What does the R mean in tire sizes?

“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.

Does the R in tire size matter?

For example, a tire with a speed rating "S" is rated for up to 112 mph, while a tire rated "R" is up to 106 mph. Remember that this isn't a recommended cruising speed, but rather the maximum speed that tire type can withstand. Of course, you should always follow legal speed limits on roadways.

Does the R on tires mean rim size?

The last number, 15, is the rim diameter of the wheel that the tire will fit. The tire letter meaning refers to the construction of the tire: R for radial, D for diagonal, and RF for run-flat.

What does the P and R mean on tires?

“P” means it's a passenger vehicle tire (tires labeled “LT” are for light trucks), and “R” stands for radial, by far the most common type of tire construction. Most passenger-vehicle and pickup-truck tires come with aspect ratios of 55, 60 or 65.

What does R 18 mean on a tire?

When it says R18, it means that it has a radial-ply construction and it fits an 18-inch rim. A tire can only be installed on a wheel that is identical to its inner diameter.

How to Read a Tire Size

What does 45 R mean on a tire?

The “45” that follows is the aspect ratio - the height of the tire sidewall as a percentage of its width. In our case that means 10.1 cm. Next up is an “R”, which means “radial” – today, radial tires have almost completely replaced the cross-ply tires that were the standard design until the 1980s.

What does 55 R mean on a tire?

So “235” means that the tire has a nominal width of 235 millimeters. The following “55” is the tire wall height as a percentage of the width. So in our example, the actual height in millimeters would be just under 130 mm. Then comes the letter “R” as the identifier for radial tires.

What does V mean on a tire?

V - Speed ratings are represented by letters ranging from A to Z. Each letter coincides to the maximum speed a tire can sustain under its recommended load capacity. For instance, V is equivalent to a maximum speed of 149 mph.

What does the T or H mean on tires?

The “T” or “H” on tires pertain to their speed ratings. A T-rated tire can withstand top speeds of up to 118 mph (190 km/h), while an H-rated tire can support up to 130 mph (210 km/h). It is important to note these markings and stay within those speed limits.

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 R rated tires?

R speed rating

Speed rating R allows for speeds up to 106 mph (170 km/h) under optimal conditions. Like Q speed rated tires, R rated tires generally prioritize a particular function or unique performance over maximum speed capability.

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's the best speed rating for tires?

As manufacturers developed bigger and better tires, it became necessary to regulate performance at standardized speeds to ensure safety. The "Limited V" category of 250 km/h (149 mph) was then created, and eventually the "Z" speed rating was added as the top speed rating.

What does 50r mean on tires?

50 is the two-figure aspect ratio. This percentage compares the tire's section height with the tire's section width. For example, this aspect ratio of 50 means that the tire's section height is 50% of the tire's section width. R indicates the construction used within the tires casing. R stands for radial construction.

What does P mean on a tire?

P stands for passenger vehicle tire. P-class tires include cars, SUVs, crossovers, minivans and smaller pickup trucks. LT means light truck tire, designed for vehicles that are capable of carrying heavy loads, towing trailers, or for those looking for an extra heavy duty option.

Can I put wider tires on my stock rims?

As a general rule of thumb, it's safe to fit a tire up to 20 millimeters wider than stock on the original rim. The actual width of the tire will vary depending on the width of the rim: The tire will expand 5 millimeters for every half inch (12.5 millimeters) increase in rim width.

What are Z rated tires?

A “Z” rating can mean different things. While it nearly always means a high performance tire for high-performing sports cars, “Z” may actually appear in the middle of a tire's size information. When it does, it represents either a maximum speed of more than 149 mph (240 kph) or 186 mph (300 kph).

What does the W mean on tires?

The letter W denotes the maximum speed rating, which translates 168 mph—not something intended for mom's minivan. See our list of speed ratings below, which range from a low of "L" (just 75 mph for some off-road tires) to a high of Y (186 mph).

Do higher speed rated tires wear faster?

They're also about ride comfort, wear and cornering ability. Typically, the higher the speed rating, the better the grip and stopping power, but the lower the tread life.

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 is speed rating R?

R — Up to 106 mph. S — Up to 112 mph. T — Up to 118 mph. H — Up to 130 mph. V — Up to 149 mph.

What does XL mean on a tire?

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.

What does r16 mean?

This is indicated in percentage of the tire width. “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.

Can I use 205 60r16 instead of 205 55R16?

Yes. It will have a slightly lower sidewall height, but should work fine.

What does 91 mean on a tire?

Load capacity

The markings 91V are the load index and the speed rating, or the service description. The load index (91) is the assigned numerical value for the tire size to compare relative load carrying capabilities.