What Do Tire Numbers Mean?

Have you ever had to order new tires from your local Dayton parts shop? You’ve probably noticed a combination of numbers and letters on your tire sidewalls and wondered what do tire numbers mean. In short, the code indicates the size and type of the tire, along with its performance purpose. When you need new tires, this guide from the experts in our New Carlisle Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram parts department should help ensure you are able to match the right tire numbers to your new set.

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Decoding What Tire Numbers Mean

So what does a tire’s code mean? A tire code uses a series of letters and numbers to inform Springfield drivers or their service center of several factors: the tire size, load index, speed rating, and type of tire your vehicle needs for maximum performance. How about an example?

P215/65R15 95H

No, that number is not gibberish. Each section represents a piece of vital information that will help you identify your tire.

The “P” stands for “P-Metric tire.” That means it’s used for passenger vehicles. “LT” stands for “light truck,” and the tire is intended for light-weight pickup trucks. If the tire does not have a letter preceding the code, it is a European style tire, or Euro-Metric tire, and it may have different load capacities.

After the “P,” we have the number “215.” That number stands for the tire width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall. The width of this example tire is, therefore, 215 millimeters. Isn’t this fun?

After the forward slash, we have the aspect ratio of the tire. A tire’s ratio is the height of the tire’s cross-section to its width. In this example, our tire has an aspect ratio where its height is equal to 65 percent of its width. The bigger the ratio, the bigger the sidewalls.

Next up: “R.” This indicates the tire’s construction type, in this case, “radial.”

“15” indicates the wheel size from one end to the other, which informs us of what tire can fit on this particular wheel. In this example, this tire is meant for a 15-inch wheel.

At the end of the code is “95H,” which is the load index and speed rating for the tire. The load index (“95” in this instance) indicates how much weight the tire can support when it’s properly inflated. Typically, it ranges from 75-105 for passenger vehicles. “H” represents the speed rating, which is how fast the tire can safely go based on its load capacity. This rating is ranked from A-Z, and with our example, a tire with an “H” rating can reach a maximum speed of 130 mph.

Turn to New Carlisle Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram For All Your Maintenance Needs

Looking for new tires in the Springfield area? The New Carlisle Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram service center and parts department can help you with tires, checking tire tread depth, brakes, or regular maintenance, like oil changes. You can even schedule service online—how easy is that?

New Carlisle Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram 39.9479217, -84.0224264.