Understanding Tire Size

A well-maintained car shouldn’t need tires too often, so our technicians put together a quick refresher on understanding tire sizes for when you need new treads. Avon and Indianapolis drivers should take time to schedule a service appontment for a tire rotation to get the most out of their current tires before diving into our primer on tire sizing.

Our Guide to Choosing the Right Tire Sizes

What would you say if we told you that you could tell the exact specs of the new tires you need by just looking at your old ones? Yes, even if they’re nearly balding. Each tire has a label on it, and if you’re just looking for a new set of the treads that have lasted you this long, it’s easy to decode it.

Look on the sidewall of your tire and find a string of numbers and letters that looks like “P 215 / 65R17 98T.” Here’s how to read that code:

• First Letter: The first letter is for the type of vehicle, “P” stands for “passenger vehicle,” though you could have “LT” for “light truck,” “T” for a “temporary” or spare tire, “ST” for a “special trailer,” or “C” for a “commercial vehicle.”
• First Number: In our example, this is the “215,” and it is the width of the tire in millimeters, from sidewall to sidewall.
• Second Number: The two-digit number that follows the first number is the aspect ratio or tire profile, and it is the percentage of the section width that the tire sidewall takes up, from the wheel rim to the tread. A lower aspect ratio means a narrower sidewall.
• Second Letter: The letter after the aspect ratio – usually R, D, or B – describes the construction of the tire for “radial,” “bias ply,” or “belted,”
• Third Number: Our example has “17” as its third number, indicating that it’s a tire for a 17-inch wheel.
• Fourth Number: This number is the tire’s load index and indicates the weight it can safely carry when factored into the gross vehicle weight rating.
• Final Letter: This letter is almost universally a “V” for the tire speed rating (engineered for up to 149 mph). Some sports cars will feature a “”

Why Choose Andy Mohr Toyota?

We make it a goal to keep our drivers informed at Andy Mohr Toyota, and we hope you now know a bit more about your tires. Whenever you visit our service center, our techs let you know any and all work we did, why we did it, and any work you may need taken care of soon so you can fully understand your vehicle. Drivers choose us because we know Toyota models inside and out and work hard to put you back on the road as soon as possible.

Ask Your Tire Questions at Your Leading Avon and Indianapolis Toyota Authority

Understanding tire sizes can seem tough at first, but just give our guide above a glance when reading your tire sidewall. It’s that easy. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Andy Mohr Toyota online or by phone; our techs will be happy to help you out with your tire needs. When it’s time to replace those treads, stop by our showroom at 8941 East US-36 in Avon, just a short drive from Indianapolis; we can’t wait to serve you.