The Nissan Kicks has established itself as a practical and efficient subcompact crossover, offering impressive versatility for urban driving. However, when winter arrives with its challenging road conditions, many Kicks owners consider installing dedicated winter tires and rims. Selecting the right winter wheel package requires understanding the specific rim sizes and available options for your Nissan Kicks. This comprehensive guide will explore everything you need to know about winter rim sizes for your Nissan Kicks.

Factory Wheel Specifications for the Nissan Kicks

Before selecting winter rims, it’s essential to understand the factory specifications of your vehicle. The Nissan Kicks comes with different wheel configurations depending on the trim level:

• S trim: 16-inch steel wheels with P215/65R16 all-season tires
• SV trim: 17-inch alloy wheels with P215/60R17 all-season tires
• SR trim: 17-inch alloy wheels with P215/60R17 all-season tires (different design)
• Premium trims: Some models offer 19-inch alloy wheels with P225/45R19 all-season tires

Understanding these factory specifications helps determine suitable winter rim options that maintain proper vehicle handling and ensure compatibility with your Kicks model.

Bolt Pattern Considerations

The bolt pattern is critical when selecting winter rims for your Nissan Kicks, and there’s an important distinction between trim levels:

• S trim models typically have a 4×100 bolt pattern (4 lugs, 100mm bolt circle diameter)
• Higher trim levels like SV and SR may have a 5×114.3 bolt pattern (also called 5×4.5 inches)

This distinction is crucial when purchasing winter wheels. Always verify your specific model’s bolt pattern before ordering winter rims to ensure proper fitment.

Recommended Winter Rim Sizes

For winter driving, many automotive experts recommend downsizing slightly from your factory wheel size. This approach offers several advantages:

16-Inch Winter Rim Option

The 16-inch wheel size is popular for winter use on the Nissan Kicks for several reasons:

• Provides more sidewall height for better impact absorption over winter road imperfections
• Generally less expensive than larger wheel options
• Compatible with a wide range of winter tire options
• Typically lighter weight, which can improve acceleration and braking in winter conditions

For Kicks models with 17-inch or 19-inch factory wheels, downsizing to 16-inch wheels for winter is often recommended, provided they clear the brake callipers.

Specific 16-Inch Specifications

When selecting 16-inch winter rims, consider these specifications for optimal fitment:

• Size: 16×6.5 inches
• Offset (ET): Around 40mm
• Center bore: 60.1mm (hub centric)
• Bolt pattern: 4×100 or 5×114.3, depending on your specific model

17-Inch Winter Rim Option

If your Nissan Kicks came factory-equipped with 17-inch wheels, you might prefer to maintain the same wheel size for winter:

• Maintains the same overall tire diameter as your factory setup
• Provides a balance between performance and winter practicality
• Often available in the same style as your factory wheels for consistent appearance

When selecting 17-inch winter rims, look for these specifications:

• Size: 17×7 inches
• Offset (ET): Around 35mm
• Center bore: 60.1mm
• Bolt pattern: 4×100 or 5×114.3, depending on your specific model

Winter Tire and Rim Package Options

Many tire retailers offer complete winter wheel packages for the Nissan Kicks, which typically include:

Steel Rim Packages

Steel rims are popular for winter use due to their durability and affordability:

• 16-inch steel wheels (typically 16×6.5 with ET40 offset)
• Hub centric design (60.1mm bore)
• Black finish that resists showing winter road salt damage
• Pre-mounted with quality winter tires (commonly 205/60R16)
• Complete with TPMS sensors or TPMS service kits

These packages provide a cost-effective solution while ensuring proper fitment and winter performance.

Alloy Rim Packages

For those who prefer aesthetics alongside functionality, alloy winter wheel packages offer:

• Lightweight 16-inch or 17-inch alloy wheels
• Various finishes, including black, gunmetal, or silver
• Enhanced appearance compared to steel wheels
• Pre-mounted with premium winter tires
• Complete with TPMS sensors

While more expensive than steel options, alloy wheels offer weight savings that can improve winter driving dynamics.

