2013 Scion Tire Fitment Guide

2013 Scion vehicles use seven sizes across five models: the FR-S uses 215/45R17, the iQ uses 175/60R16 or 175/65R15, the tC uses 225/45R18, the xB uses 205/55R16 or 225/45R17, and the xD uses 195/60R16. All of them are radial sizes, but they do not share one common wheel diameter. Rim diameters across the range are 15, 16, 17, and 18 inches.

That means a 2013 Scion owner should start with model identification and then confirm the wheel diameter on the car before comparing brands or tread patterns. The iQ and xB especially deserve a closer look because each can appear with more than one factory size, while the FR-S, tC, and xD each follow a single model-specific fitment path.

On a 2013 Scion FR-S, 215/45R17 means the tire is 215 millimeters wide, has a 45-series aspect ratio, uses radial construction, and fits a 17-inch wheel. That is a modern metric radial format, which is the standard language for later-model passenger-car fitments like Scion used in 2013.

Understanding that code helps you separate size from brand choice. A BFGoodrich tire and another 215/45R17 tire may differ in load rating, speed rating, and recommended rim-width range, but they still share the same basic dimensional format. Once the size matches, the next step is comparing the product details that matter for how you use your FR-S.

No, 2013 Scion models do not use the same tire size. The FR-S, iQ, tC, xB, and xD each have their own fitment pattern, and the iQ and xB each use two different sizes depending on wheel package. The tire range spans 15-inch through 18-inch rim diameters, so cross-shopping by year and make alone can easily lead to the wrong starting point.

That model variation matters more than anything else on this page. A buyer comparing Scion tires by appearance alone could miss a change in wheel diameter or section width that makes the tire unsuitable for the car. If the current tire sidewall is readable, compare that code to the model fitment first, then move on to brand and performance preferences.

The available 2013 Scion tire offerings here are blackwall radials. That blackwall presentation fits the look of Scion’s 2013 lineup well, especially because FR-S, tC, xB, and xD buyers generally expect a modern tuner-era or sport-compact appearance rather than wide whitewalls or vintage sidewall detailing.

For most owners, sidewall appearance will be a simple choice because the visual theme stays consistent across the available sizes. The real comparison usually shifts to brand, speed rating, load capacity, and the wheel diameter your specific model uses. That keeps the decision grounded in the car’s actual fitment rather than in cosmetic differences alone.

BFGoodrich appears across the supported 2013 Scion sizes, with Nitto offered in 225/45R18 and 225/45R17, and Michelin appearing in 205/55R16. The FR-S 215/45R17 fitment is covered by BFGoodrich, the tC 225/45R18 by BFGoodrich and Nitto, the xB 205/55R16 by BFGoodrich and Michelin, and the xB 225/45R17 by BFGoodrich and Nitto.

That spread gives buyers different paths depending on model and size. Some sizes center on one brand family, while others let you compare between brands within the same wheel diameter and general performance category. Once the size is confirmed, it makes sense to compare speed rating, load capacity, and rim-width compatibility before deciding which product best suits the way the car is driven.

For 2013 Scion applications where both appear, such as 225/45R18 and 225/45R17, BFGoodrich g-Force Comp 2 A/S and Nitto NT555 G2 share radial construction, blackwall styling, and W speed ratings. In 225/45R18, the Nitto carries a 1,521-pound load rating at 50 psi and a 7.0 to 8.5-inch rim-width range, while the BFGoodrich uses the same general rim-width spread. In 225/45R17, the Nitto carries a 1,477-pound load rating at 50 psi and also fits a 7.0 to 8.5-inch rim-width range.

The practical difference is less about basic fitment and more about comparing the specific series that are available in your size. If your xB or tC uses one of those shared sizes, both can be viable modern radial choices, but it is still worth checking the exact load marking, XL notation where present, and recommended rim width against the wheels already on the car.

Several 2013 Scion sizes carry clear rim-width guidance. The FR-S size 215/45R17 fits 7.0 to 8.0-inch rims. The tC size 225/45R18 fits 7.0 to 8.5-inch rims. The xB 205/55R16 size fits 5.5 to 7.5-inch rims, and the xB 225/45R17 size generally fits 7.0 to 8.5-inch rims, although one performance-oriented version is marked for 8.5 to 10.0-inch rims.

That last detail is exactly why wheel width matters as much as tire diameter. Two tires can share the same nominal size but carry different recommended wheel-width windows depending on their internal design. Before mounting a replacement on any 2013 Scion, compare the wheel width on the car to the product’s approved range rather than assuming every tire in that size fits every wheel equally well.

