What Do Tire Numbers Mean?

If you’ve ever taken a close look at your tires, you’ll have noticed that each one has a combination of letters and numbers on its sidewall, so what do these tire numbers mean? They’re simply there to indicate the size and type of tire you’re using, plus the performance purpose it was designed for. That means it’s always important for Kansas City drivers to get the right tire numbers to match their vehicle and needs, and the parts department here at Lee’s Summit Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram will always be happy to help.

Your Guide to Tire Number Meaning

Each section of a tire code represents a certain piece of information. Just take this one as an example code: P215/65R15 95H.

Now, let’s decode it!

• P: The “P” stands for “P-Metric tire”, which means it’s used for passenger vehicles. Most models you see covering the roads between Blue Springs and Independence are going to use P tires, though you may also see “LT” for “light truck” or sometimes no letter at all if it’s a European style tire.
• 215: “215” gives the tire’s width in millimeters measured from sidewall to sidewall.
• 65: The number after the front slash provides the aspect ratio code. It’s 65 in our example. The ratio is the height of the tire’s cross-section to its width, so here that means the height equals 65% of the tire’s width.
• R: This lets you know about the tire’s construction. The “R” means this one is a radial tire.
• 15: “15” indicates this wheel’s size from one end to the other. A 15 means this fits on a 15-inch wheel.
• 95H: This is the load index and speed rating. “95” shows how much weight the tire can support when properly inflated, and the “H” shows how fast it can go. An “H” rating can safely reach up to 130 mph, so more than most Gladstone drivers will ever need.

Find the Best New Tires for Your Car in Lee’s Summit

Whether you’re wondering, “what do the numbers on tires mean?” or you simply want to find out more about our latest service specials, all you need to do is turn to the team here at Lee’s Summit Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram. For any further advice or assistance, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Whether you need help finding the right new tires for your car or you have questions about rotating tires at home, we are here to help.