Winter Tire Sizing for Different Rims

When changing from factory rim sizes to winter-specific sizes, maintaining a similar overall tire diameter is crucial. Here are the recommended winter tire sizes for different rim options:

For 16-Inch Winter Rims

• 205/60R16 – This is the most common winter tire size for 16-inch Kicks winter packages
• 215/65R16 – Factory size for S trim models with 16-inch wheels

For 17-Inch Winter Rims

• 215/60R17 – The factory size that maintains proper speedometer calibration
• 205/55R17 – A slightly narrower option that can perform better in deep snow

For 19-Inch Winter Rims (Not Typically Recommended)

• 225/45R19 – Factory size, though generally not ideal for winter conditions

The narrower 205mm-width options are often preferred for winter use, as they can cut through snow more effectively than wider tires.

Hub Centric vs. Lug Centric Rims

When selecting winter rims for your Nissan Kicks, understanding the difference between hub-centric and lug-centric wheels is important:

Hub Centric Rims

Hub-centric wheels have a center bore that precisely matches your vehicle’s hub diameter (60.1mm for the Nissan Kicks). Benefits include:

• More accurate centering of the wheel on the vehicle
• Reduced vibration at highway speeds
• Less stress on wheel lugs and studs
• Improved overall ride quality

For winter driving, where road conditions already create additional vibrations, hub-centric wheels are highly recommended.

Lug Centric Rims

Lug-centric wheels rely on the lug nuts to center the wheel on the hub. While less expensive, they may require:

• Hub-centric rings to adapt to your vehicle’s hub diameter
• More precise torquing of lug nuts
• Regular checking of lug nut tightness

Most quality winter wheel packages for the Nissan Kicks include hub-centric wheels or the necessary hub rings to ensure proper fitment.

TPMS Considerations for Winter Rims

The Nissan Kicks features a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that requires special consideration when installing winter wheels:

• Winter wheel packages should include either new TPMS sensors or service kits
• Nissan vehicles require an OBDII scan tool to register new TPMS sensors
• Some specialized tire shops can modify new sensor IDs to match your original sensors
• Without proper TPMS setup, your dashboard warning light will remain illuminated

Plan for TPMS service when purchasing winter wheels to avoid warning lights and ensure proper tire pressure monitoring during the winter months.

Winter Rim Maintenance Tips

To maximize the lifespan of your winter rims, follow these maintenance recommendations:

• Regular Cleaning: Wash wheels frequently to remove road salt and chemicals that cause corrosion
• Proper Storage: Store summer wheels in a clean, dry area away from direct sunlight
• Inflation Checks: Monitor tire pressure weekly during winter temperature fluctuations
• Torque Verification: Re-torque wheel nuts after the first 100 km of driving after installation
• Spring Inspection: Inspect wheels for damage before storing at the end of winter

These simple maintenance steps will help preserve both your winter and summer wheelsets.

When to Install and Remove Winter Rims

Timing your winter wheel installation and removal properly ensures maximum benefit:

• Install winter wheels when overnight temperatures consistently fall below 7°C
• Remove winter wheels when spring temperatures regularly exceed 7°C
• Avoid using winter tires year-round, as they wear rapidly in warm conditions
• Allow for proper seasonal transition time in your maintenance schedule

Proper timing extends the life of both your winter and summer tire sets while ensuring optimal performance during each season.

Nissan Kicks: Select the Right Rim Size 

Selecting the appropriate winter rim size for your Nissan Kicks involves understanding your vehicle’s specifications and winter driving needs. For most Kicks owners, 16-inch winter wheel packages offer the ideal balance of performance, cost-effectiveness, and winter capability. Whether choosing steel rims for durability or alloy rims for aesthetics, ensuring the correct bolt pattern and hub fitment is essential.

Remember that a complete winter wheel package with proper rims, winter-specific tires, and functioning TPMS sensors provides the best preparation for winter driving. This investment not only improves safety but also protects your factory wheels from harsh winter conditions, potentially extending their lifespan and maintaining your vehicle’s value.

Disclaimer: Content contained in this post is for informational purposes only and may include features and options from US or international models. Please contact the dealership for more information or to confirm vehicle, feature availability.