2009 Honda Pilot Tire Size

Q: Can I fit winter tires in a different size on my 2009 Honda Pilot?

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
245/65R17 OEM	R17	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
245/65R17 OEM	7.5x17	N/A	45mm	105	T
245/60R18	7.5x18	N/A	45mm	105	H
255/60R18	8x18	N/A	45mm	106	H
255/55R18	8x18	N/A	45mm	104	H
265/55R18	8.5x18	N/A	42mm	103	H
245/55R19	8x19	N/A	47mm	103	H
265/50R19	8.5x19	N/A	42mm	103	H
265/45R20	9x20	N/A	38mm	101	V

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

Michelin

CrossClimate 2

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

Compatible alternative sizes for 245/65R17

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
`215/80R16`	0.01%	winter narrower	Safe
`265/60R17`	-0.07%	wider	Safe
`225/65R18`	-0.08%	plus 1	Safe
`265/65R16`	0.08%	alternative	Safe
`245/70R16`	-0.12%	alternative	Safe

For the full list of alternatives with comfort/handling impact, see 245/65R17 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 245/65R17 and verdict using the ETRTO ±3% rule.

Common upgrade paths

Plus-1: 225/65R18; one rim size up, -0.08% OD change. Sharper steering, mild ride penalty, modest cost premium.
Plus-2: 245/55R19; two rim sizes up, 0.24% 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 2009 honda pilot

The 2009 Honda Pilot ships from the factory on 245/65R17 tires mounted on R17 wheels. 8 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 Honda Pilot 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 2009 Honda Pilot 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 2009 Honda Pilot, 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 2009 honda pilot

3

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Top issue category: Tires (General)

Most reported: Tires (General) (2) · TPMS (1)

Reported across: 2009 – 2009 (1 year)

What owners described

Sidewall failure appears in 23% of these reports; about 1.5× as often as across all tire complaints. Percentages are shares of the 75 reports covering every model year of the Honda Pilot 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	23%	15%	1.5×
Blowout or sudden deflation	15%	20%	0.7×
Cracking or dry rot	11%	9%	1.1×
Loss of control, rollover or collision	9%	8%	1.1×
Pressure-monitoring (TPMS) fault	4%	2%	1.7×
Premature or uneven wear	3%	1%	2.1×

Mileage at failure

37 of these reports state an odometer reading. The middle report is at 18,000 miles, with 8 in 10 falling between 2,200 and 79,000 miles.

In owners' own words

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

MICHELIN LTX MS 245/65R17. 61,000 MILE, 4 MONTHS TO 5 YEARS AFTER INSTALLED. FOUND SMALL CRACKS ON TREAD AND SIDEWALL BECAUSE OF DRY ROT. AND TIRES LOST PRESSURE QUICKLY. REMAINED 4/32" TREAD, BUT FEAR TO POTENTIAL DANGER. I'M IN OHIO, THE RUBBER SUPPOSE NOT TO DRY ROT SO QUICKLY. I CALLED MICHELIN CUSTOMER CARE, THEY SAID TIRES PASSED 60K WARRANTY. I MENTIONED THEM THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT RELATED TO MILLAGE, BUT TIME. I BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM IS MATERIAL THAT DRY ROTS TOO QUICKLY.

NHTSA complaint 1185083 · 2009 vehicle

THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 HONDA PILOT EQUIPPED WITH TOYO OPEN COUNTRY AT TIRES. THE TIRE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO TREES AND THE MEDIAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG; DEPLOYED, HOWEVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND LATER DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint 1273450 · 2007 vehicle

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR CONTINUOUSLY LEAKED OUT OF ALL FOUR TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COMMONWEALTH HONDA (6 COMMONWEALTH DR, LAWRENCE, MA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM IN EACH WHEEL WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint 1609969 · 2012 vehicle

THE FOUR GOOD YEAR TIRES ON MY 2011 HONDA PILOT ARE DEFECTIVE (PREMATURE WEAR). THE DEALER RECOMMENDED I DISCUSS THE PROBLEM WITH MY LOCAL GOOD YEAR DEALER WHICH I DID. I WAS INFORMED BY GOOD YEAR THAT THE TIRES ON MY PILOT WERE SUBSTANDARD AND SAID THE REASON WAS HONDA HAD REQUESTED TIRES WITHOUT LONG-WEAR CAPABILITIES. OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS OFFERED TO SELL MY NEW TIRES FOR OUR PILOT AT $140,00 EACH. THIS SITUATION STINKS AND I BELIEVE WOULD MAKE A GREAT CLASS ACTION SUIT. HOW MANY OTHERS ARE FACING THE PROSPECT OF HAVING TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES FOR THEIR PILOT DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR? WHY WOULD SOMEONE WANT TO PAY $35,000 FOR A NEW PILOT WITH SUBSTANDARD, DEFECTIVE TIRES?

NHTSA complaint 963240 · 2011 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 2009 Honda Pilot?

The OEM tire size for the 2009 Honda Pilot is 245/65R17 mounted on R17 wheels.. Trim levels and option packages can shift the original fitment; confirm against your specific vehicle's driver-door placard before purchase.

Can I run a different tire size on my 2009 Honda Pilot?

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 2009 Honda Pilot?

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 2009 Honda Pilot?

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 2009 Honda Pilot?

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 2009 Honda Pilot?

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 Honda Pilot is the authoritative source for OEM tire size, load index, and cold-inflation pressure for your specific trim.
NHTSA SaferCar; recall lookup for the 2009 Honda Pilot.
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.