Tire Designations

Tire Size

The following is an example of a typical passenger vehicle tire size.

(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:

(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:

The United States version of a metric tire sizing system.

The letter P as the first character in the tire size means a passenger vehicle tire engineered to standards set by the U.S. Tire and Rim Association.

(B) Tire Width: The three-digit number indicates the tire section width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.

(C) Aspect Ratio: A two-digit number that indicates the tire height-to-width measurements.

For example, if the tire size aspect ratio is 60, as shown in item C of the illustration, it would mean that the tire's sidewall is 60 percent as high as it is wide.

(D) Construction Code:

A letter code is used to indicate the type of ply construction in the tire. The letter R means radial ply construction; the letter D means diagonal or bias ply construction; and the letter B means belted-bias ply construction.

(E) Rim Diameter: Diameter of the wheel in inches.

(F) Service Description:

These characters represent the load index and speed rating of the tire. The load index represents the load carrying capacity a tire is certified to carry. The speed rating is the maximum speed a tire is certified to carry a load.

    See also:

    Off-Road Recovery
    The vehicle's right wheels can drop off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while driving. Follow these tips: 1. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer the vehic ...

    Power Reclining Seatbacks
    To recline a power seatback, if equipped: • Tilt the top of the control rearward to recline. • Tilt the top of the control forward to raise. ...

    Shifting from Two-Wheel Drive High to Four-Wheel Drive High
    • Shifts between Two-Wheel Drive High and Four-Wheel Drive High can be made at any vehicle speed. • Shift the transfer case lever in one continuous motion into either the Four-Wheel Drive High or ...