Your Basket is Empty!
On the sidewall of a standard car tyre, you will find various codes and markings. One thing to look out for is a number that denotes tyre size. Tyre sizes are made up of several different numbers and letters.
For example, the above tyre size 205/45 R 16 83 V is made up of the following information:
- 205
This is the first three digits on the side of the tyre that displays the width in millimetres. Like the tyre above measuring 205, this would be 205mm across the tread, from sidewall to sidewall.
- 45
The aspect ratio is the fourth and fifth digits of the tyre’s sidewall, that follow straight after the tyre width. This is the height of the tyre sidewall as a percentage of the tyre’s width. So once again using our image, the aspect ratio of 45 would mean that the profile height is 45% of the tyre’s width.
- R
Denotes the tyres construction type-in this case it’s a Radial. Almost every new tyre built today is a radial tyre. These types of tyres are designed with the cord plies positioned at a 90-degree angle to the direction of travel. This gives the tyre additional strength when travelling. This represents the letter in the image.
- 16
- The next two digits after the letter are the size of the wheel rim that the tyre can be fitted onto. This also represents the diameter of the tyre from bead to bead. Therefore, the above tyre with the number 16, will fit on an 16-inch wheel rim.
- 83
Load index. The load index of your tyre relates to the maximum amount of weight it can carry. The 83 in the image indicates it can carry up to 487kg.
- V
Speed Rating. The speed rating is the letter that can be found after the load index number and represents the maximum speed of a tyre when correctly inflated and being used under load. The V in the image indicates the maximum speed is 149 mph.