Identifying the size of tyres on your car

Sidewall Markings

On the sidewall of a tyre you will find various codes and markings. Amongst these you will find
the size.
Tyre Sizes

Tyre sizes are made up of a number of different numbers and letters. For example tyre size
185/60 R 14 82 H is made up of the following information:
185 The tyre section width in millimetres
60 The aspect ratio in % (the height of the sidewall divided by
the tyre's width)
R Denotes the tyre's construction type - in this case it's a
radial
14 Rim diameter in inches
82 Load Index
H Speed Rating
This is all the information you need to order your tyres if you would like to know more
read on
Aspect Ratio

Aspect ratio is the ratio of a tyre's width to it's height. A 60 series tyre, therefore, is a tyre whose
height is equal to 60% of its width.
Speed Ratings

All tyres carry a speed symbol in the form of a letter indicating the maximum speed for which
the tyre is intended. The table below shows which speed goes with each letter.
Speed symbol Maximum speed
km/h
N
140
P
150
Q
160
R
170
S
180

mph
87
93
99
106
112

T
H
V
W
Y
ZR

190
210
240
270
300
240

118
130
149
168
186
149

Load Indices

The load-index figure imprinted on the sidewall of the tyre denotes the maximum load capacity
of a tyre when driven at maximum speed. A list of load indices and maximum weights is give
below:
Li
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89

kg
290
300
307
315
325
335
345
355
365
375
387
400
412
425
237
450
462
475
487
500
515
530
545
560
580

Li
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
110
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118

kg
670
690
710
730
750
775
800
825
850
875
900
925
950
975
1000
1030
1060
1100
1120
1150
1180
1215
1250
1285
1320

90
91
92
93

600
615
630
650

119

1360

Tyre Age

Tyres carry a three digit age code on the sidewall indicating the month and year of manufacture.
For example 129 means the tyre was manufactured in December 1999.
Other Markings

M+S - Identifies Mud and Snow tyres

DOT Codes - Coding satisfying the requirements of the US Department of Transportation
contain a mixture of letters and numbers such as DOT DVDE MTA 129
E-Marks - Tyres for sale in the European Community must carry an E -Mark in accordance with
ECE Reg 30 - eg E4 027550
Air Pressure

The main function of a tyre is to carry the load of the car. Therefore, it is vital that correct air
pressure is maintained. Over-inflation will cause rapid and irregular wear.
Under-inflation will damage the tyre structure leading to possible accidents.
Improper air pressure will not allow the tyre to function within its design. For best performance
maintain the air pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer and/or the tyre
manufacturer.
Wheel Alignment and Balancing

A major cause of rapid tread wear is improper wheel alignment and balancing. Abnormal noise,
vibration and harshness of steering is a signal that alignment and balancing may be improper.
And finally, The Law

1. Tyres on cars, light vans (not exceeding gross weight) and light trailers must have a tread
depth of at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth and in a
continuous band around the entire circumference of the tyre.
2. Tyres must be suitable (ie of the correct specification and size) for the use to which the
vehicle is being put and must be inflated to the manufacturers' recommended pressures.
3. Tyres of different types must not be fitted to opposite wheels of the vehicle (for example,
radial-ply tyres must not be fitted to a wheel on the same axle as wheels already fitted
with cross-ply tyres and vice versa, and a two-axle vehicle must not have radial ply tyres

on the front axle if cross ply tyres are fitted to the rear axle)
4. No tyre must have a break in its fabric or a cut deep enough to reach the body cords. No
cut must be more than 25mm or 10% of the tye's section width in length, whichever is
greater.
5. There must be no lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial fracture of its
structure, neither must any portion of the ply or cord structure be exposed.