What do tire numbers mean?

What are the 3 numbers on tyres?

The first three numbers, in this case 195, refer to the section width of the tyre. This is the measurement, in millimetres, from the tyre’s inner sidewall to its outer sidewall.

What are the three numbers on tire size?

The three numbers on tire size represent the width, height, and diameter of the tire, respectively. The width is measured in millimeters and indicates how wide the tire is from side to side. The height is measured in a height-to-width ratio. The diameter is measured in inches and tells you the size of the rim or wheel that the tire will fit onto.

How to read tyre size?

When it comes to how to read tyre size, the first five digits of the code are the ones to concentrate on. The first three digits belong together and indicate the width of the tyre (in millimetres). In the example above, the tyre is 195mm wide. The two digits following the first slash are what is known as the aspect ratio.

What is the second number on a tyre?

The second number refers to the profile of the tyre or the height of the tyre’s sidewall. The number isn’t in millimetres but is instead an aspect ratio measurement of how the height relates to total width. In our example, the tyres profile is 45% of the total 235mm width. Unnecessarily tricky? Maybe, but stick with us.

Why do the numbers on tires matter?

The numbers on tires matter for a number of reasons. For starters, it tells you the size of the tire, which is important to know. Putting the wrong sized tires on your car can lead to a number of hazards, such as rubbing against the body of your vehicle and catching important electrical lines.

What does XL mean on a tire?

extra load

XL (or Reinforced) tyres are ‘extra load’ tyres – they indicate that a tyre is reinforced to be able to withstand a higher load than other tyres of the same size. This is done through a number of ways, but most usually by adding strengthening material to either the tyre’s bead or face.

What does XL mean on tyres?

A reinforced or XL (extra load) tyre is a specially reinforced tyre which carries heavier loads than tyres of the same size. These types of tyres are stronger and more hardwearing than standard tyres, and are often used for large vehicles that carry heavy loads or large family cars, such as 4x4s.

Why are XL tires called extra load?

Hence the name “Extra Load.” Because of this, they tend to be used in situations that require a higher load capacity or better tire safety. If a tire is an XL model, it will be noted on the sidewall in one of these ways: Extra Load, XL or Reinforced.

Are XL tires out of date?

Extra Load (XL) or reinforced tires have a higher price tag than regular ones. If you have Extra Load (XL) or reinforced tires on your current set, they could be out of date. Check tire pressure regularly. Extra Load (XL) or reinforced tires may show wear over time and require replacement sooner than regular ones. Do XL tires ride rough?

What vehicles need XL tyres?

In combination with a higher tyre pressure, XL tyres have a greater load-bearing capacity and are particularly suitable for use with minibuses, off-road vehicles and SUVs. Which vehicles need XL tyres? Remember these three important points when choosing tyres: The tyre size you should use is easy to find out.

Can I put 55 tires instead of 50?

There is not a whole lot of difference between a 50 and 55 series tire in terms of ride or handing. You may not notice any difference at all, depending on the composition and construction of the tires themselves. The new tire is going to be taller, and have a larger circumference, but not much.

What’s the difference between a 55 and a 50?

The 50 is a lower profile. The 55 has almost the exact profile as a 180/55. I have Metzeler sportec M3’s on there, and the rear wheel is 6 inch. What they said. Going to the 50 tire will be about like going up one tooth in the rear, barely noticeable.

Can I use 205/60/16 tires instead of 50 profile?

Conclusion…if you want to use 60 profile in place of your stock 50 profile, on the same existing wheels, you would need to use 205/60/16’s. Three quarters of an inch narrower tires. Rolling diameter = 205 times 60% times 2, plus 406.40 = 652.40mm or 25.685″

How do I Choose an alternative tyre size?

Choosing an alternative tyre size usually requires changing both the tyre and wheel diameter. If you fit a lower tyre diameter, the overall profile will automatically be lower than your previous tyres, unless you use a wider wheel to compensate (this, of course, would require a tyre with a matching internal diameter).

What is the ruling difference between 45 and 50 profile tires?

