Tire shopping is generally straightforward. One of the few times you might have difficulty with it is when you want custom tires or want to switch out the factory tires. There’s a fair amount to take in and understand, from deciphering tire sizing and standards to figuring out the best tires for every situation.
That’s what we’re here for at Lancaster Toyota. With some of the brightest tire experts in the Lancaster region, we are ready to help you find the right tires for your vehicle and your driving preferences.
Making sense of the Letters and Numbers.
First thing you’ll need to know is the meaning of the writing on the side of the tires. A common tire you might see will have stamping on the side. It looks like a jumble – it may read something like P215/65R15 90H. Below is how the tire writing stamp breaks down.
Tire Type: The “P” represents the tire type, in this case, passenger. LT means Light Truck and refers to pick-up trucks up to 1-ton load capacity.
Width of the Tire: “215” means 215 millimeters width.
Aspect Ratio: The aspect ratio is the ratio of the height of the tire’s cross-section to its width, expressed as a percentage. In this case, the “65” indicates that the sidewall distance from the wheel rim to the outside of the tread is 65% of the width, which is 215 millimeters. Taller tires will have larger ratios, while low-profile tires generally sit under an aspect ratio of 50.
Construction: “R” stands for radial, the reference can also be D for diagonal or B for bias belt.
Rim Diameter Code: The diameter of the tire rim that the wheels sit on – in this case, the tire should be used only on 15-inch rims.
Load Index: Corresponding to the ETRTO standard Load Table, this is the shortcode for the maximum standard load the tire can bear. In this case, the shortcode is 90, which translates to 1,300 pounds. The load ratings for all four tires should be added up to find the total load capacity of the tires on the vehicle – with four tires like this, the weight of the vehicle, and all passengers and load, should be limited to 5,200 pounds.
Speed Rating: The final letter pertains to the speed rating of the tires or the maximum speed that the tire can be expected to handle in ideal conditions. Spare tires and winter tires generally have lower speed ratings, in the range of M to Q, while high-performance tires are in the V-Z range. In this case, H means a maximum speed rating of 130 miles per hour in ideal conditions.
Matching Tire to Purpose.
There is a multitude of different tires for different road conditions and driving preferences. We’ve listed a few of them below.
Winter Tires: Built for superior control on icy and snowy road surfaces, winter tires feature tread rubber compounds formulated to stay flexible in colder weather, unique tread depths and patterns, and more biting edges than usual.
Off-Road Tires: These are the go-to for adventure, with a stiffer build to take on the dangers of rough terrain, stiff knobs to dig in, and deep treads to wade through mud. They give up road performance and comfort, and can wear faster when used on the pavement too much.
Mud Terrain Tires: Sacrificing the full off-road capabilities for better on-road ride and control, mud terrain tires are great for the adventurer who still needs to make that morning commute.
Want to learn more about the different tires options available for your vehicle? Ready to find your new tire? Contact our staff at Lancaster Toyota for more information!
If you enjoyed reading this post and found it helpful, please share with your friends and family, thank you!
0 comment(s) so far on What Different Tire Options are There in Lancaster For My Toyota?