What Do Tire Numbers Mean?

If you take a good look at the sides of your tires, you’ll see a string of letters and numbers with no clear meaning at first glance. But, you can actually translate each digit to reveal a meaning. What do tire numbers mean? How can you use this information when selecting a new set in Mooresville? Greg Hubler Chevrolet is here to tell you! Read our guide to tire number meaning, and start shopping for your next set in Camby.

Determining Tire Number Meanings

What do the numbers on tires mean? Each letter and number represents a different piece of information, ranging from tire size to speed rating. So if you need to know the size of your tire or the tire width in Plainfield, a good understanding of tire number meaning can help you out. Take a look at what tire numbers mean with the example: P215/65R15 95H.

Decoding “P”

Most tires in Mooresville will start with a letter. The letter indicates the tire’s usage. In this case, the P stands for P-Metric tire – or a passenger vehicle tire. If you see LT, that stands for light truck for pickups and large SUVs. If your tire number does not start with a letter, it’s a less common European-style tire or Euro-Metric tire.

Decoding “215”

Next, you’ll see a string of numbers in a row. This indicates the tire width in millimeters, measured from sidewall to sidewall. The width of our example tire is 215 millimeters.

Decoding “65”

Following a forward slash, you’ll see the aspect ratio code. This is a ratio of the height of the tire’s cross-section to its width, which tells you the size of the tire sidewalls. In this case, the height is equal to 65% of the tire’s width.

Decoding “R”

The next letter will tell you the type of construction that the tire uses. The R means that the tire’s construction is radial.

Decoding “15”

This number indicates the wheel size that will best fit this particular tire. The example tire will suit a 15-inch wheel.

Decoding “95H”

The last set of numbers and letters tells you two different things. First, the load index is 95. The load index represents how much weight the tire can handle, ranging from 75-105 for passenger vehicles. The letter H is the speed rating, or how fast the tire can safely travel. In this case, H means that the tire can handle speeds up to 130 mph.

Turn to Greg Hubler Chevrolet for All Your Maintenance Needs

Now you know what the numbers on tires mean, but what if you still have questions about your tire number meanings in the Martinsville area? Feel free to contact us at Greg Hubler Chevrolet to learn more about tire maintenance and selection, or just stop by our dealership in Camby. We can help you get the tire care that you need or help you find a new set today!