Hyundai Elantra Tire Size

You may not realize that tire size, as well as rim and wheel size, plays a key role in your car’s performance. If you’re an ELANTRA owner or thinking about buying one soon, keep reading as we discuss the correct tire size for each ELANTRA generation and the importance of following the manufacturer’s specifications.

Hyundai ELANTRA Tire Size Guide by Model Year and Trim

Below is a helpful guide to finding the right tire size based on your ELANTRA’s model year and trim level.

1990-1999: Early Generations

The correct tire sizes for the first-generation ELANTRAs are 195/65R14 with 5.5Jx14 ET46 rims and 205/55R15 with 6Jx15 ET40 rims.

2000-2009: The Evolution Continues

The tire size for 2000 to 2009 ELANTRA cars varies from trim to trim. The sizes start at 15 inches and go up to 17 inches. The specific tire sizes are 185/65R15, 195/55R16, and 215/45R17.

2010-2019: Modern Enhancements

The fourth and fifth generations of ELANTRAs were released during this period, and tire size changes were kept to a minimum. Depending on the trim, you’ll need 15, 16, or 17-inch tires. Current sizes are 195/65R15, 205/55R16, and 215/45R17.

2020-Present: Latest Models

The current generation of ELANTRAs comes with new tire sizes and additions. Instead of three, you can now choose from five options spanning 15- to 19-inch wheels. The sizes are as follow: 195/65R15, 205/55R16, 205/50R17, 225/45ZR17, 235/40R18, and 235/35ZR19.

Special Editions and Performance Models

If you drive a Sport or Special Edition ELANTRA, keep reading. Below is the size guide for the special editions.

N Line and Sport Versions

The CN7 Hyundai ELANTRA N comes with 18-inch and 19-inch wheels in 235/40R18 and 245/35ZR19 sizes.

Limited Edition Releases

The right tire size for your ELANTRA Limited depends largely on the model year. The tire sizes for the 2024 ELANTRA Limited are 195/65R15, 205/55R16, 225/45R17, and 225/40R18.

Tire Selection Tips for Hyundai ELANTRA Owners

Although often overlooked by many, tires play an exceptional role in keeping your car running. It’s important that you know how to choose the right tires for your Hyundai ELANTRA to keep it working as intended. It’s also worth mentioning that having the wrong size tires puts you at risk of rollover accidents.

Determining Your Hyundai Elantra’s Exact Tire Size

The easiest way to determine the tire size of your Hyundai ELANTRA is to consult your owner’s manual or ask the dealership. Only buy tires that match the manufacturer’s recommended size. If you want to give it a go yourself, here’s how you can find the perfect size tire for your vehicle.

Read the Tire Label

Knowing how to read tire labels is the first thing you should know when choosing new tires. For example, let’s say you come across a 195/65R15 tire. The first three numbers represent the tire’s width in millimeters. In other words, these tires are 195 millimeters wide. Remember, the wider the tire, the more road it touches. Sometimes, these first three numbers are preceded by a letter. In this case, the letter refers to the type of tire but can sometimes have other meanings. Here are some clues:

• P: This means that it’s a passenger vehicle tire and that it meets American standards. The absence of this letter means the tire meets European standards only.
• LT: This stands for light-duty tires, meaning they’re only intended to be used on light trucks.
• ST: These are special trailer tires and are intended to be used only on special trailers.

Going back to the above example of 195/65R15, after the slash are two numbers, a letter, and two more numbers. The first set indicates the aspect ratio between the tire’s height and width. The letter in the middle stands for “radial” and describes the tire’s construction. The last set of numbers indicates the wheel size it was made for.

Check Your Rim and Wheel Size

The other two things to check when choosing new tires are your rims and wheels. The bigger your Hyundai ELANTRA’s rims, the more you’ll have to pay for tires. Not to mention, they can be difficult to replace since not many manufacturers make large tires. Note that this scenario only applies if you decide to customize your car at an independent shop; dealership cars don’t have this problem.

Finally, the larger your wheels, the thinner your tires must be to fit in the wheel well. Thin tires can’t handle difficult roads, so consider this before increasing the size of your wheels.

Factors To Consider When Choosing Tires

Some of the factors to consider when choosing new tires include weather, budget, road conditions, and driving habits. If you live in an area with extreme weather conditions, you may want to consider weather-specific tires, such as winter or summer tires. Quality manufacturer-approved tires often cost more than the generic tires you can find at the store. However, they also last longer, so if your budget allows, consider buying genuine tires.

How often you drive and the condition of the roads you drive on also plays an important role in choosing your tires. For example, thin tires are a great choice if you use your ELANTRA for short trips and live in an area with pristine roads but a bad choice if you live in an area with extreme weather conditions.

Finding an Installer and Maintaining New Tires

The best way to install and maintain your new tires is to go to a trusted dealership and let them do it. The people at the dealership are trained professionals who know what’s best for your car. You should also follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to make the tires last longer. This includes avoiding actions that can wear out your Hyundai ELANTRA’s tires quickly, such as aggressive driving.

Find the Best Tires for Your Hyundai ELANTRA at Checkered Flag Hyundai World

Our Hyundai-certified technicians at Checkered Flag Hyundai World are ready to help you find and replace the tires on your Hyundai ELANTRA. If you’re in the Virginia Beach area, schedule an appointment with us or pay us a visit.

2011 Hyundai ix20 by loubeat is licensed with CC BY 2.0