How to read your tyre size

The first number on your tyre’s sidewall is its width. It represents the distance in millimetres from one sidewall to the other. For example, you may see ‘195’ on your tyre. That indicates the tyre is 195mm wide from the inner sidewall to the outer sidewall.

Tyreright Tip: Wide and heavy tyres tend to consume more fuel. On the other hand, narrow tyres are lighter and provide better fuel economy. However, they also have a thinner footprint, which means they have less grip on the road. So, it’s important to find the right balance.

The next number tells you the height of your tyre’s sidewall. It’s a measurement of the height of the tyre from the base of the tread to the rim. It’s expressed as a percentage of the tread width. So, if you see a number like ‘55’, it means the sidewall height is 55% of the tyre width. When you have low-profile tyres, you’ll notice smaller aspect ratio percentages.

Tyreright Tip: High-profile tyres have a taller sidewall. They make more contact with the road surface, which means better fuel efficiency and a more comfortable ride. On the other hand, low-profile tyres are often used in high-performance cars. They have smaller aspect ratios, meaning a shorter sidewall. They offer better grip, braking abilities, and handling, especially in sports or performance-oriented driving situations.

Right after the Profile Number, you’ll notice a letter. This indicates the specific method used to build the tyre. The most common letter you’ll see is ‘R’, for Radial. This simply means that the tyre is built using radial ply construction – several layers that are arranged perpendicular to the tread to boost the strength of the tyre.

Tyreright Tip: Most tyres these days are made using radial construction, it’s the most popular and widely used method for making tyres for passenger vehicles.

Next, you’ll spot a number that indicates the Rim Size. This measurement is given in inches and tells you the diameter of the wheel rim. In simple terms, it’s the distance between the two opposite edges of the wheel rim. So, when you see a number like ‘15’, it means the rim size is 15 inches in diameter.

Tyreright Tip: To ensure a safe fit, consult your owner’s manual and find out the range of tyre sizes that can be safely used. If you decide to change your rim size, it’s important to make sure the overall diameter of the tyre stays the same.

Next is a 2 to 3-digit code. It indicates the maximum weight that your tyre can safely handle at full speed. Keep in mind that this depends on the tyre being in good condition, properly installed, and inflated to the recommended pressure.

Tyreright Tip: It’s critical to choose a tyre with a load rating compatible with your vehicle. If your tyre can’t handle the weight of your car and its passengers, it could lead to accidents or other problems on the road.

The Speed Index is the last letter on your tyre. It’s a code that sits alongside the Load Index and shows the maximum speed your tyre can handle before it starts to fail. Each letter corresponds to a specific speed – the higher the letter is in the alphabet, the higher the speed.

Tyreright Tip: It’s crucial to never fit a tyre with a lower Speed Index than what’s recommended for your vehicle. It may lose pressure, overheat, or burst, putting you and others on the road at risk.

Driving with a punctured tyre can lead to loss of pressure, causing a loss of steering control, which in turns endangers yourself and others. Run Flat tyres offer a safer alternative, allowing you to drive with no sudden deflation and reach a safe location. Run Flat tyres have reinforced sidewalls and heat-resistant rubber to keep the tyre from collapsing so you can continue to a safe location.  Note: tyres with Run Flat Technology should only be fitted to vehicles that are equipped with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Tyres embedded with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags use radio waves to communicate information about the tyre to a reader device. The RFID tag in the tyre contains a small chip and antenna that can be used to track the tyre’s location, monitor tyre pressure and temperature, and even detect tyre wear and tear. RFID tyres have benefits such as improving fleet management. For example, fleet managers can use RFID technology to track their tyres, monitor their condition, and schedule maintenance or replacement as needed. This can help to reduce downtime and improve overall fleet efficiency.

VF (Very High Flexion) tyres are a type of agricultural tyre that has been developed in recent years to provide farmers with better performance and efficiency. These tyres are designed to operate at very low pressures, allowing for a larger tyre footprint and better distribution of weight, which can reduce soil compaction and improve traction. VF tires have stiffer sidewalls and more flexible treads compared to traditional radial tyres, which allows them to carry heavier loads without damaging the tyre or compromising performance.

Bluetooth-enabled tyres, also known as “smart tyres,” are a relatively new technology that has been developed by some tyre manufacturers. These tyres are equipped with Bluetooth sensors that can monitor and transmit real-time information about the tyre’s pressure, temperature, and other important data to a driver’s smartphone or other device. This technology can help drivers to stay informed about the condition of their tyres and receive alerts if there are any issues, helping to prevent accidents and prolong the life of their tyres.