What Is Tire Size Rating?

The tire size rating is that group of numbers and letters found on the side of each of your tires. The information you’ll find there is important to make sure you have the correct tire on your vehicle and you’re using it the way it was meant to be used.

To help our fellow drivers in Casper, Gillette, Cheyenne, Sheridan, and Buffalo, Wyoming, decode the tire size rating, the team at Fremont CDJR Casper has put together the following information. Keeping reading to learn all about tire size ratings.  

Feel free to consult this tire size rating example while you’re going through the items below: P215/65R1589H.  

The Type of Tire

Tire size ratings are read from left to right. Looking at the figure on the far left in the example tire size we’ve provided for you above, you’ll notice this one starts with the letter P. This stands for P-Metric. That means this tire has been manufactured in accordance with the United States guidelines for passenger vehicles. If this rating had been for a light truck, you would see an LT at the beginning instead of a P.

Tire Width

Next in our example comes the number 215. This is the width of the tire. It’s measured in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.

The Aspect Ratio

After the slash mark, you’ll see the number 65. This is the tire’s aspect ratio. In our example, it lets you know the tire’s height is 65% of its width.

The Construction of Your Tire

Next up is the letter R. It stands for radial. Most tires being used on the road today are radial tires.

Wheel Diameter

The 15 that comes next lets you know this tire is designed to fit onto a 15-inch diameter wheel.

Load Index Number

The load index number in this tire size example is 89. It matches up with the tire’s maximum load capacity in the load index. The maximum load capacity is the largest amount of weight a tire is designed to carry.

Speed Rating

The final item in our example tire size rating is the letter H. This is the tire’s speed rating. The H indicates this tire is intended to go no faster than 130 miles per hour.

Schedule Your Tire Appointment With Us Today

If you have any questions about the information above, you’re welcome to reach out to a member of the team here at Fremont CDJR Casper by email, phone call, or simply stopping by. We’ll be happy to answer them for you right away.

If you’re in Buffalo, Casper, Gillette, Cheyenne, or Sheridan, WY, and you’ve recently noticed your tires are wearing down unevenly or it’s time to have them rotated or replaced, we can take care of that as well. Contact us today to set up a convenient day and time for your appointment.