Buying a car is one thing but maintaining it is another uphill task that requires some basic knowledge.
Failure to understand tiny details can easily lead to disasters or even make a car lose its market value faster than expected.
Understanding the type and size of a car tyre is one basic but fundamental thing any motorist ought to master.
Reading tyre size is vital for getting the proper replacements. The previous owner may have added custom wheels, or you may have a custom package with a particular wheel size. however, door jam displays what size tires the manufacturer recommends.
How to Check Tyre Size
Locate your tyre sidewall between the wheel and thread. If you see information such as the tyre brand and name, then you’re in the right place.
Then, find a string of letters that starts with P. The P means that a tire adheres to the P-Metric or standard for passenger vehicle tyres.
The number right after the P should have three numbers, like “P235”. This refers to the width, so the tire is 235 millimeters wide. Other numbers like “LT” mean light truck tires.
Then, look at the aspect ratio, the first two numbers after the slash. The 60 means that the height is 60 per cent of the tire’s width.
After the aspect ratio, you will see an ‘R’ for radial. It means that the layers are placed radially across the tyre. D would mean diagonal construction. RE means run-flat construction.
The two numbers after that refer to the tyre’s wheel diameter.
After the tyre size, you may see two numbers with an S on the end, like ‘91S’. This represents the speed rating and load index. The load index indicates how much weight your tires can hold while fully inflated.
The speed rating displays how fast the tyres can go. It’s the top speed your tyres can withstand but always fall within the speed limit.
Getting the wrong tyre for a Sports car may lead to disasters. So it is often advisable to understand that before going for a replacement.
Trusted auto repairers can also motorists pick the right replacement tyres.
