With just a little explanation it is easy to understand what the letters and numbers mean on your tire's sidewall. The numbers are indicators of the size, type, and performance of the tire.
- Tire Type The letter "P" at the beginning of the "Tire Size" tells us the tire is a P-Metric tire, referring to tires made to certain standards within the United States, intended for Passenger vehicles. If a tire size has no letters at the beginning, this indicates a Euro metric tire. P-Metric and Euro-Metric tires may have different load capacities. The letters "LT," either at the beginning or at the end of the tire size indicate the tire was designed for light trucks. Vehicle manufacturers equip some light trucks with "LT" type tires. These tires generally require higher inflation pressures than passenger tires.
- Tire Width is the width of the tire measured in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall. The first three-digit number in the tire size refers to the tire width. For instance, in a size P215/65 R15 tire, the width is 215 millimeters.
- Aspect Ratio is the ratio of the height of the tire's cross-section to its width. 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.
- Construction. The letter "R" in a tire size stands for Radial, which means the layers run radially across the tire.
- Wheel Diameter is the size of the wheel measured from one end to the other. It tells us the size of the wheel that the tire is intended to fit. A size P215/65 R15 tire is made for a wheel with a 15" diameter.
- Load Index indicates the maximum load that the tire can support when properly inflated. You'll also find the maximum load on the tire sidewall, in both pounds and kilograms.
- Speed Rating tells you the maximum speed capability of a tire. Often speed ratings are matched to the top speed capability of the vehicle. For example, a tire with an H-speed rating has a maximum speed capability of 130 mph or 210 km/h.
- DOT Symbol: The letters "DOT" on the sidewall indicate that the tire complies with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards in the United States.
- Tire Identification Number: The series of letters and numbers following the letters "DOT." The TIN consists of up to 12 numbers and letters to identify the factory location and the week and year the tire was manufactured.
- UTQG stands for Uniform Tire Quality Grading, a rating system developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation to show relative tread-wear, traction and temperature capabilities. Traction grades indicate the wet traction of a tire under a controlled test. A tire with an "AA" rating offers outstanding traction in wet conditions. Temperature grades indicate the ability of the tire to withstand and dissipate destructive heat. A tire with a A rating can withstand higher temperatures and operate at higher speeds than a B or C rated tire. Finally, Tread-wear grades are based on standardized government tests to help predict the expected tread-wear of a tire. For example, a tire with a tread-wear grade of 200 should last twice as long as a tire with a tread-wear grade of 100.
*Images Courtesy of Goodyeartires.com
