-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 16-inch or 18-inch wheel.
Do all 2016 Nissan Altima sub-models use the same tire size?
No, 2016 Nissan Altima sub-models do not all use the same tire size. The lineup is split across 215/60R16, 215/55R17, and 235/45R18, with each size tied to specific trims rather than shared across the full model range.
That variation is important because the change is not just about tread choice or sidewall profile. Each size also corresponds to a different rim diameter, so the first fitment question is always which sub-model you have and whether the car still wears the wheel package that belongs with it.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 2016 Nissan Altima?
Start with the correct size for the exact 2016 Nissan Altima sub-model, then confirm the wheel diameter on the car before comparing individual tires. After that, the useful selection points are construction, tire series, load figures where stated, and the rim-width range attached to the product.
A Base or S model owner is solving a different fitment problem than an SR or SL 3.5 owner, since the Altima spans 16-inch through 18-inch wheel setups. Once sizing is right, choose the tire that suits the car’s actual use, whether that means general daily driving or a more performance-oriented feel.
What sidewall styles are available for 2016 Nissan Altima tires?
The available 2016 Nissan Altima products in 215/55R17 and 235/45R18 use a blackwall sidewall style. That gives the tire selection a clean, modern appearance rather than a restoration-style whitewall or specialty sidewall presentation.
For this Altima, sidewall choice is less of a styling decision than tire series and wheel size. Since the available products stay within blackwall format, the more meaningful comparisons are the series character, the exact size needed for the trim, and whether the tire’s rim-width range matches the wheel on the car.
What tire series are available for the 2016 Nissan Altima?
Available 2016 Nissan Altima products include BFGoodrich g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Phenom T/A, and, in 235/45R18, g-Force Sport Comp 2. Those series appear in the 17-inch and 18-inch Altima fitments rather than across every size used on the model.
Series names help separate one product from another when the size is already correct. A buyer comparing 215/55R17 or 235/45R18 tires should look at the series alongside load information where stated, wheel-width compatibility, and intended use, instead of assuming every tire in the same size serves the car in exactly the same way.
Restoration & Appearance
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2016 Nissan Altima restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment still matters on a 2016 Nissan Altima, even though it is far newer than a traditional collector car. Using the proper size and rim diameter for the exact trim helps preserve the car’s intended stance, wheel-to-tire proportion, and overall visual balance.
Appearance on a newer vehicle is usually tied more to wheel size and sidewall profile than to wide whitewalls or vintage construction. Anyone trying to keep the car close to its original presentation should confirm the correct trim-level size first and avoid assuming that another Altima tire size will look right simply because it shares the same bolt pattern.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2016 Nissan Altima?
On a 2016 Nissan Altima, tire construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are radial. The visual effect comes less from choosing between bias-ply and radial, and more from keeping the correct radial size and sidewall proportion for the wheel package used on the specific trim.
A 215/60R16-equipped car presents differently from an Altima on 235/45R18s, even if both are fitted with blackwall radials. For an appearance-minded project, the goal is usually to preserve the proper relationship between wheel diameter, tire width, and sidewall height rather than chasing a specialty construction change.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2016 Nissan Altima?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2016 Nissan Altima. Aftermarket wheels, altered offsets, suspension changes, or a switch to a different trim-level wheel package can all change the relationship between the tire, fender opening, and steering components.
Even when the car still uses one of the stock Altima tire sizes, wheel width and wheel position can change how that size behaves on the car. A modified Altima should be checked for clearance at full steering lock and through suspension travel before treating any size as automatically suitable.
What should I inspect before driving a 2016 Nissan Altima on new tires?
Before driving a 2016 Nissan Altima on new tires, inspect wheel condition, confirm that the tire size matches the trim and rim diameter, and make sure inflation is set correctly for the installed tires. It also helps to look for uneven wear signs that may point to alignment or suspension issues.
New tires perform best when the rest of the setup is healthy. A quick check of tread seating, valve stems, lug torque, and any rubbing near the inner fender or strut area can prevent early problems, especially if the Altima has replacement wheels or recently changed suspension parts.
What should I check before a longer drive in a 2016 Nissan Altima?
Before a longer drive in a 2016 Nissan Altima, check tire pressure, tread condition, sidewall condition, and any signs of puncture damage or slow air loss. It is also wise to confirm that all four tires are the correct size for the car’s wheel setup.
Longer highway use puts more demand on tires than short local trips. A walkaround should include looking for cuts, bulges, and irregular wear, while a practical fitment check should confirm that no recent wheel, brake, or suspension work has created clearance issues that were easy to miss in everyday driving.
