The 2018 Nissan Altima sits in the later years of a long-running midsize sedan line known for everyday comfort, clean styling, and broad trim coverage from practical commuter models to sharper V6 and sport-oriented versions. That matters for tire selection because this exact Altima does not use one universal fitment across the range. Depending on sub-model, it uses 215/60R16, 215/55R17, or 235/45R18 radial tires. Available choices center on modern radial performance tires in blackwall form, with several BFGoodrich g-Force series options appearing in the 17-inch and 18-inch sizes. The key step is matching the tire to the exact trim level and wheel diameter already on the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2018 Nissan Altima
Three primary tire sizes apply to the 2018 Nissan Altima, and they are tied directly to sub-model and wheel diameter. The first step is confirming whether the car has 16-inch, 17-inch, or 18-inch wheels and then matching that setup to the correct trim. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to comparing available radial tire options within the proper size.
A 215/60R16 tire uses a 215-millimeter section width, a 60-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and fits a 16-inch rim. On the 2018 Nissan Altima, this size serves the more comfort-oriented end of the range and keeps the fitment in a modern radial format that most buyers will recognize immediately. Its proportions are geared toward preserving the intended wheel-and-tire package for the Altima setup that uses 16-inch wheels. The practical reason to choose this size is straightforward: it is the correct primary fitment for the sub-models equipped with 16-inch rims, so wheel diameter confirmation comes first.
A 215/55R17 tire keeps the same 215-millimeter nominal width as the 16-inch option, but uses a lower 55-series profile and mounts on a 17-inch rim. This is still a radial tire, but it belongs to a different wheel package on the 2018 Nissan Altima and should be selected only for the sub-models equipped for 17-inch fitment. Available choices in this size include BFGoodrich g-Force series products, all in blackwall form, with rim-width specifications in the 6.0 to 7.5 inch range. It is the right size to evaluate when the car already wears the factory-style 17-inch wheel setup.
A 235/45R18 tire is wider than the 16-inch and 17-inch Altima fitments, with a 235-millimeter section width, a 45-series profile, and radial construction for an 18-inch rim. On the 2018 Nissan Altima, this size belongs to the trims that use the largest wheel package, so it should not be confused with the narrower 215-section alternatives. BFGoodrich offers several blackwall choices here, including different g-Force series with rim-width specifications around 7.5 to 9.0 inches. This size is the one to compare when the car carries the 18-inch setup used on the sportier or higher-trim applications.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 2018 Nissan Altima because the tire size changes across the range. Confirming the exact trim is the quickest way to avoid choosing a tire for the wrong wheel diameter or profile.
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2018 Nissan Altima S
The 2018 Nissan Altima S uses the 16-inch radial fitment, which places it on a different wheel package than the 17-inch and 18-inch trims. Tire selection here starts with staying with the proper 16-inch size rather than comparing options meant for wider or lower-profile setups.
The 2018 Nissan Altima SL 2.5 uses the 17-inch radial tire size, giving it a distinct fitment from both the S and the 18-inch Altima variants. That means product comparison should stay within the correct 17-inch size and focus on tread character, series differences, and wheel compatibility.
The 2018 Nissan Altima SL 3.5 uses the 18-inch radial fitment shared with another upper-range configuration. Tire choice for this sub-model should center on the proper 18-inch size first, then on comparing the available blackwall performance-oriented options within that size.
The 2018 Nissan Altima SR uses the same 18-inch radial tire size as the SL 3.5. That keeps selection focused on the correct wheel diameter and on choosing among the available BFGoodrich g-Force series options rather than looking at the narrower 16-inch or 17-inch fitments.
The 2018 Nissan Altima SV uses the 17-inch radial fitment shared with the SL 2.5. For this sub-model, the main task is confirming that the car still has the proper 17-inch wheel setup and then comparing the available blackwall radial options in the correct 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 2018 Nissan Altima Tires for Sale
Available product choices center on the 17-inch and 18-inch Altima fitments, with BFGoodrich g-Force series options in blackwall radial construction. The main comparisons are tire series, load-related specifications where stated, and rim-width compatibility within the correct wheel diameter.
These FAQs focus on 2018 Nissan Altima tire sizing by trim, wheel-diameter differences, radial tire selection, and the checks that matter before everyday driving or replacing tires on a modified car.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2018 Nissan Altima?
The 2018 Nissan Altima uses three different tire sizes: 215/60R16, 215/55R17, and 235/45R18. The correct one depends on the exact sub-model, since the Altima range uses different wheel diameters and tire profiles across S, SV, SL 2.5, SL 3.5, and SR configurations.
That means the first check is not brand or tread style, but trim level and wheel size. A tire that is correct for a 17-inch Altima will not be the right choice for an 18-inch car, even though the overall tire diameter stays fairly close. Confirm the sub-model and the wheel currently on the vehicle before comparing products.
What size rim does a 2018 Nissan Altima use?
A 2018 Nissan Altima can use 16-inch, 17-inch, or 18-inch rims, depending on sub-model. The 215/60R16 fitment uses a 16-inch rim, 215/55R17 uses a 17-inch rim, and 235/45R18 uses an 18-inch rim, so rim diameter changes with the tire package.
