what is the difference between tires 195/55/16 and 205/50/16 for a nissan sentra?

Question

I currently have the 195 on my car the 205 is much cheaper will it affect the handling of the car or gas millage?

Answer 1

The correct size for your Nissan is P195/55R16 86H (yes, you do have to include the whole thing) at 33 psi front, 30 psi rear. This is pretty much a unique size to Nissan so the choices can be slim in replacement tires. What am i saying, selection sucks. Basically you can get the Firestone Firehawk GTA-02 (OE tire) or the Bridgestone Turanza EL400-02 in a V-rated Euro-Metric standard load. My choice would be the EL400.

A P205/50R16 86H or 205/50R16 87H or 87V are far more common due to the use of these sizes on the Ford Focus and some Honda and Acura models. You can use this size on your car without problems. As a professional working in the tire industry I would have no problems recommending this switch.

A BF Goodrich Traction T/A would be a good choice in 205/50R16 87V. Better tire in every way than the GTA-02 and at 863 revs per mile your speedometer and odometer readings should be just fine (OE tire is 854 revs/mile). Another good choice is the Firestone Firehawk GT (very different tire to what came on your car and not to be confused). At 865 rev/mile again there should be little or no speedometer and odometer error. The Bridgestone Potenza G009 also in the Euro-Metric 205/50R16 87H size is another great choice but is tall for the size, rolling at 902 revs/mile. All of these, like most 205/50R16 tires are Euro-metric sized so you need to adjust the inflation pressure slightly to 34 psi front, 32 psi rear to compensate for the lower load capacity compared to the OE tire.

Answer 2

You wouldn't notice the difference. The 195/55 tire would be about 5 mm (3/16") taller and 10mm (3/8") narrower than the 205/50.
The 205/50 will improve handling a little. I am surprised that the 205/50 is cheaper. Your mileage may decrease with the 205/50 (wider tread and lower sidewall height). It wouldn't be more than a 1/2 mile per gallon.

Answer 3

Except for the SE-R's, 2006 Sentras came with 195-60/15s, so evidently you've gotten some custom (or at least non-OEM) wheels somewhere along the way. If there's room in the wheel wells, you might consider 215-55/16s, which are not so hard to find.

Answer 4

10 milimeter wider and lower sidewall might actually look better. The spedometer will read slightly faster which means less gasmileage. But not much. more tire = more drag = less fuel mileage. The next step is better wheels say like 17" and 235/40/17" tires.

Answer 5

10 mm wider than the other. There is no problem going that wider in a stock factory rim/wheel.