Can I use p255 70R16 tires instead of p265 70r16? Will I notice any difference?

Question

This is on a 2005 Nissan Frontier 2 wheel drive truck. The p265 70r16 tires seem to be the manufacturer's recommended, but I found a great deal on the p255 70r16 tires.

Answer 1

I have done different tire sizes before and did not notice any difference. I would not try to vary either the width (265) or the side wall height (70) by more than 5(higher/wider) up or 10(lower/narrower) down on a stock vehicle. You should be okay w/ what you are looking at though. The link below will help you understand the tire "stats".

Answer 2

The P255/70R16 109S tires are smaller in diameter so the odometer and speedometer will read high, and the effective final drive ratio will change so your fuel economy will suffer (there goes the money you saved on the tires).  

The contact patch of this tire is smaller in area and narrower resulting in less traction during cornering and braking manuevers and longer stopping distances.

Finally, the load carrying capacity of this tire is lower than Nissan recommends which could result in an overloaded tire, which may fail resulting possibly in a crash followed by your slow, painful, fiery death.  That's worst-case of course.  

As I tire industry professional I would refuse to put a less capable tire on the vehicle than what Nissan recommends.

Answer 3

yah you will be fine they are just a tad less wide.