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Tire Size Code

The Meaning of the Tire Size Code
The tire size code consists of a string of letters and numbers as follows:

• An optional letter (or letters) indicating the intended use or vehicle class for the tire:
• P - Passenger
• LT - Light Truck
• ST - Special Trailer
• T - Temporary
• 3 digit number - The width of the tire in millimeters, from sidewall edge to sidewall edge.
• / - Slash Character
• 2 digit number - The ratio of the sidewall height to the total width of the tire as a percentage. If this is missing, it is assumed to be 82%. If the number is larger than 200, then this is the diameter of the entire tire in millimeters.
• Construction of the fabric of the tire
• B - bias belt
• D - diagnol
• R - radial
• 2 digit number - Diameter in inches of the rim that this tire is designed to fit.

Example
The tires on a Mini Cooper might be labelled:
P195/55R16

• 'P' these tires are for a passenger vehicle.
• 195 - the width of the tire is 195 mm at the widest point.
• 55 - indicates that the height of the side-wall of the tire is 55% of the width - 107 mm.
• R - this is a radial tire.
• 16 - this tire fits 16 inch diameter wheels.

Uniform Tire Quality Grading(UTQG)

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) established the Uniform Tire Quality Grading Statdards (UTQGS) in 49 CFR 575.104. The UTQG rating is made up of 3 components:

Treadwear

The treadwear guide is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test track. A tire graded 200 would wear twice as long on the government test course under specified test conditions as one graded 100. It is wrong to link treadwear grades with your projected tire mileage. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use and may vary due to driving habits, service practices, differences in road characteristics and climate.

Traction

Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. They represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.

Temperature

The temperature grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B and C. These represent the tire's resistance to the generation of heat.

Service Description

On modern tires, the Service Description can be found on the side of the tire next to the tire size. It will be a number letter code that refers to the load index and speed rating.

Load Index - a numerical code that is associated with the maximum load the tires can carry

Speed Rating - Made up of either one or two letters, or a letter followed by a number. This indicates the maximum speed the tires can sustain for a ten minute endurance without being in danger.

Speed Ratings Descriptions

Side Wall Descriptions

Load Index Descriptions