Questions about a 2013 Altima S with 2013 Maxima wheels

[NickChitwood126]

I am new to this site and this question has probably been asked plenty of times already but I don't have much time to look for an answer due to school. I have the 2013 Altima S with the stock steel wheels and it and I can't stand how cheap they look with the covers... I bought a set of 2013 Maxima 18 inch wheels that are brand new from a friend. I knew they had the right bolt pattern and the offset was very close so I just did it. Now I am confused about what lug nuts will work (From what I understand, the stock steel wheel lug nuts will not work in the alloy wheels), what tires would look and fit the best on the wheels, and are the tire sensors just put onto the wheels by whoever installs them or is it more complicated than that? I will be going to a very reputable, local tire shop so they can put the tires on the rims. Thank you so much for your time!
-Nick Chitwood

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

What I can tell you is that the TPMS sensor is put into the wheel by the person doing the tire install. It's usually recommended to get new ones put in when changing tires, which totals about $30-$40 for all 4 but I can't remember the exact figure, but I've gone through 2 sets before replacing them when I had my Altima.

As for lug nuts-- good question, I'd check out the factory ones for the Altima 17" alloy wheels and see if they fit correctly. I'm not a wheel/tire guy at all so I cannot tell you much more about that in regards to safety or fitment.

Just bear in mind though that you have a 2.5 which is not a slow poke, but when you put in heavier 18" alloy wheels, you will definitely have some reduction in MPG and performance, depending on how you drive.

Also, I am not trying to sound rude and it's your money, but research things like wheel fitment etc., before buying them. It's a safety issue on top of everything else, so best case you lose some cash, worse case you have a dangerous safety compromise!

I'm sure someone with more experience will chime in about the lugs and tires.

[NickChitwood126]

I thought the wheels wouldn't be all that much heavier because they are alloy compared to the steel wheels? But thanks for the into. I would rather sacrifice a little MPG for the better looks. I'm coming from a lifted z71 on 33s so I'm used to about 10 mpg anyways...

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

We're talking thin 16" steel wheels vs. thicker and larger alloy 18". The there is more surface area and material on the outside circumference of the wheel at a greater diameter (more rolling mass), even if it is slightly lighter in density per cubic unit. However, you should still be OK as long as you get the wheels on correctly.

Did you look into the lug nuts for the 17" or 18" Altima alloy wheels? Those might just work for your Max wheels.

[NickChitwood126]

We're talking thin 16" steel wheels vs. thicker and larger alloy 18". The there is more surface area and material on the outside circumference of the wheel at a greater diameter (more rolling mass), even if it is slightly lighter in density per cubic unit. However, you should still be OK as long as you get the wheels on correctly.

Did you look into the lug nuts for the 17" or 18" Altima alloy wheels? Those might just work for your Max wheels.

The lug nuts did not work and neither did the ones at my local shop. They would not stay torqued down because there was no "shank" on the lug nut so they wouldn't let me leave on the new wheels (I wasn't going to anyways with them like that). I am just going to get some OEM nuts from one of the local Nissan dealers. The wheels and tires fit with no rub from what I have noticed when I drove it around the parking lot. The tires are Dunlop Sport Signature 235-50-18.