How to Find Auto Tire Sizes
Tires are manufactured according to their intended uses. Some tires are made specifically to be used on passenger vehicles, while others are made for commercial vehicles. Some tires are built for speed and others are designed to be used on trailers. To determine the appropriate tire for your vehicle, you must know your vehicle's tire size and its intended use. You can look in several places to determine the size.
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Instructions
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Read your vehicle's owners manual. This is the best place to obtain information about your tires. It provides size requirements, and also gives guidelines about appropriate tire pressure to maximize your car's performance and extend the life of the tires.
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Find the tire size requirements stamped or printed in the door jamb of your car. This information is typically located on the driver's side door near the vehicle identification number (VIN).
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Locate the size on the tire, which is listed on the tire's sidewall. It reads as a series of letters and numbers separated by forward slashes.
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Tips & Warnings
The characters on a tire provide specific details about it. The first letter, if there is one, tells what type of vehicle the tire is designed for. For example, "P" stands for "P-metric" and is intended for use on a passenger vehicle. The next number identifies the width of the tire at its widest point in millimeters. The next letter, for instance "R," stands for radial and refers to the tire's internal construction. A "Z" preceding the "R" is a speed rating. The next number is the tire and wheel diameter. These must match because a 17-inch tire will not fit an 18-inch rim. The final number/letter is the service description of the tire. This is a combination of the tire's load index and speed rating (with the exception of Z-speed rated tires.)
Ensure your tires are the proper size to prevent accidents.
