Have you ever looked at the side of your car’s tire and wondered, what do these seemingly random numbers and letters mean? Well, you're not anymore. In this article, we're going to break down those seemingly complex code into simpler terms by getting into the meaning of each number or letter on your tire and explain how to read them on your vehicle’s tires.
E.g. To read a tire size like MAXXIS 235/65R17, 235 is the tire width in millimetres, 65 is the aspect ratio (the tire’s height as a percentage of its width), and 17 is the wheel diameter in inches.
Manufacturer and Tire Name
The large printed large letters on a tire refer to the tire brand company or manufacturer. In our example, MAXXIS is the tire name. It's also worth noting that at times, the tire name might be a combination of numbers and letter e.g. MAXXIS 771, BRAVO A/T.
Tire Width
This usually appears as a series of numbers right before a forward slash to refer to the distance from sidewall edge to sidewall edge, measured in millimetres up and over the tire's tread. As such, the larger the number, the wider the tire will be.
Why is it important?
The right tire width guarantees safety and optimal driving performance especially when driving in wet or slippery conditions. Also worth noting is the fact that they do also impact your gas mileage.
Aspect Ratio
This is the second number that appears immediately after the forward slash to imply the sidewall height of the section width.
Tire Construction Type
This single letter that appears after the aspect ratio tells you about the internal construction of the tire. Primarily, most passenger vehicles use radial construction, which is represented by the letter “R”
Other types of tire construction include:
“B” for bias belt (diagonal construction with belts)
“D” for diagonal (cross-ply construction)
Wheel Diameter
After the construction type, you’ll see another two-digit number. They represent the wheel diameter in inches, which is the size of the wheel that the tire is designed to fit.
It’s very much essential to match the right tire with the correct wheel diameter of your vehicle for safety, performance and to ensure an even wear and tear
Load Index
This number symbolizes a tire size's relative load carrying capabilities. As such, the higher the load index number, the larger load carrying capacity and vice versa.
Speed Rating
The last letter in this series is the speed rating. However, it's also worth noting that the speed rating isn't always a single letter.
Conclusion
Now that you know what each number and letter on your tire’s sidewall means, whether you’re switching out your tires for a different look or added performance, a good place to start your search for that new tread is the sidewall on one of your existing tires.
However, when in doubt you can always reach out to our customer service support team for professional advice to ensure you're getting the best fit for your car and driving needs. Contact us today here.