Understanding and Finding Your Car Tyre Size

As we hit the road, our focus often centers on the thrill of driving, the destination that awaits, or the melodies playing through the speakers. Yet, amidst the excitement, one crucial aspect of our vehicle often goes unnoticed and underappreciated – the car tires. While they are the sole point of contact with the road, car tires are frequently neglected, with car owners remaining blissfully unaware of their technical specifications and the impact they have on their driving experience.

It's a common scenario; car owners may keep a keen eye on the vehicle's appearance, engine performance, and maintenance schedules, but rarely spare a thought for the intricate details of their wheels and tires. Unbeknownst to many, the correct tire size, load capacity, and speed rating are pivotal factors that influence a vehicle's handling, safety, and overall driving efficiency.

In this blog, we'll delve into the reasons why car tires often fall into the shadows of automotive care, explore the consequences of neglecting these crucial components, and empower car owners with the knowledge they need to understand and appreciate the technical specifications of their wheels and tires. We aim to steer car enthusiasts toward making informed decisions that prioritize not only their car's aesthetics and performance but also the safety and longevity of their cherished journeys.

So, let's journey together into the world of car tires and unveil the secrets that lie beneath the rubber – secrets that every car owner should know.

How to read car tyre size?

Identifying the tire size of your vehicle is generally a straightforward task once you know where to look. The tire size information is prominently displayed on the sidewall of each tire. You can find a combination of numbers and letters, such as "P155/80R1375T" or "215/55Z R17," providing vital details about the tire's width, aspect ratio, and wheel diameter. While it might appear complex at first glance, understanding these markings becomes intuitive with a little guidance.

The Eurometric System: The Eurometric system is a widely used standard for specifying tire sizes across the globe. A typical tire size is represented as numbers and letters, like "215/55 R17 91T." Some tires in this system, known as "full-profile" tires, may omit the profile number, like "215 R17," which is equivalent to "215/55 R17" in the standard format. Additionally, if a tire has a "C" at the end, it is intended for commercial vehicles. For example, a "215/55 R17 C" tire is the same as a "215/55 R17" tire but designed for commercial applications.

American Tire Size Comparison: The North American P-metric system serves as an alternative for marking tire sizes. Introduced by American tire manufacturers in 1977, it appears as "P155/80 R13 75T." Tires starting with a "P" are suitable for passenger cars, minivans, SUVs, and small pickup trucks. The "LT" designation indicates tires for light trucks. A European "C" tire can be compared to an "LT" sized tire in the American P-metric system.

Tyre Profiles Expressed as a Percentage

Tyre profiles, representing the sidewall height, are expressed as a percentage to establish the relationship between the height and width of the tyre. Over the years, tyre profiles have evolved, with each decade witnessing changes to enhance road holding. Using the percentage system allows for easy comparison of different tyre types and divides the entire range into convenient size groups, making it practical for displaying information.

Aspect Ratio and Tyre Performance

The aspect ratio of a tyre determines the sidewall's height, with higher ratios resulting in taller sidewalls. Vehicles like buses and trucks have tyres with high aspect ratios (up to 95) for a more comfortable ride and improved cushioning over bumps. On the other hand, high-performance and racing cars prefer low aspect ratio tyres, which have shorter and stiffer sidewalls. These tyres resist fast cornering forces better, leading to improved handling and reduced roll during cornering.

Rim Size Given in Inches

While tyre width is expressed in millimeters, the rim size of the wheel is traditionally given in inches. This consistent use of inches for rim sizes fits with the established system and avoids inconsistencies that could arise from mixing metric and imperial units. By maintaining this two-system approach, tyre specifications remain orderly and easy to understand for drivers.

Choosing the right tyre size

Choosing the right tire size for your car is crucial, but it can be influenced by various factors, especially if you make modifications to your vehicle. One critical factor is the load ratio, which determines the maximum weight the tire can handle. If you modify the car's weight, either by reducing it for increased speed or adding more mass with a larger engine, you'll need to reevaluate the load ratio and select appropriate tires accordingly.

Another aspect to consider is the tire width. Changing the tire width can significantly impact the car's appearance and stability on the road, but it should be done with caution. Going too narrow or too wide might affect the vehicle's dynamics or result in the tire rubbing against the wheel arch, posing safety risks.

Additionally, the tire diameter is essential to keep in mind. While some people change the wheel diameter for cosmetic reasons, doing so can cause issues with the speedometer and odometer readings since the tire's circumference changes. To maintain accuracy, it's essential to choose the right tire size that aligns with your car's specifications.

For example, if your car comes with factory-installed tires that are 532 mm in diameter, resulting in a circumference of 1,672 mm for each tire. If you consider switching to non-standard tires with a diameter of 578 mm, each new tire will have a circumference of 1,816 mm, meaning it covers 144 mm more with each revolution. This significant change affects your speedometer, making it show a speed nearly 9% slower than your actual speed when driving with the new tires. Which means if your speedometer is showing 80 kmph, you are actually doing 87.2 kmph.

Buy the right tyre for your car online

When it comes to purchasing tires for your vehicle, the convenience of online shopping combined with the assurance of professional installation is a winning combination. Look no further than shop.apollotyres.com for a seamless and hassle-free tire buying experience.

Apollo Tyres, a renowned name in the industry, offers an extensive range of top-quality tires for cars, bikes, and commercial vehicles, all available at your fingertips. With a user-friendly online platform, you can easily browse through their wide selection, compare prices, and find the perfect set of tires that suit your specific needs.

The process is simple and straightforward – after selecting your preferred tires online, you have the option to choose the nearest authorized tire dealer from Apollo Tyres' vast network of trusted partners. This unique "Buy Online Fit Offline" service ensures that you have access to professional tire fitting at an authorized dealership right in your local area.

Need help finding your car tyre size? Here we have a comprehensive list of tyres for Indian car models.

Maruti Suzuki Car Tyre Size Chart in India

TATA Motors Car Tyre Size Chart in India

Hyundai Car Tyre Size Chart in India

Honda Car Tyre Size Chart in India

Toyota Car Tyre Size Chart in India

Mahindra Car Tyre Size Chart in India

Renault Car Tyre Size Chart in India

Nissan Car Tyre Size Chart in India

Datsun Car Tyre Size Chart in India

Skoda Car Tyre Size Chart in India

Volkswagen Car Tyre Size Chart in India

Jeep Car Tyre Size Chart in India

Force Car Tyre Size Chart in India

Ford Car Tyre Size Chart in India

Fiat Car Tyre Size Chart in India

Chevrolet Car Tyre Size Chart in India