How to Read a Tire Size & Understanding a Tire Sidewall

Understanding the letters and numbers on your tire sidewall can be a bit confusing. Tires gives us some insight on how to read a tire size. My simple explanation addresses all the different specifications that are written on your vehicles tire. The sidewall of a tire contains a couple of key features:

Let's Take a Look for Instance at this Tire Size 215/55ZR17 94W

The "215" in the first part of the tire size represents the section width of the tire. The "55" represents the tires aspect ratio or height. The "R" stand for Radial in tire construction and the "17" stands for the wheel diameter in inches. The "94" is the load index and represents the tires maximum load capacity at maximum inflation pressure. The "W" represents the speed rating which is the max allotted speed of a tire.

Another bit of information contained on a tire sidewall is the maximum load capacity. The max load displays a weight at a certain PSI. But this is not the recommended tire pressure that you should inflate your tires to. Instead follow the manufacturer recommended tire pressure setting as seen on the inside of a car's door jam.

Hopefully this video can give you some insight on how to read a car tire.

[TomFord_]

Well presented, informative, succinct, and concise with a conversational tone. BMW is messing me around with tires for my X6. Now I'm taking matters. in my own hands. Thank you!

[Ninna]

I am a female attempting to understand my tire specs better. This was very very informative....Thank you...

[pap]

What king of tires give a smooth ride on bad road with potholes

[fresshstarr]

Thanks again bro trying to educate my self on some new rims on my car thanks much

[veepee]

YOU DID NOT SHOW THE EXPIRATION OF THE TIRE. WHAT YEAR IT WAS MANUFACTURED AND HOW MANY WEEKS

[bmilkjl]

You educated the hell outta me! Thank you.

[peterscarlett]

This is perhaps one of the clearest explanation I have seen in a while. Thank you.

[vu]

the door pressure said 46psi on the rear, but the max tire pressure says 44 psi...

[Growrena]

Greatly Presented, organized and voiced at an educational speed. Your instructions were very helpful. Thank you so much.

[popssinor]

finally a video with someone clearly explaining things! thank you

[kevinperez]

Hey my car says my tire is 215/55R16 93H but I found some 215/55R16 93V the only difference is the 93V dose that matter

[moroso-rmfm]

Dude You are the guy who can explained all of this with out headache.😂😂 Ur cool! Keep up the good work..sir...

[danielmclaughlin]

Thanks my man's for the much-needed knowledge 🙏

[empressdiva]

Thanks!! I’m a female and most mechanic aren’t ethical. And most aren’t ethnic. So they take advantage of females. New subscriber.🇵🇷🇺🇸

[byronaguilar]

Man.. excellent explanation.
One question. My SUV Pilot says tahat the maximum capacity is 1170 pounds. But the NITTO Tires say that the max capacity is 2030 pounds (I suppose that those are not the original tires), How can i solve this dilema? Im planning to make a trip with 7 people in the SUV and i don't want to overload the car. Thanks

[frankmontez]

Hey can tires be originally 235 50 17 then tire shop is telling me that 225 50 17 tires can go there without problem? Won’t make any difference? Won’t kill myself ? They’re don’t have the 235 I gave them wrong tire size

[alovera]

One part of my tire didn't sit on the rim. (Around 10cm) and I blow up to 3, 5 bar still doesn't fit. Is that possible to fill more air that it would sit on the rim exactly or it will not handle more pressure than it shows max ?😮(inside fitted exactly only outside around 10cm -space between tyre and rim)

[pops]

AA rating! Clear, informative, and concise. Thank you

[kankuroheisei]

thanks for the video man, it really helped me to understand the markings on the tire.

Just a quick question, what if i choose to replace my stock tires to a slightly bigger one, do i still need to follow the recommended psi by the car manufacturer?

[opgatoperez]

If that tire was made in 2019 and the tire is old so it should be cheap tire cause they’re older it is the cheap tire should be cause the rubber expires too