Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Tire Identification
Tire type, size, load index and speed rating are encoded in the letters and numbers imprinted on the side wall of the tire. Refer to the Tire Identification chart to decipher the code. For example purposes, the tire size P225/60 R 16 97 T is used in the chart. An All Season type tire will also have either M + S, M AND S, or M - S (indicating mud and snow traction) imprinted on the side wall. An Extra or Light Load marking "XL" or "LL" may also be listed on the sidewall. The absence of an "XL" or "LL" marking infers a standard load tire.
TIRE IDENTIFICATION
| Reading Tire Codes | ||
|---|---|---|
| P | TIRE TYPE (Not present on all tires) | P - Passenger |
| T - Temporary | ||
| C - Commercial | ||
| LT - Light Truck | ||
| 225 | SECTIONAL WIDTH | SHOWN IN MILLIMETERS |
| 60 | ASPECT RATIO | SHOWN IN PERCENTAGE* |
| R | CONSTRUCTION TYPE | R - RADIAL |
| B - BIAS BELTED | ||
| D - DIAGONAL (BIAS) | ||
| 16 | WHEEL DIAMETER | SHOWN IN INCHES |
| 97 | LOAD INDEX | ** |
| T | SPEED RATING | ** |
| 1 - SECTIONAL WIDTH |
| 2 - SECTIONAL HEIGHT |
* Height (2) ÷ Width (1) = Aspect Ratio.
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.