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How to find and read your tire size

The days are getting shorter, and the temperature is dropping day by day. You know what that means: winter tire season is here!


Our tire experts recommend getting your tires switched from summer to winter once the temperature drops and stays consistently at or below 7 degrees Celsius.


It is time to grab your tire size and contact Quick Lane for a quote. Do you know where to look for your tire size, or what all those numbers and letters even mean? Let’s break it down for you.


Where to find your tire size

Finding the right size for your vehicle is a relatively simple one, and quick too! The best place to start is with your Owner’s Manual which will give you the manufacturer-recommended tire size and inflation.


If you can’t find your Owner’s Manual, don’t worry, there are other ways you can find your tire size. Your tire size may also be found in these locations:

  • The driver's side door jam

  • Inside your glove box door

  • Within your gas tank hatch


And of course, the tire size is also printed on the sidewall of your current tires.


How to read your tire size

A.      Tire Type

Tires are not all treated the same. Different vehicles will require different types of tires. This is where the first letter on your tire size comes in. This first tells you the class type of vehicle a tire is intended for.


P - stands for passenger vehicle tires. This class can include cars, SUVs, crossovers, minivans and smaller pickup trucks, as well as EVs.

LT – stands for light truck tires. These are often equipped on three-quarter or 1-ton trucks and SUVs. These tires are made for vehicles capable of carrying heavy loads, towing trailers, or for those looking for an extra heavy-duty option. 


B.      Tire Width

The next three-digit number refers to the tire’s width in millimeters. The width is measured from side wall to side wall, looking at the tire head on, rather than from the side.


C.     Aspect Ratio

The next two-digit number is the aspect ratio, and it is separated from the tire width by a forward slash. The aspect ratio – sometimes referred to as a profile – is indicated on the sidewall as a percentage. It’s the height of the sidewall measured from wheel rim to top of the tread, expressed as a percentage of tire width.


So, a 65 on the sidewall would indicate that the tire’s sidewall is 65% as the tire is wide. The higher the aspect ratio, the larger the tire's sidewall.


D.     Construction Type

The next individual letter will tell you the internal construction of the tire. This will be shown as either an R or a D.


R stands for radial tires and is the industry standard today. Most tires sold will have this construction type. In a radial tire, the plies — layers of strong cords made of a blend of polyester, steel and fabric and coated with rubber — are laid perpendicular to the direction of travel. This basically means the piles are going from the center outward along a radius.


D is for tires built with diagonal (crisscrossed) plies, called bias-constructed tires. Some motorcycle and trailer tires still use this internal construction, but they are uncommon on the market today.


E.      Wheel Diameter

The final two-digit number is the wheel diameter in inches. It is determined by measuring the distance from one side of the wheel to the other, through the center point. The final number determines what size wheel (rim) your tire will fit.


Winter Tire Symbols

Finally let’s talk about the different symbols you will see on winter tires, in addition to the tire size. Just like your tire size, you can find what kind of winter tire you have on the sidewall of your tires. You will likely see one of 2 symbols for winter tires: the M+S symbol and the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol.


Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol

The Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Symbol (also referred to as the Alpine symbol) means the tires meet the specific snow traction performance requirements and have been designed specifically for use in severe snow conditions.


All winter tires that are marked with the Alpine symbol undergo testing on medium-packed snow in standardized conditions to ensure their snow traction performance meets the minimum industry requirements to be considered a winter tire.


M+S symbol

Simply put, M+S tires mean they are rated for Mud and Snow. More specifically, M+S tires are based on the geometry of the tread design intended for use on muddy and/or snow-covered roads. Tires with tread designs that meet the definition may be branded M+S at the discretion of the tire manufacturer.


Not all tires are created equal, nor is every tire applicable to every vehicle. There are several exceptional tire brands on the market, and generally, each has an entry-level, mid-range and high-end tire option. 


The tire experts at Lacombe Quick Lane Tire & Auto Centre will help you find the right tire for your vehicle at the best possible price, you can click here to request a quote. We stock every major tire brand with sizes to fit every make and model of vehicle.

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