Rim diameter needs to match the tire size exactly, so a 17-inch tire cannot be mounted on an 18-inch wheel or vice versa. Checking the wheel itself is especially important if the car was purchased used or has had aftermarket wheels installed. Confirming both the wheel diameter and the tire size already on the car helps narrow the correct replacement quickly.
Why does the 2018 Nissan Altima have more than one tire size?
The 2018 Nissan Altima has more than one tire size because different sub-models use different wheel-and-tire packages. The S uses 215/60R16, the SV and SL 2.5 use 215/55R17, and the SR and SL 3.5 use 235/45R18, so the fitment follows trim-specific wheel diameter and tire profile.
This matters because replacement selection starts with the exact version of the car, not just the model name. A buyer looking at Altima tires needs to confirm whether the car is on 16-inch, 17-inch, or 18-inch wheels before making any other decision. That prevents choosing a tire that belongs to another trim level but shares similar overall proportions.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 2018 Nissan Altima?
Start with the correct primary size for the exact 2018 Nissan Altima sub-model, since this car uses three different wheel diameters across the range. After size is settled, compare radial construction details such as tire series, sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, weight, and any stated load capacity figures that apply to the specific product.
The available 17-inch and 18-inch options center on BFGoodrich g-Force series tires in blackwall form, so the comparison is less about appearance variety and more about choosing the right product within the right fitment. Matching the tire to the car's current wheels and intended use is more important than choosing based on model name alone.
What brands offer tires for the 2018 Nissan Altima?
The available products for the covered 2018 Nissan Altima sizes come from BFGoodrich. That brand appears across the 17-inch and 18-inch fitments, with several g-Force series choices offered in blackwall radial construction for the applicable wheel packages.
Since the brand selection shown here is narrow, the real comparison shifts to tire series, load-related specifications where stated, and the wheel-width range that matches the car's setup. Buyers should still confirm the exact size first, because BFGoodrich options in 215/55R17 and 235/45R18 serve different Altima trims and are not interchangeable simply because the brand is the same.
What tire series are available for the 2018 Nissan Altima?
The available 2018 Nissan Altima products include BFGoodrich g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Phenom T/A, and, in the 18-inch fitment, g-Force Sport Comp 2. These series appear in the 215/55R17 and 235/45R18 sizes, both using blackwall radial construction.
Those series names give the buyer a useful way to sort the product grid once the correct size is confirmed. A 17-inch Altima owner should compare only the 215/55R17 products, while an 18-inch Altima owner should stay within 235/45R18. Rim-width compatibility also changes by size, so wheel setup should be checked alongside series choice.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2018 Nissan Altima?
A period-style approach on a 2018 Nissan Altima starts with keeping the correct original-size format for the exact trim: 215/60R16, 215/55R17, or 235/45R18. Since the applicable products here are modern blackwall radials, the closest visual match comes from staying with the proper wheel diameter and tire proportions already used on the car.
For a later-model sedan like the Altima, appearance usually depends more on preserving the right stance and wheel package than on vintage sidewall treatments. If exact showroom-era presentation matters, compare the current wheels and tires against original vehicle literature or trim-specific references before changing size, profile, or wheel diameter.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2018 Nissan Altima restoration?
Correct tire fitment does matter on a 2018 Nissan Altima restoration because the trim level determines the wheel diameter and tire profile. Using the wrong size can change the look of the car, place it on an incorrect wheel package, and shift the overall presentation away from the way that specific Altima configuration was meant to sit.
This is especially important because the Altima range spans 16-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch fitments in the same model year. A restoration-minded buyer should confirm the exact sub-model first, then verify that the wheel size on the car still matches it. Once that foundation is correct, product selection becomes a matter of choosing the preferred radial tire within the proper size.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2018 Nissan Altima?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2018 Nissan Altima, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, or a different wheel offset than stock. Since this model already uses 16-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch factory fitments across the range, even small changes can complicate replacement selection.
An Altima with altered wheels or ride height should be checked for actual rim diameter, wheel width, and tire clearance before choosing a replacement. Steering clearance and fender space also matter once wheel specifications move away from the original setup. Matching the tire to the car's current configuration is more reliable than assuming the factory trim size still applies.
What should I inspect before driving a 2018 Nissan Altima on new tires?
Before driving a 2018 Nissan Altima on new tires, inspect the wheel diameter, confirm the installed tire size matches the trim, and check inflation pressure. It is also wise to look over the wheels for damage and make sure the tires seat properly and clear the suspension, fenders, and steering components through their normal range of movement.
A quick road-use check should also include lug torque, visible sidewall condition, and any signs of rubbing once the car is driven and turned lock to lock. On an Altima that has changed hands or been modified, this step is especially important because wheel and tire combinations are not always still in original trim configuration.
How often should tires on a 2018 Nissan Altima be inspected?
Tires on a 2018 Nissan Altima should be inspected regularly, not just when tread looks low. Routine checks should cover inflation pressure, uneven wear, cuts, punctures, sidewall damage, and any sign of air loss, since a daily-driven midsize sedan can hide developing problems until they affect ride quality or handling.
A good habit is to inspect the tires visually every few weeks and before longer drives. Cars that sit for stretches should still be checked for flat spotting, pressure loss, and age-related condition changes. Keeping the tires in the correct size for the Altima's wheel package is only part of the picture; ongoing condition matters just as much for safe road use.
