What Tyres Does Your Car Need - Sizing, Ratings & Types Explained
Charlotte Phillips, 10 months ago
5 min read
- How to
- Tyres
- Car ownership
You probably haven't thought much about what tyres your car needs until you find yourself on the roadside with a puncture, where you either need to fit a temporary spare tyre or call for roadside assistance. Once that's done, it's time to find a replacement tyre.
Having the correct sized tyres is extremely important not only for you and your passengers' safety, but also for your car's overall performance.
Contents
How do I find out what tyres I need?
What do the numbers on tyres mean?
How do I find out what tyres I need?
You can find out the type of tyre you need for your car in several different ways.
The easiest way to do this is to refer to your owner’s manual. This can often be found in the glove compartment and will generally contain information about your vehicle's tyre size, specifications and pressure.
Alternatively, there are a few other places you can check to get all of this information:
Check the tyre sticker: This is usually on the driver's side door or the glove compartment.
Online tyre size tools: If you need help finding the information from the above sources or want to verify it, many tyre manufacturers and retailers have online tools to input your vehicle's make, model, and year to get a list of recommended tyre sizes. We have one on our site
here, too!
Visit a mechanic: If you're still uncertain about the correct tyre size or want more personalised advice, visit a reputable tyre retailer or an automotive mechanic. They will have the expertise to help you find the right tyres for your vehicle and driving needs. You can find a trained mechanic in your area here.
Once you have the recommended tyre size and type, you can compare various tyre brands and models based on performance, durability, price, and customer reviews.
Remember that proper tyre maintenance is essential for safety and performance. Regularly check tyre pressure, rotate the tyres as recommended in the vehicle manual, and replace them when worn out or damaged.
Car tyre labels explained
You may have seen car tyre labels before, and at first glance, it can be difficult to know what all the labels' different parts mean.
Since May 2021, new labelling rules were set out under EU Regulations, which highlighted more information about a tyre's safety and environmental aspects. The new EU regulations will require all tyres to have a label containing a rating for wet grip, braking performance, fuel efficiency and noise levels.
The information tyre labels typically include are as follows.
Tyre size
The label indicates the tyre's size, expressed as a series of numbers and letters (e.g. 205/55 R16). This information helps ensure that the tyre is compatible with the vehicle.
Tyre type
The label specifies the type of tyre, such as summer, winter, or all-season tyre. Each type is designed to perform optimally under particular weather and road conditions.
Check out these guides for more information:
Fuel efficiency
This rating is represented by a letter grade (A to G), where ‘A’ indicates the highest fuel efficiency, and ‘G’ indicates the lowest. A tyre with better fuel efficiency contributes to lower fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions.
Wet grip
Like fuel efficiency, wet grip is graded from A to G, with ‘A’ being the highest level of grip in wet conditions. A tyre with good wet grip provides better traction and shorter braking distances on wet roads.
Noise level
A single black wave denotes the quietest tyre, while three black waves indicate a louder tyre. A lower noise level contributes to a quieter and more comfortable driving experience.
Load index
The load index is a numerical code representing the tyre's maximum load-carrying capacity. This value helps ensure that the tyre can support the vehicle's weight and the weight of its passengers.
Speed rating
The speed rating is represented by a letter code (e.g., V, W, Y) that indicates the maximum speed at which the tyre can be safely driven. Using tyres with an appropriate speed rating for your vehicle is essential. For example, cars used only for commuting around town will not need a high-speed performance tyre.
Treadwear rating
The treadwear rating provides an estimate of the tyre's longevity compared to a standard reference tyre. A higher treadwear rating indicates a longer lasting tyre.
Tyre construction
This label indicates the tyre's construction type, such as ‘radial’ or ‘bias ply’. Radial tyres are the most common type for passenger vehicles and provide better performance and fuel efficiency.
Remember that tyre labels are standardised to give consumers essential information to make informed decisions. Understanding these labels can help you choose the right tyres that suit your driving needs and preferences.
What do the numbers on tyres mean? Find out your tyre size and rating type
The numbers on tyres represent information about the tyre's size, type, and performance characteristics. Typically, you can find a series of alphanumeric characters on the tyre's sidewall.
Example:
A common tyre marking might look like this: P225/60R17 95H
- P: Indicates the tyre is intended for passenger vehicles.
- 225: The tyre's width is 225 millimeters.
- 60: The aspect ratio is 60% (height is 60% of the width).
- R: Radial construction.
- 17: The tyre fits a 17-inch rim.
- 95: The load index, indicating the tyre's maximum load capacity.
- H: The speed rating, indicating the tyre's maximum safe speed.
Use this as a key, along with the terminology descriptions above, to help you understand the size and type of tyre your car requires.
What are the best tyres for my driving style?
What tyres are good for wet roads?
Some tyre manufacturers offer specific 'rain' tyres with a tread pattern optimised for water dispersal. Often, these tyres have wider grooves to help to provide better grip on wet roads.
All-weather tyres are also a good consideration for rainy conditions. These tyres are designed to perform well in both wet and dry conditions.
Brands such as Uniroyal, Continental and Michelin are known to be the best for rain due to their ability to prevent aquaplaning. Check out our brand reviews below for more information.
What tyres are good for snowy roads?
Many manufacturers offer snow tyres designed with special studs or tread patterns for traction on snow-covered roads.
Brands like Goodyear, Continental and Dunlop are known to produce some of the best snow tyres on the market.
Find out more about Goodyear in our brand review.
What tyres are good for long distances?
You’ll want a balance of comfort, durability, fuel efficiency and, most importantly, reliability when it comes to long-distance driving.
Though more expensive, Continental, Michelin, Hankook and Pirelli are some of the most reliable and long-lasting tyre brands for a reason.
You can learn more about Hankook, Continental and Pirelli in the following guides:
What are OE tyres?
OE stands for Original Equipment or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). These tyres come as standard equipment on a vehicle when it is first manufactured and sold by the automaker.
Automobile manufacturers work closely with tyre manufacturers to develop specific tyres tailored to the vehicle's performance, handling characteristics and safety requirements. These tyres are designed to meet the particular needs and specifications of the car, providing optimal performance, fuel efficiency, and safety.
Once you’ve figured out the type of tyres your car needs, it’s time to start looking at new tyres.
At FixMyCar, we stock some of the biggest brands in the industry, with everything from big premium brands like Continental to mid-range and budget brands like Mazzini.
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