YOUR TYRE SIZE

A tyre's sidewall is simply the outer and inner "walls" on the sides of a tyre, if facing a tyre on its side. Every sidewall has its own unique information that is divided into sections: Tyre brand, Tyre pattern name, Tyre wear indicator, Tyre construction, Max load and pressure, Tyre width, Tyre Aspect Ratio, Load Index, Speed Rating and Mounting direction. 

How to read a sidewall

How to read a sidewall

A tyre's sidewall is simply the outer and inner “walls” on the sides of a tyre, if facing a tyre on its side. Every sidewall has its own unique information that is divided into sections:

Tyre brand

This is the brand or manufacturer of your tyre. 
Brand 

Tyre pattern name

The tyre pattern name is the model or name designated to a particular tyre - this information is usually found after the manufacturer's name on the sidewall.

Model  

Tyre wear indicator

Tread wear indicators ("wear bars") are located at the base of the main grooves and are equally spaced around the tyre. The tread wear indicators, which look like narrow strips of smooth rubber across the tread, will appear on the tyre when that point of wear is reached. When you see these wear bars, the tyre is worn out and it's time to replace the tyre. Always remove tyres from service when they reach a remaining tread depth of two millimetres (2 mm). Another easy way to check is to do the coin test. Take a five cent coin and place it with Queen's head down in the tread groove. If the tread covers the top of the Queen's head, then your tyres are OK. If the tread does not cover the top of the Queen's head, it is time to replace your tyres.

IMG_0906 

Tyre type

This designates the type of vehicle the tyre fits. P is for passenger metric. Other letters are LT (for light truck), T (for temporary spare) and ST (for special trailers). If your tyre has no letter, it signifies that your tyre is a euro "metric" size.

Type

Tyre width

The width of your tyre from sidewall to sidewall. In this example the width of the tyre is 225mm. 

Width

Tyre aspect ratio

This identifies the tyre's aspect ratio, which is the relationship of the tyre's sidewall height to the tyre's width. In this example, the sidewall height of the tyre is 55% of its width. The lower the ratio, the smaller the sidewall height, which means better cornering, but a rougher ride.

Aspect

Tyre construction

This is the tyre's internal construction, which is "radial." Almost every tyre on the road has radial construction, which means the cords of the carcass plies inside the tyre "radiate" directly across from one side of the tyre to the other. Other letters used are D, for diagonal construction, and B, for belted.

Construction

Wheel diameter

This number (in inches) indicates that the tyre is designed to fit on a wheel with a 18-inch diameter.

Picture2

Load index

This indicates how much weight the tyre is certified to carry at maximum safe inflation. Normally tyres can carry between 60 (250 kg/tyre) to 110 (1060 kg/tyre)

Load

Speed rating

This indicates the maximum safe speed at which a tyre is certified to travel under specified conditions. Speed ratings range from A (the lowest) to Y (the highest) 

Speed

Select your vehicle details for a refined selection of tyre products.

Reset fields