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:

    Engine Power Messages
    ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED This message displays and a chime sounds when the cooling system temperature gets too hot and the engine further enters the engine coolant protection mode. See Engine Overhea ...

    Anti-theft Alarm System
    On vehicles with an anti-theft alarm system, to activate the system: • Press on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter or the power door lock switch when any door is open. The security ligh ...

    Voice Pass-Thru
    Voice pass-thru allows access to the voice recognition commands on the cell phone. See your cell phone manufacturer's user guide to see if the cell phone supports this feature. To access contacts sto ...