What Do the Numbers on Tires Mean?

If you’ve ever ordered new tires from your local Champlin tire shop, you’ve more than likely seen the combination of numbers and letters on their sidewall. You might be wondering, “What do tire numbers mean?” The tire number means a lot of things, including the size and type of tire it is, its weight and speed tolerances, and its particular performance purpose. If you need new tires and need to determine which ones to buy, or if you’re simply wondering what the numbers on tires mean, keep reading to learn more from Mauer Main Chevrolet’s service center.

What Do Tire Numbers Mean?

The best way to answer the question, “What do the numbers on tires mean?” is with an example like this one:

P215/65R15 95H

Keep reading to discover what each part of the code means about your tires.

Tire Number Meaning: Decoding P

The P here stands for P-metric tire, a common type in passenger vehicles. There are other types, like LT (light truck) and ST (special trailer), and you might not see a letter at the beginning of your code at all. If that’s the case, you have Euro-metric tires, which are similar to P-metric tires but with different load tolerances.

Tire Number Meaning: Decoding 215

Next, the tire indicates its width in millimeters. In our example, the tire is 215mm wide.

Tire Number Meaning: Decoding 65

After the tire’s width and a slash, the next number is its aspect ratio: the ratio between the tire’s cross-section height and width. Our example tire, therefore, is 65% as tall as it is wide.

Tire Number Meaning: Decoding R

The next bit of the code explains how the tire is constructed: R, in our case, means radially constructed, and that’s the most common type of construction in modern tires.

Tire Number Meaning: Decoding 15

The tire then tells us its rim diameter —or what diameter wheel it will fit on. Our tire will fit on a 15-inch wheel.

Tire Number Meaning: Decoding 95H

Finally, the tire carries information about its load index—how much the tire can carry when properly inflated—and its speed rating—how fast it can safely travel. 95H means the tire can take a load of up to 1,521 pounds at 130 miles per hour safely.

How Do I Check My Tire Pressure?

No matter what tires are on your Chevy, keep them properly inflated and stay safe on Brooklyn Park roads. While checking your tire pressure manually isn’t complicated, modern Chevrolet models include a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that will alert you when they need a top-off. You can top your tires up with air at a gas station or bring your Chevy to our Anoka service center, where we’ll fill up your tires, inspect your Chevy, and recommend other maintenance you need to keep it running smoothly.l

Turn to Mauer Main Chevrolet for All Your Maintenance Needs!

Now you can answer the question, “What do the numbers on tires mean?” Of course, if you ever need a refresher or have more questions, contact our service team for the help you need!

If your Chevy needs new tires, work on the brakes, or even an oil change, we’ve got you covered at Mauer Main Chevrolet for all your parts and maintenance needs! Make an appointment with our service center today to ensure your Chevy runs great for years to come!