The ruling difference between 45 and 50 profile tires is in their sidewall. While it is true that the difference between the sidewall and aspect ratio of 45 and 50 profile tires is just 5%, 5% can make a lot of difference. Calculating the 5% percentage differences for a 195mm tire will give a 9.75mm. This is enough difference to effect a change.

What does 215 55R17 mean?

You find your tire size on the side of your tire. You’ll see a number like P215/55R17 97V. The 215 is the width in mm, 55 is the aspect ratio and 17 is the diameter.

Tire sizes are easy to understand once you learn how to read them. On this page you’ll find a color-coded explanation of the 215-55R17 tire code. This number indicates that your tire has a width of 215 millimeters. The tire size was designed to fit rims or wheels that are 17 inches in diameter.

How tall is a 215/55r17 tire?

Below are the most common tire sizing information in inches: 215/55R17 Height – How tall is a 215/55R17 tire in inches? This tire size is 26.311 inches tall. 215/55R17 Width in inches – How wide is a 215/55R17 tire? This tire size is 8.465 inches wide (tread width).

What does 215 mean on a tire?

The first number in these measurements indicates what your tire’s width is. Take 215/55R17, 225/55R17 and 235R55/17 for an example. It’s clear that 215, 225 and 235 are the widths of your tires measured in millimeters. 215 vs. 225 vs. 235 Tires: What Are The Differences?

What is the difference between 215 and 55?

215 is Section width in millimeters, 55 is aspect ratio, means the sidewall height is 55% of 215 (Section width), R is for Radial, 17 is Rim diameter in inches and 94 is load Index (1477 Lbs per tire load carrying capability) and V is speed symbol ( 240/hr or 149mph). My stock tires are HT 225/60 R17. Can I put 225/65 R17 tires?

What does 33 tyres mean?

33 is the tire height, or diameter (inches) 12.50 is the section width (inches) R represents the carcass construction (radial) 17 is the wheel diameter (inches) 105 is the load index.

What does 33 mean on a tire?

The 33” refers to the width of the tire (285) multiplied by the height percentage of the sidewall (75), in millimeters, x2 because there are two sidewalls, divided by 25.4 (inches) plus the wheel size in inches (16”). Phew!!! That’s a mouthful and a lot to digest at once so let’s break it down into a simple formula.

Is a 33-inch tire a good size for a 4×4?

A 33-inch tire is a good option for a serious 4×4 vehicle that can still handle and drive decently on normal roads you drive daily. What size are 33-inch tires, and how does that translate to millimeters? The difficulty is that a 33-inch tire could mean many different tire sizes depending on the rim size.

Are 285 wide tires the same as 33” tires?

That’s a mouthful and a lot to digest at once so let’s break it down into a simple formula. YES, 285 wide tires are the same as 33” tires although 285 is the tread width in millimeters and 33″ is the tire diameter. 285/75/16 is usually the accepted metric equivalent size for 33’s. Let’s see what that looks like in a formula form

What does 225 50 mean?

225 identifies the tire section width, which is the measurement of the tire from sidewall to sidewall in millimeters. This measurement varies depending on the rim to which it is fitted. (There are 25.4 millimeters per 1 inch.) 50 is the two-figure aspect ratio.

What does 225 mean on a tire?

This number indicates that your tire has a width of 225 millimeters. The tire size was designed to fit rims or wheels that are 17 inches in diameter. This number means that your tire has an aspect ratio of 50%. In other words, your tire’s sidewall height (from the edge of the rim to the tire’s tread) is 50% of the width.

What does 225-50R17 mean?

On this page you’ll find a color-coded explanation of the 225-50R17 tire code. 225. This number indicates that your tire has a width of 225 millimeters. 50. This number means that your tire has an aspect ratio of 50%. In other words, your tire’s sidewall height (from the edge of the rim to the tire’s tread) is 50% of the width.

What is a 225/50/17 tire?

The diameter is measured in inches and tells you the size of the rim or wheel that the tire will fit onto. For example, a tire with a width of 225, a height of 50, and a diameter of 17 would be considered a 225/50/17 tire. Every tire sidewall contains the tire type, tire width, aspect ratio, and construction.

