1998 Toyota Tacoma Tire Size

Q: Can I fit winter tires in a different size on my 1998 Toyota Tacoma?

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
225/75R15 OEM	R15	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
225/75R15 OEM	6x15	N/A	10mm	102	S
265/75R15 OEM	7x15	N/A	15mm	N/A	N/A
195/75R14 OEM	R14	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
215/70R14 OEM	R14	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
265/75R15 OEM	R15	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Best by use case

Four tires, four jobs

Best all-season

Continental

CrossContact LX 225/75R15

all-season touring

Best budget

Toyo

Extensa A/S II

Lowest cost per mile in this size; UTQG 620

Compatible alternative sizes for 225/75R15

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
`195/80R16`	-0.01%	plus 1	Safe
`205/70R17`	0.04%	plus 2	Safe
`215/85R14`	0.36%	winter narrower	Safe
`225/70R16`	0.40%	plus 1	Safe
`225/80R14`	-0.40%	alternative	Safe

For the full list of alternatives with comfort/handling impact, see 225/75R15 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 225/75R15 and verdict using the ETRTO ±3% rule.

Common upgrade paths

Plus-1: 195/80R16; one rim size up, -0.01% OD change. Sharper steering, mild ride penalty, modest cost premium.
Plus-2: 205/70R17; two rim sizes up, 0.04% 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 1998 toyota tacoma

The 1998 Toyota Tacoma ships from the factory on 225/75R15 tires mounted on R15 wheels. 4 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 Toyota Tacoma 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 1998 Toyota Tacoma 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 1998 Toyota Tacoma, 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 1998 toyota tacoma

32

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Top issue category: Tires (General)

Most reported: Tires (General) (19) · Tread / Belt (9) · Sidewall (4)

Reported across: 1998 – 1998 (1 year)

What owners described

Blowout or sudden deflation is the most common description, in 20% of these reports. Percentages are shares of the 210 reports covering every model year of the Toyota Tacoma 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
Blowout or sudden deflation	20%	20%	1.0×
Sidewall failure	15%	15%	1.0×
Cracking or dry rot	12%	9%	1.3×
Loss of control, rollover or collision	10%	8%	1.1×
Tread or belt separation	8%	13%	0.6×
Bubble or bulge in the tire	3%	6%	0.5×

Mileage at failure

74 of these reports state an odometer reading. The middle report is at 12,000 miles, with 8 in 10 falling between 2,000 and 133,000 miles.

In owners' own words

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

I WAS TRAVELING DOWN AN INTERSTATE WHEN A REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE IS A TOYO CROSS COUNTRY A/T. HE TIRE SEPARATED COMPLETELY LEAVING THE SIDEWALLS ON THE RIM AND THE TREAD & BELTS & REST OF THE TIRE TORE OFF IN ONE PIECE. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT/ INJURY. I LOOKED UP RECALLS AND FOUND A RECALL exists. I DID NOT RECEIVE A NOTICE. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT TOYO AND BEEN ON HOLD FOR OVER AN HOUR AT A TIME, LEFT MESSAGE WITHOUT RETURN CALL. THE TIRES HAVE LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON THEM. I AM NOW VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE THREE REMAINING TIRES. THERE WAS ONLY MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK.

NHTSA complaint 1006776 · 2005 vehicle

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA TACOMA EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH RUGGED TRAIL TIRES, LINE SIZE P265/70 R16. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE HAVING REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, HE NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES HAD CRACKED SIDEWALLS. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE DOT AND THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,245. UPDATED 06/10/14*LJ UPDATED 8/23/2017

NHTSA complaint 1060750 · 2012 vehicle

MY LEFT REAR BFGOODRICH RUGGED TERRAIN T/A SIZE P265/70/R17 113T M+S 06-58633-01 WLA195 (DOT BFT6 0011)(E4 0244068 02 42227-S E4)(777 T60 011) EXPERIENCED RAPID AIR LOSS DUE TO A RUPTURE/TREAD SEPARATION IN 5 LOCATIONS IN THE SIDEWALL/TREAD AREA. THE SIDEWALL/TREAD RUPTURED/SEPARATED DURING USE, RESULTING IN RAPID AIR LOSS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15T016000. TIRE WAS INFLATED TO 32.5 PSI. THE ON-BOARD TOYOTA TPMS NOTIFICATION PREVENTED AN ACCIDENT OR ADDITIONAL DAMAGE. PHOTOGRAPHS OF SEPARATION DAMAGE ARE AVAILABLE. SEARS HAS TIRE.

NHTSA complaint 1216776 · 2007 vehicle

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA TACOMA EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE FR710 TIRES, SIZE: P205/70R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE EXHIBITED BUBBLES ON THE SIDEWALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE REPLACED THE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS A REPLACEMENT TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,180. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA complaint 1223205 · 2008 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 1998 Toyota Tacoma?

The OEM tire size for the 1998 Toyota Tacoma is 225/75R15 mounted on R15 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 1998 Toyota Tacoma?

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 1998 Toyota Tacoma?

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 1998 Toyota Tacoma?

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 1998 Toyota Tacoma?

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 1998 Toyota Tacoma?

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 Toyota Tacoma is the authoritative source for OEM tire size, load index, and cold-inflation pressure for your specific trim.
NHTSA SaferCar; recall lookup for the 1998 Toyota Tacoma.
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.