Tires: correct tire size, tire placard, nissan pathfinder

Question
Hi! I bought a used 1997 Nissan pathfinder SE. The tires that came on it are P235/75 R15.  The owners manual states for 97 Pathfinder LE = 235/70R15 but for a 97 Pathfinder SE = 265/70 R15. I just want good regular tires- no off roading.  Should I go with 265/70 as manual indicates, or is it ok to get newer 235/75s?  Also, why does same year different edition make such a difference in tires? Why would the LE use 235/70 but the SE use 265/70? Thank you very much for your help! I wanted to make sure I get the right tires, but being a girl, I don't want to end up getting talked into something I don't need... like the last time I went to Autozone- guy sold me a high performance oil filter when all I needed was a basic one that wasn't as pricey!

Answer
Indyanna,

Just to verify what the owners manual says: On every vehicle sold in the US - and I understand this is a worldwide practice as well - there is a sticker – commonly called the vehicle tire placard - that lists the original tire size and the proper pressure for that size.  The placard is usually located on a doorpost or in the glove box – but sometimes it is located in the trunk or on the fuel filler door.

BTW, it doesn't matter who makes the tire or what pressure is listed on the tire's sidewall, if the tire size is the same as the placard, then the pressure listed on placard is also appropriate.

If the placard says P265/70R15, that is what I would go with.

There are a lot of reasons why vehicle manufacturers would use different sizes with what appears to be minor differences in the vehicle - and one of them is load carrying capacity.  That might be the case here.