What Numbers On Tires Mean – Tires have lots of numbers and symbols on the side of the wall, and they can be a mystery if you don’t know what they mean. Each number and symbol has a special meaning, and there are other important things you should know about your tires!
The Tier Agent Database does this for you. Search for your vehicle by make, year, model and trim and we’ll find the right tires for your vehicle.
What Numbers On Tires Mean
The first number measures the width and looks like this: [205/65 R 15]. 205 on the tire means it is 205mm wide when looking up at the top of the tyre.
How To Read Off Road Tire Sidewalls
The second number, 65, is the aspect ratio, which means that the height of the tire is 65% of the width of the tire for this example. The larger the aspect ratio, the larger the sidewall of the tire.
The description of the tire character refers to the tire’s design: R for radial, D for diagonal, and RF for run flat.
Depending on your tire size you will see a number and letter combination such as 94H. The number “94” is the load indicator. This number is related to the tire’s weight capacity. The higher the number, the greater the bearing capacity of the tire. The load index ranges from 0 to 150.
When you change your tires, they should be the same or higher, never lower. For example, if your current load index is 103, a tire of the same size with a load index of 112 will work for you, but a tire of the same size with a load index of 94 will not. If you replace your tires and the new ones have a low load rating, the tire has a higher chance of blistering and eventually a flat.
How Tyre Sizes Work
There is a letter next to the bar indicator. In the example above, “H” is the speed rating. This is the maximum continuous speed of the tire. Each tire has the same speed as approved by the DOT (Department of Transportation) and the tire manufacturer.
Alphabetically, the speed rating increases as the letters progress from A-Z — except for the letter H, which we’ll cover in a minute. The most common speed ratings range from L (75 MPH) to W (168 MPH). High performance racing tires rated at 168 MPH or rated above ZR.
Initially, tire speeds were only S, H, or V (S slow, H medium, and V fastest); Over the years as wheel speeds have increased, for whatever reason, the H has remained the same, 130 MPH.
Your tires have a number that identifies when the tire was manufactured. This sign can be thought of as the birth certificate of your tire. There are combinations of letters and numbers starting with DOT that will end with a 4-digit numeric code. For example, if your tire reads [DOT CPEX 3ET 0311] the tire was manufactured in the third week of 2011. In the example above, the wheel was built in the last week of 2010 (52). The DOT indicates that the manufacturer complies with the Department of Transportation’s tire safety standards.
Let’s Learn All About Low Profile Tires!
In addition you will find letters and symbols that give you more information about the tires, although not all tires have the following letters and symbols.
If you see three mountain snowflake symbols on the rim of your tire, it indicates that it is rated for snow and ice. The symbol is identified by a snowflake surrounded by a zig-zag shape of a mountain with 3 peaks. If your tire has the 3PMSF mark it meets the performance requirements of a snow plow and is certified for severe winter conditions.
The E-mark located on the sidewall of the tire indicates that the tire meets minimum EU and international standards related to tire size, load index and speed rating. This marking ensures that the tests have met the correct performance rules. Not all tires sold in the United States have electrical markings.
The S-mark, also found on the sidewall, means that the tire has met a “noise permit” related to road noise produced by the tires. All new tires manufactured since 2011 must have an S-mark rating to be able to be sold by retailers in accordance with EU standards. Not all tires sold in the United States have the S symbol.
Best Tires: A Buyer’s Guide For 2022
The P in the tire stands for Passenger and means that the tire is designed for use in different vehicles.
LT on the tire stands for light truck and means that the tire is designed for use on light and heavy trucks.
The ST in the tire stands for special tires and means that the tires are designed to tow trailers with underpowered axles.
R17 for a tire means the rim size will need to be 17. The “R” actually stands for radial, not rim and is the type of technology the tire uses.
What Do The Numbers On Tires Mean? Tire Sizes Explained — Hansma Automotive
The R in the tire stands for radial and refers to the type of technology used inside the tire.
Need help choosing the right products for your car? Our team of highly trained professionals are knowledgeable and eager to help. You can reach us by phone, chat or email. We are always here to help! Tire sizes can be confusing. Some of the numbers on the wall are in millimeters and some are in inches. In addition, the right size for your car, truck, or trailer can vary depending on where and how you drive.
You can find the tire size for your original equipment in your owner’s manual or on a plaque usually on the driver’s side jamb. This is the size recommended by the car manufacturer.
If you’re interested in changing your tires for a different look or performance, a good place to start is the numbers and other indicators on the sidewalls of your existing tires. Then, let a tire expert help you choose the right tire size range for your vehicle and driving needs.
Atv Tire Size Explained: A Comprehensive Guide
LT stands for Light Truck Tire, designed for heavy-duty vehicles, trailers, or for those looking for an extra heavy-duty option. It is usually equipped with 3 or 1 quarter trucks and SUVs.
ST stands for Special Trailer. These tire sizes are for trailers, including fifth wheels and other travel trailers, as well as boat and utility trailers.
If there is no letter before the first number, you have a metric tire, often called a European size. It is also measured in millimeters but may have a different load capacity than a P or LT tire.
B: Tire width The three-digit number after the letter is the width of the tire (looking from the side to the top of the tire) in millimeters. It may also be called the scope of the section.
Understanding Tire Numbers And Letters
C: Aspect Ratio Aspect ratio The front slash separates the tire width number from the two-digit aspect ratio. The larger the aspect ratio, the higher/higher the tire’s sidewall, or “profile” as it is sometimes called.
The aspect ratio is expressed as a percentage of the tire’s sidewall. This is the length of the sidewall measured from the tire rim to the top of the tread, expressed as a percentage of the tire width.
In this example, the aspect ratio is 65, which means the sidewall is 65 percent as long as the tire is wide. To find the sidewall length, take the tire diameter of 215 mm and convert it to inches (8.46). Then multiply that by 65% (.65). This gives you the answer of 5.5, the height of the side wall in inches.
R is for radial tires, the industry standard for most tires today. They have better road holding, lower rolling resistance, better gas mileage, ride comfort and durability compared to the previous generation tires. In a radial tire, the bars—layers of strong cords made from a mixture of polyester, steel, and fabric and covered with rubber—are placed perpendicular to the tread.
Tire Size Guide
D is for tires made with diagonal (criss-crossed) plies, called bias-ply tires. They are also called conventional, x-ply, or cross-ply tires. Some motorcycle and trailer tires still use this inner construction.
E: Tire Width This two-digit number specifies the tire’s diameter in inches. This is the distance between the two bead seats (where the wheel is firmly attached to the wheel).
F: LOAD INDEX A two-digit or three-digit number followed by a space specifies the tire’s load index. The load index symbol shows how much the tire can support based on the general chart below. In our example, the load index is 89, indicating a tire load capacity of 1,279 pounds, when inflated to the tire’s maximum air rating.
G: Speed Rating The last letter is the speed rating of the wheel. This high speed indicates that it is safe to travel for a long time. A tire with a higher speed rating can handle heat better and provide more control at higher speeds. The maximum operating speed of the vehicle does not exceed the lowest speed of all the tires installed on the vehicle. (Yes, you should always obey speed limits for safe driving.) The speed limit is usually, but not always, a letter (see chart).
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Below you will
Numbers on tires, numbers on tires explained, what does the numbers on tires mean, numbers on tires what they mean, what numbers mean on tires, what are the numbers on tires, numbers on tires what do they mean, meaning of numbers on tires, what do numbers on car tires mean, what do numbers mean on tires, what do the numbers on tires mean, whats the numbers on tires mean