2013 Scion tires are generally modern radial fitments, and tube use can vary by product rather than by model alone. The clearest marking appears in the 205/55R16 size, where a Michelin option is identified as TL, meaning tubeless. Other sizes do not all carry the same explicit marking in the available offerings, so the safest approach is to confirm the sidewall designation on the exact tire being considered.

That check matters most if you are replacing tires one pair at a time or mixing brands within a size. Wheel condition also plays a role, especially on older wheels that may have corrosion or sealing issues. Even on a 2013 Scion, the final decision should follow the tire’s own construction marking and the condition of the wheel it will be mounted on.

Original 2013 Scion wheels cannot be treated as interchangeable across all seven tire sizes, because the model range uses 15-inch, 16-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch rim diameters. An FR-S 17-inch wheel, an iQ 15-inch wheel, and a tC 18-inch wheel are not simply alternate tire choices for the same wheel. The xB and iQ each have two fitments, but those fitments still depend on the specific wheel diameter already on the vehicle.

The practical takeaway is simple: match the tire to the wheel first, not just to the badge on the hatch or coupe. If the car has been modified, confirm both the wheel diameter and the actual wheel width before choosing a tire. That extra step prevents confusion between factory size families that belong to different Scion models or wheel packages.

A 2013 Scion should be stored on clean, properly inflated tires in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment. Even modern radials age faster when they sit for long periods in heat or UV exposure. Moving the car periodically helps reduce flat-spotting during extended storage.

That matters for cars like the FR-S and tC that may see seasonal use, but it also applies to lower-mileage iQ, xB, and xD examples that spend long stretches parked. If the vehicle will sit for months, clean the tires, keep them off damp ground, and consider tire cradles or stands to reduce stress in one contact patch.

On a 2013 Scion, tire age usually matters more than mileage once the car becomes a low-use second car or weekend vehicle. A good rule is to begin careful evaluation around five to seven years of age and to treat about ten years as a serious replacement threshold regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the sidewall is the best way to establish the tire’s age.

That age-based approach is especially important with sport-oriented fitments such as 215/45R17, 225/45R17, and 225/45R18, where a tire may still look serviceable at a glance but have hardened with time. If the car is driven infrequently, judge the tire by age, cracking, and ride behavior rather than by tread depth alone.

Tires on a 2013 Scion should be checked before every drive and more thoroughly before any longer trip. Look for pressure loss, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and any sign that the tread is wearing unevenly from alignment or suspension issues. On sizes where tubeless marking or other construction details vary by product, valve condition and air retention deserve extra attention.

A quick walkaround can catch most problems before they become roadside issues. For longer outings, use a gauge rather than a visual guess, and inspect the spare as well if the car still carries one. Sports-coupe and hatchback Scions alike respond noticeably to underinflation, so regular checks help both safety and overall driving feel.

Yes, the available 2013 Scion fitments here are modern radial tires suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and properly inflated. Where speed ratings are stated, W-rated products are rated to 112 mph, and one 205/55R16 Michelin option carries a Y rating of 186 mph or higher. Those ratings exceed normal highway speeds by a wide margin.

Real-world safety still depends on more than the speed letter on the sidewall. Tire age, air pressure, alignment, and the car’s mechanical condition matter just as much, especially on older examples that may not be driven daily. For a 2013 Scion used on modern roads, the smartest move is choosing the correct size first and then keeping the tires maintained like any other safety-critical component.

Inflation pressure on a 2013 Scion should follow the vehicle’s factory recommendation for normal service, with the tire’s own maximum-pressure marking understood as a load-limit reference rather than a default everyday setting. Some available products carry maximum load and pressure figures such as 1,356 pounds at 50 or 51 psi, 1,477 pounds at 50 psi, and 1,521 pounds at 50 psi, depending on size and product.

Those numbers should not be transferred from one Scion size to another or treated as a blanket setting for the whole model range. A tC on 225/45R18, an FR-S on 215/45R17, and an xB on 205/55R16 may all require different vehicle-spec pressures. Check the door-jamb placard or owner’s manual first, then compare that guidance with the tire’s sidewall marking.

Before a longer drive in a 2013 Scion, inspect all four tires for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, and uneven wear, then verify pressure with a gauge when the tires are cold. Confirm that the tire size on the car matches the correct model fitment, especially on iQ and xB applications where more than one factory size exists. If the tire has a tubeless marking, check the valve stem condition as well.

Tires are only one part of a sensible pre-trip inspection on a car of this age. It also makes sense to check alignment behavior on a short test drive, listen for wheel-bearing noise, and verify that the spare or roadside plan is still current. A careful once-over before departure is far easier than dealing with a preventable failure on the shoulder.