How to Read Tire Size

Whether you're headed out on a fun-filled day of shopping, on your way to work, or escaping on an off-roading adventure, your tires are what help make it all happen. However, without the correct size of tire on your vehicle, your commutes in the Turnersville, Cherry Hill, and Mount Laurel area might be less efficient and even dangerous.

When it comes time for an upgrade on those wheels of yours, ensure you have the right ones using this How to Read Tire Size guide created by Prestige Volkswagen. Everything you need to know is below, making it easy to find a new set of wheels that will work perfectly for your vehicle.

Tire Type

When you take a look at your current tires, you're going to see a series of numbers and letters on the sidewall. This is where we're going to find all of our info, starting with the first letter, which indicates which type of tires you need.

Most likely, the letters P or LT will be listed. The letter P means you have a P-Metric Tire, which is the standard for US passenger vehicles. If you see an LT, it means this tire was intended for a Light Truck. Take note that the LT may appear at the end of the series instead.

Tire Width

Next in the series, you'll see a set of numbers that tell you what the width of your tire is from sidewall to sidewall. This should be three digits long and come right before a slash (/). This is the width of the tire you need for your vehicle.

Aspect Ratio & Radical

Right after that slash mark, you'll notice two numbers and the letter R. These indicate the height of your tire's cross-section to the tire's width. This is called the aspect ratio. For example, if the tire reads /50 R, your height is 50% of the width.

That R above stands for radical. This simply means that the layers of your tires run radically across.

Wheel Diameter

After the aspect ratio and the radical information, there should be two numbers. These numerals tell you the size of wheel that your tire is perfect for. If you see a 20 there, it means your tire is meant for a 20-inch wheel.

Load Index & Speed Rating

Lastly, is a set of a few numbers at the end of the sequence that should end in a letter. The numbers represent the load index, which is basically how much weight your tire can support.

The final letter in the series will tell you the speed rating. This means how capable are your tires, and different letters mean different ranges of speed. For example, the most common letter is the H speed rating. This means the tires can go a max of 130 MPH. It's highly recommended that you not exceed this speed while driving, as it may cause damage to your tires, as well as your vehicle.

Find Your New Set of Tires at Prestige Volkswagen 

There you have it! With help from our How to Read Tire Size guide, you're ready to equip your vehicle with a new set of wheels. For further assistance in choosing the right tires for your ride, stop by our dealership's auto center today. Our team proudly serves customers in the Turnersville, Cherry Hill, and Mount Laurel area.