To read a tire size, look at the numbers and letters printed on the tire's sidewall. For example, a common tire size might be shown as 185/75R14 89T. Here's what each part means:
- 185 : This is the tire width in millimeters, measured from sidewall to sidewall.
- 75 : This is the aspect ratio, which is the height of the tire's sidewall expressed as a percentage of the tire's width. In this case, the sidewall height is 75% of 185 mm.
- R : This letter indicates the tire's construction type; "R" stands for radial construction.
- 14 : This number is the diameter of the wheel rim in inches that the tire fits.
- 89 : This is the load index, which tells you the maximum load the tire can carry.
- T : This is the speed rating, indicating the maximum speed the tire can safely maintain.
Additional details:
- The tire type may be indicated by a letter before the width, such as "P" for passenger car tires or "LT" for light truck tires.
- The tire size can also be found in your vehicle's owner's manual, on a sticker inside the driver's door jamb, glove box, or fuel door.
- Using the correct tire size is important for safety, handling, and accurate speedometer readings.
In summary, the tire size format is typically: [Tire Type][Width in mm]/[Aspect Ratio] [Construction Type][Rim Diameter in inches] [Load Index][Speed Rating] For example: P215/65R16 95H means a passenger tire, 215 mm wide, with an aspect ratio of 65%, radial construction, fits a 16-inch rim, has a load index of 95, and a speed rating of H