What is the sidewall height of a 225 mm tire?

This number indicates that your tire has a width of 225 millimeters. This number means that your tire has an aspect ratio of 50%. In other words, your tire’s sidewall height (from the edge of the rim to the tire’s tread) is 50% of the width. In this case, the sidewall height works out to be 112 millimeters.

How do I read tire codes?

The first two numbers of this grouping indicate the week of the year your tire was manufactured. The final two digits indicate the year that your tire was manufactured. For example, if your final four DOT numbers are 3020, your tire was manufactured in the 30th week of 2020.

How do I know if my tire has a dot code?

Locate your tire’s DOT code. Check the sidewall for “DOT” followed by up to 13 letters and numbers. A tire’s sidewall is the smooth part of the tire outside the rim before the tread starts.

How do I find the year of my tire?

Locate the DOT code on the sidewall of your tire. The code consists of the letters “DOT” followed by up to 13 numbers and letters. Read the last 4 digits of the DOT code. The first 2 numbers tell you the week of the year the tire was made, and the last 2 numbers indicate the year.

What is a tire code?

Your tire code, which usually has the largest print of all characters on the sidewall of tires (aside from the tire and brand name), has seven main components. The image below shows an example, which we then break down point by point. 1. “P” – passenger car

What do the letters on a tire number mean?

Though they aren’t part of the tire number, they’re still important factors when it comes to choosing the best tire for your vehicle and application. The tire class is indicated at the beginning of the tire code. Typically, you’ll see the letters P, LT, or ST, or no letters at all.

What is the meaning of 185 65r15?

185 is the width in millimetres of the tyres cross section. 65 is the Aspect Ratio, it is the ratio of the sidewall height to the cross section width. 15 inches, stands for the diameter of the wheel that the tyre is designed to fit.

What does 185/65R15 88H mean?

On this page you will find a detailed explanation of the 185/65R15 88H tire code. This number indicates the tire has a width of 185 millimeters. This number means that your tire has an aspect ratio of 65 %. In other words, your tire’s sidewall height (from the edge of the rim to the tire’s tread) is 65 % of the width.

How tall is a 185/65R15 tire?

Below are the most common tire sizing information in inches: 185/65R15 Height – How tall is a 185/65R15 tire in inches? This tire size is 24.469 inches tall. 185/65R15 Width in inches – How wide is a 185/65R15 tire? This tire size is 7.283 inches wide (tread width). What’s the Sidewall Size of a 185/65R15 Tire in Inches?

What does 185 mean on a tire?

This number indicates that your tire has a width of 185 millimeters. This number means that your tire has an aspect ratio of 55%. In other words, your tire’s sidewall height (from the edge of the rim to the tire’s tread) is 55% of the width.

What does 185-65r15 mean?

Tire sizes are easy to understand once you learn how to read them. On this page you’ll find a color-coded explanation of the 185-65R15 tire code. This number indicates that your tire has a width of 185 millimeters. The tire size was designed to fit rims or wheels that are 15 inches in diameter.

What does LT mean on a tire?

Light Truck-metric

An “LT” on your sidewall before that long string of numbers and letters denoting your tire size signifies the tire is a “Light Truck-metric” size; it was designed for use on a vehicle that carries heavy cargo loads or tows a large trailer.

What are Lt tires?

LT stands for “light truck,” which refers to a particular class of passenger tire, but the goal of designing LT tires is for very specific heavy-duty tasks. An LT tire is essentially a reinforced tire with thicker, stiffer sidewalls and a deeper tread compared to the p-metric tire commonly used for passenger vehicles.

Are Lt tires better than passenger tires?

While LT tires are more expensive than passenger tires, they are more durable because they have extra material under the tread and in the sidewall that protects the tire from damages. Additionally, manufacturers often add extra steel belts, thicker rubber, and a deeper tread on LT tires. Read More: How Long Do Off-Road Tires Last?

What is Lt sizing?

