How do you read the numbers and letters on a tire?

The two-digit number after the slash mark in a tire size is the aspect ratio. For example, in a size P215/65 R15 tire, the 65 means that the height is equal to 65% of the tire's width. The bigger the aspect ratio, the bigger the tire's sidewall will be.

What do the letters and numbers on a tire mean?

The number is the load rating, or the amount of weight that it can handle. The letter is the speed rating, or the maximum speed the tire is built for. As an example, a tire rated 90R could safely carry 1,323 pounds and travel at 106 mph. Consult a load and speed index to find out what your tire's specific rating means.

How do you decode tire numbers?

When the tire was made: Every tire has a Department of Transportation (DOT) number after the letters on the sidewall. The last four digits determine the week and year the tire was made; for example, the digits 2321 would signify that the tire was made during the 23rd week of 2021.

What do the numbers on a tire mean?

The first two digits represent the manufacture week and the second two represent the manufacture year. In the example above, the DOT Number has a date code of 4515, which means the manufacturer built it on the 45th week of 2015.

What does H and W mean on tires?

The most common ratings are S and T (sedans, minivans, light trucks); H (some passenger cars, sports cars, coupes, some light trucks); N, P, Q and R (light trucks); and V, W and Y (high-performance and some electric vehicles). Most winter tires have Q, S or T speed ratings.

How to Read a Tire Size

What do the 3 numbers mean on tire size?

B: TIRE WIDTH The three-digit number following the letter is the tire's width (from side to side, looking at the tire head on) in millimeters. This may also be referred to as the section width. C: ASPECT RATIO The forward slash separates the tire width number from the two-digit aspect ratio.

What does Z mean on a tire?

Some manufacturers will insert a “Z” in the middle of the tire size description (right after the aspect ratio) when the tire is rated at “W” or “Y.” And if a tire is rated in excess of 186 mph (300 kph), manufacturer's usually will list a “Z” within the size description, per industry standards.

What does the letter W mean on tires?

A relatively new addition to the speed rating chart, tires with speed rating “W” can achieve a maximum sustained speed of 168 mph (270 kph).

What does p235 55R19 mean?

235/55R19 tires are 29.2″ tall, have a section width of 9.3″, and fit wheels with a diameter of 19. The circumference is 91.6″ that translates into 692 revolutions per mile. As a rule, they can be mounted on the wheels with 19″ x 6.5-8.5″ rim width. In the high flotation system, the equivalent tire size is 29.2×9.3R19.

What does the R stand for on a tire size?

“R” stands for the construction method of the tire indicating the tire is a radial tire. The following two numbers (16) indicate the diameter of the wheel rim in inches. The next two or three numbers (94) indicate the load index of the tire. In the example, 94 means the tire can carry 670kg.

What is the difference between H and V speed rating?

An “H” rated tire is designed to operate at a maximum speed of 130 mph. A “V” rated tire on the other hand is designed to operate at a maximum speed of 149 mph, almost twenty miles an hour more than the “H” rated tire.

What does 55r19 mean?

55. 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. In this case, the sidewall height is 0 millimeters.

What is 92v on tire?

The 92 represents the maximum load the car can carry. The range of load ratings is vast and each number corresponds to a chart that shows how many pounds a single tire can carry. In this case, the 92 means it can support 1,389 pounds.

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.

Can I use W rated tires instead of V?

V means that vehicles can safely use the tire with a top speed higher than 149mph. The rating W shows that the tire is safe to use for a vehicle with a top speed of 168mph.

Can I use ZR tires instead of R?

R indicates that the structure is RADIAL. So, VR indicates that the tyre has a RADIAL structure and a speed index equal to V. There is therefore no difference between a ZR or an R tyre with the same speed index.

What does 45 Zr mean on a tire?

ZR shown on the sidewall of your tire is a reference to the tire's speed rating.. Historically, the speed rating ZR on a tire meant that the construction of the tire could reach of 150 miles or 240 kilometers per hour.

Which number on a tire is the width?

The first number to appear in your tire size information is the width, in millimeters, of the correct tires for your vehicle: P225/70R16 91S. Tire width always refers to the measurement from one sidewall to another.

Can I use tires with different width?

While it's fine to put narrower tyres on the front and wider on the back, it's pointless to put wider tyres on just one side of the car. This would change the weight balance and would mean one side of the vehicle would grip differently to the road when braking. It would change the cornering dynamic, too.

What does P275 55R20 mean?

The same 2014 Ford F150 in their Platinum Series comes with a tire size of P275/55R20. The tire is a (P) passenger tire, with a tread width of 275 millimeters, the sidewall is 55% as tall as the tread (section width) is wide, and the wheel diameter is 20 inches.

What's the difference between 95y and 95w?

95 is like 1500lb load rating per tire. W is 168mph roll rate limit Y is 186mph. For the 45 you should consider higher rating tires like the Michelin PSS or similar.

What does XL mean on tires?

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.

How do you read a tire sidewall?

How do I tell what size my tires are?