How to read tire size of my vehicle?

If you know where to look and what the code means, then you can read tire size and more. To read a tire size you need to look on your tire’s sidewall for a code looking similar to this: 205/60R15 91H. This is a example of a Euro-metric tire with a European size. Then there are P-Metric which will look like this: P205/60R15 91H. Both are examples of passenger vehicle tires, where P stands for passenger. When it says LT in front of the code it is meant for light trucks which can carry loads.

Tire size code break down:

205➔width of the tire from side to side measured in millimeters. Also referred to as the section width of the tire.

60➔tire profile or aspect ratio, this is the tire sidewall height in proportion to its width. The sidewall is measured from the rim to the top of the tread. Here 60 means that the height of the tire sidewall is 60 percent of its width. The bigger the value the bigger or higher the tire’s sidewall will be. To calculate the precise number you need to convert 205 mm to inches which is 8,07 inches. Multiply 8,07 by 0,60 (60 percent) then you get 4,8 inches which is the height of the tire sidewall.

R➔refers to the internal construction of the tire and in this case radial, radial tire design vs bias (diagonal) tire design. With radial tires the rubber and steel or fabric plies underneath the tread are laid perpendicular (with a 90 degrees angle) to the direction of travel.Bias or diagonal also called cross ply tires is the less preferred tire to radial.

15➔this is the tire’s rim diameter across and is measured in inches.

91➔load index is the amount of weight a tire can support, see load index chart below.

H➔speed rating is the top speed that it is safe to travel at for a prolonged duration. Tires with a higher speed rating can withstand heat much better., see speed rating chart below.