High-quality and correctly inflated tyres are incredibly important to keeping you safe whilst driving. It’s so important to know your tyre size and how to read your tyres.
The tyre size you require for your vehicle can be found on the sidewall. This will appear as a combination of numbers and letters.
Most people don’t know their tyre size, but once you understand what the combination of numbers and letters on your tyre sidewall mean, it becomes much easier to understand.
|
Sidewall Marking |
Explanation |
|---|---|
|
205 |
The width of the tyre in millimetres |
|
55 |
The height of the tyre sidewall as a percentage of the width |
|
R |
The tyre is of radial construction |
|
16 |
The tyre's inner rim diameter in inches |
|
91 |
The load rating of the tyre |
|
W |
This speed rating - the tyres maximum speed at full load |
Now you know what each value stands for, let's figure out what it all means.
The load rating is found between the diameter and the speed rating on the sidewall of the tyre.
This rating is an indication of how much weight that the tyre can carry. You can calculate the load rating of your tyre with this PDF table..
If a tyre is carrying more weight than it designed for, it is at more risk of blowing out or low pressure. It’s so important to refer to this table if you’re planning on carrying extra weight..
Your car insurance policy may become void if you don’t have the correct load rating on your vehicle. It is vital to ensure you have the correct load rating fitted to your vehicle.
The final letter on the sidewall of your tyre is the speed rating. We have put a table together that breaks down what each symbol means.
|
Speed Symbol |
Max Speed mph |
Max Speed km/h |
Speed Symbol |
Max Speed mph |
Max Speed km/h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
M |
81 |
130 |
H |
130 |
210 |
|
P |
93 |
150 |
V |
150 |
240 |
|
Q |
99 |
160 |
W |
169 |
270 |
|
R |
106 |
170 |
Y |
187 |
300 |
|
S |
112 |
180 |
ZR |
Over 150 |
Over 240 |
|
T |
118 |
190 |
|
|
|
Speed rating on all tyres is decided based from tests carried out by engineers, this involves running the tyre at 6.2mph in 10 minute increments until the required speed has been met..
Your car insurance policy can become invalid If the tyres fitted to your car have a lower speed rating than they should. It is vital to check this speed rating before buying new tyres.
Now we have shown you how to calculate the size of your tyres, you can now search and find your perfect tyres.
