2010–2011 Acura MDX Tire Size & Bolt Pattern

Q: Can I fit winter tires in a different size on my 2011 Acura MDX?

Yes — the standard winter-tire fitment pattern is one width step narrower than OEM (e.g. 225 → 215) with the aspect ratio bumped up to preserve overall diameter. Narrower tires increase contact pressure on snow for better traction. The Compatible alternative sizes table includes any winter-friendly options that fall within ±3% OD for this vehicle.

Approved fitments

Tire size	Rim size	PCD (bolt pattern)	Offset	Load index	Speed rating
255/55R18 OEM	R18	5x114.3	N/A	N/A	N/A
255/55R18 OEM	8x18	5x114.3	45mm	104	H
255/50R19 OEM	8.5x19	5x114.3	45mm	103	H
275/45R19	9x19	5x114.3	42mm	103	V
255/45R20	8.5x20	5x114.3	45mm	102	V
285/40R20	10x20	5x114.3	35mm	102	W
255/50R19 OEM	R19	5x114.3	N/A	N/A	N/A

2011 Acura MDX wheel bolt pattern & specs

Bolt pattern (PCD)	5x114.3
Wheel thread / lug size	M12x1.5
Center bore	64.1 mm
Source	adaptitusa-reference

The 2011 Acura MDX uses a 5x114.3 bolt pattern, M12x1.5 lug thread, and a 64.1 mm center bore. Bolt pattern and hub specs are stable across a model generation; always confirm against your vehicle's existing wheel before buying aftermarket wheels, spacers, or adapters. Source: community wheel-fitment reference data. Full wheel specs →

Best by use case

Four tires, four jobs

Best all-season

BFGoodrich

All-Terrain T/A KO2

all-season touring, 50,000-mi warranty

Best budget

Michelin

Defender LTX M/S

Lowest cost per mile in this size; UTQG 800

Best quiet

Falken

Azenis FK510

72 dB cabin noise (EU label); quietest in this size

Compatible alternative sizes for 255/55R18

Sizes within the ETRTO ±3% overall-diameter safe-fit tolerance. Each row links to the size's own page.

Alternative size	%Δ OD	Category	Verdict
`255/60R17`	0.01%	alternative	Safe
`255/50R19`	-0.01%	plus 1	Safe
`255/65R16`	0.03%	alternative	Safe
`255/45R20`	-0.03%	plus 2	Safe
`235/65R17`	-0.05%	winter narrower	Safe

For the full list of alternatives with comfort/handling impact, see 255/55R18 upsize options. To check an arbitrary size pair, use the tire compatibility calculator.

Check a different size against this vehicle

Type any tire size below; we'll compute its overall-diameter delta against the OEM 255/55R18 and verdict using the ETRTO ±3% rule.

Common upgrade paths

Plus-1: 255/50R19; one rim size up, -0.01% OD change. Sharper steering, mild ride penalty, modest cost premium.
Plus-2: 255/45R20; two rim sizes up, -0.03% OD change. Noticeable ride penalty, higher pothole risk, meaningful tire-cost premium.

Use the plus-size calculator to evaluate any rim step against the OEM size.

How to choose tires for the 2011 acura MDX

The 2011 Acura MDX ships from the factory on 255/55R18 tires mounted on R18 wheels. 5 approved fitments are documented for this model year, allowing some flexibility between performance, comfort, and winter compounds. The Compatible alternative sizes table above lists every safe substitution within the ETRTO ±3% overall-diameter tolerance.

Tire choice on the Acura MDX comes down to three trade-offs that matter more than brand loyalty: load index (must equal or exceed the OEM number), speed rating (must match or exceed the placard), and UTQG treadwear (higher means longer life, lower usually means stickier rubber). Owners replacing factory tires with the same compound class, for example all-season for all-season, generally see no change in ride characteristics or fuel economy. Switching categories (performance summer to all-season touring, for example) is where the trade-offs show up at the contact patch.

For 2011 Acura MDX owners considering a plus-size upgrade, the safer option is a Plus-1 step (one rim size up with a 10-point aspect drop and ~10 mm of additional section width). Plus-2 is technically viable on this chassis if the alternative-sizes table lists a Plus-2 candidate within tolerance, but expect a meaningful ride-harshness penalty and a tire-cost premium of 30–60% per tire relative to the OEM fitment. For winter use the recommended pattern is one width step down (e.g. from a 235 to a 225) with the aspect ratio bumped up to preserve overall diameter; narrower tires apply higher contact pressure per square inch on snow, which translates directly into shorter braking distances. The plus-size calculator evaluates any specific rim step against this OEM size.

Before purchasing, verify the tire size on the driver-door placard of your specific 2011 Acura MDX, since trim levels and option packages can shift the original fitment from what is documented here. The placard reading is the authoritative source per FMVSS 110, and dealers will reference the placard rather than aftermarket catalogs when validating warranty claims.

NHTSA-reported issues for 2011 acura MDX

33

Complaints

0

Crashes

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

Top issue category: Tires (General)

Most reported: Tires (General) (23) · Tread / Belt (3) · Sidewall (3) · TPMS (2) · Spare Tire (2)

Reported across: 2001 – 2025 (16 years)

What owners described

Sidewall failure is the most common description, in 14% of these reports. Percentages are shares of the 21 reports covering every model year of the Acura MDX that include a written account; a single report can describe more than one problem, so they do not total 100%.