Most passenger tires today have metric or “P-metric” sizes. These are the sizes most of you are probably familiar with, such as 205/55R16. But there’s another system of sizing out there, LT Sizing, used primarily for light truck and off road tires. LT sizes can be confusing because they’re so different from the sizes you’re used to seeing.

How do I know if my tires are Lt?

As a first-time car owner, you might not know how to read your tire in the initial stages. So how do you know your tires are LT? If you look at your tire sidewall, you’ll see a DOT serial number and some numbers that represent details of your tire size from the aspect ratio, diameter, and load capacity.

Can you put 65 tires on 60?

Can you use a snow tire with a 65 aspect ratio to replace a normal 60 aspect ratio tire? Yes, however you should reduce the width so that the wheel circumference does not change excessively (+- 3% is a rule of thumb).

What size rims do you need for new tires?

The average driver may not know exactly what they are looking for when they shop for new tires, but as long as you keep a few fundamental rules in mind, replacing tires and rims is easy. When you look for new tires, you’ll come across size names such as 235/75R15 or P215/65R15.

Should I buy a different tire size?

Once you choose a tire size for your vehicle, you’ll want to stick with that size when you buy replacements. The reason for this is that a differently sized tire can confuse your speedometer and even cause damage to your vehicle’s anti-lock braking systems and stability system calibrations.

Are new tires better than old tires?

Also, the tread on your new tires is softer than the old ones (age makes it harder) and so will have a higher rolling resistance (i.e. better traction). Fuel mileage almost always drops with new tires for this reason. I had the tires changed out yesterday with Michelin Primacy MXV4’s that are 235/60/R17.

What does H mean on a tire?

“H” represents the speed rating, which is how fast the tires can go based on their load capacity. This rating ranges from A – Z. “H” indicates a speed rating of up to 130 mph.

What does h mean in a tyre rating table?

As with the load index, this letter references a look-up table which indicates the maximum permissible speed of a tyre. In this example, “H” means the vehicle has a maximum speed of 130mph under the maximum load. “Although a speed rating table references the maximum speed a tyre can move under load, you should not use this as a threshold.

What is the difference between H & T tires?

H ranks higher than T in supported speed limits, with a value of 130 miles per hour or 210 kilometers per hour. You will spot tires with H on the sidewall on sedans, SUVs, and crossover SUVs. Such vehicles have a high horsepower, which translates to more speed. You will also see them on luxury vehicles.

Where are H tires on a car?

You will spot tires with H on the sidewall on sedans, SUVs, and crossover SUVs. Such vehicles have a high horsepower, which translates to more speed. You will also see them on luxury vehicles. According to automobile pundits, H tires are on the lower end of sports cars.

Are H rated tires safe?

Opting for H-rated tires is fine – provided that you keep to the 130-mph top speed limit instead of the 149-mph limit supported by a V-rated tire. To add, make sure to use the same speed rating on all fours for best performance. As a precaution, never opt for tires with a speed rating two tiers lower than the original requirement for your vehicle.

What does 195 65 R15 mean?

A 195/65 R15 91H tyre has a tyre width of 195 mm, which is indicated by the first digit. In addition, its diameter is 15 inches – this is also the size of the rim on which the tyre will be mounted. Thereby the two values are known that are important for the correct rim size.

What does 195-65r15 mean?

On this page you’ll find a color-coded explanation of the 195-65R15 tire code. This number indicates that your tire has a width of 195 millimeters. This number means that your tire has an aspect ratio of 65%. In other words, your tire’s sidewall height (from the edge of the rim to the tire’s tread) is 65% of the width.

What is the sidewall size of a 195/65r15 tire?

What’s the Sidewall Size of a 195/65R15 Tire in Inches? This tire size has 4.99 inch sidewalls. Here’s some other common questions asked about this tire size: What size rims fit a 195/65R15 tire? This tire will fit onto 15 inch wheels. What is the next size up from 195/65R15? The tire sizes below are the next sizes up from 195/65R15.

What does 65 mean on a tire?

This number indicates that your tire has a width of 195 millimeters. 65. This number means that your tire has an aspect ratio of 65%. In other words, your tire’s sidewall height (from the edge of the rim to the tire’s tread) is 65% of the width.