Reported problem	This subject	All tire complaints	Relative
Sidewall failure	14%	15%	1.0×
Blowout or sudden deflation	10%	20%	0.5×
Loss of control, rollover or collision	10%	8%	1.1×
Tread or belt separation	5%	13%	0.4×
Cracking or dry rot	5%	9%	0.5×
Premature or uneven wear	5%	1%	3.7×

Mileage at failure

7 of these reports state an odometer reading. The middle report is at 31,000 miles, with 8 in 10 falling between 5,530 and 145,000 miles.

In owners' own words

Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA about Acura MDX. Reports are published by NHTSA as filed and are lightly cleaned here only to remove intake codes.

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SIDEWALLS OF THE SPARE TIRE, WHICH WAS STORED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, WAS WEARING THROUGH AT THREE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO MCDANIELS ACURA OF CHARLESTON (2283 SAVANNAH HWY, CHARLESTON, SC 29414, (843) 766-1299) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED NOT TO WORRY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA complaint 1556343 · 2016 vehicle

The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX equipped with Les Schwab Tires, Tire Line: Back Country Touring, Tire Size: 245/50/R20, DOT Number: UP76 DRW. The contact stated that while making a left turn, the front passenger's side tire rolled over a plastic lane divider. The contact then heard air being released from the tire and immediately pulled over into a parking lot. The contact discovered side wall separation on the front passenger's side tire and pulled into gas station to replace the tire with the spare. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 21T002000 (Tires) which the contact linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the tire size was not included in the recall. The tire was not replaced. The vehicle and tire failure mileages were not provided.

NHTSA complaint 1940128 · 2017 vehicle

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATLEY 40 MPH IN A 2001, ACURA MDX RIGHT/FRONT GOODYEAR INTEGRITY TIRE, SIZE: 235/65R17, DOT: 4B87 EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. CONSUMER SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING BEFORE INCIDENT OCCURRED. A TIRE SHOP WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE CAUSE FOR ANY SMOKE OR BURNING SMELLS. THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 5,530 MILES ON TIRE, AND IT WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. *AK *TT *NLM

NHTSA complaint 321499 · 2001 vehicle

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA MDX. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT ALL FOUR MICHELIN CROSS-TERRAIN TIRES ROTTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THREADS WERE CRACKED, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE NORMAL THREAD COUNT WAS 1132,AND THE TIRES CURRENTLY HAD A THREAD COUNT OF 832. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 38500. *AK UPDATED 04/12/07.

NHTSA complaint 617510 · 2002 vehicle

Complaints are voluntarily submitted to the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation and are not verified by NHTSA; they represent owner-reported problems, not proven defects. Counts can be useful as a relative quality signal across comparable tires or vehicles.

Frequently asked questions

What size tires fit a 2011 Acura MDX?

The OEM tire size for the 2011 Acura MDX is 255/55R18 mounted on R18 wheels.. Trim levels and option packages can shift the original fitment; confirm against your specific vehicle's driver-door placard before purchase.

What is the bolt pattern of a 2011 Acura MDX?

The 2011 Acura MDX has a 5x114.3 bolt pattern with a 64.1 mm center bore and M12x1.5 wheel studs. Bolt pattern is consistent across the model generation; confirm against your existing wheel before fitting aftermarket wheels or adapters.

Can I run a different tire size on my 2011 Acura MDX?

Plus-sizing (larger rim, lower aspect) is possible within ±3% of the OEM overall diameter per the ETRTO safe-fit standard. The Compatible alternative sizes table on this page lists every safe option for the OEM size. Always confirm with the manufacturer or a qualified tire shop before deviating from the placard.

Where can I buy tires for my 2011 Acura MDX?

Online tire retailers in our affiliate network carry every size documented for this vehicle. Use the Shop online buttons above to compare prices across them; variance of $20–$40 per tire is common between merchants. The <a href="/tools/tire-install-cost-calculator/">install cost calculator</a> estimates the out-the-door including mount, balance, TPMS, and disposal by state.

What is the recommended tire pressure for the 2011 Acura MDX?

The cold-inflation pressure is printed on the driver-door placard of your specific vehicle and varies by trim, tire size, and loaded vs unloaded condition. Typical OEM front and rear pressures fall between 30 and 36 psi for passenger trims and 32–40 psi for SUV/truck variants, but the placard is the authoritative source.

Can I fit winter tires in a different size on my 2011 Acura MDX?

Yes; the standard winter-tire fitment pattern is one width step narrower than OEM (e.g. 225 → 215) with the aspect ratio bumped up to preserve overall diameter. Narrower tires increase contact pressure on snow for better traction. The Compatible alternative sizes table includes any winter-friendly options that fall within ±3% OD for this vehicle.

How often should I rotate the tires on my 2011 Acura MDX?

Every 5,000–7,500 miles is the typical OEM recommendation for passenger vehicles. AWD vehicles and high-torque trucks benefit from the shorter interval. Documented rotation history is also a tire-warranty prerequisite; most manufacturer treadwear claims require rotation receipts at the warranty inspection.

For broader tire questions; replacement timing, UTQG, EV-specific tires, winter swaps; see the tire FAQ.

Sources for this page

Vehicle owner's manual tire & wheel placard; door-jamb placard on the Acura MDX is the authoritative source for OEM tire size, load index, and cold-inflation pressure for your specific trim.
NHTSA SaferCar; recall lookup for the 2011 Acura MDX.
ETRTO 2024 Standards Manual §2.3; overall-diameter math used for the alternative-size verdicts above.
Tire & Rim Association 2025 Yearbook; load-index to maximum-load reference.