Tyre Size Guide: How To Read The Labels

How To Read My Tyre Size

Do you know where to find your tyre size and what all the symbols mean? Most people don’t know off-hand what their tyre size is or even where they should look to find it. For those of you who know all about tyre labelling, bear with us as there are many vehicle owners who are unfamiliar with the meaning of all the random letters and numbers.

Truth is, knowing your tyre size won’t affect your day-to-day life but it makes all the difference when buying new tyres. Fitting the right size tyres to your vehicle is essential for your safety and there are a few important things you need to keep in mind.

Checking Your Tyre Size

One of the quickest and easiest ways to find your tyre size is by entering your vehicle registration into our website. From there, you can choose the right tyre option for you before moving on. While this is accurate based on the vehicle registration database, you should also physically check your tyre size. You can find the information in your car’s manual or look for the label inside the driver’s door.

The other option is easier, especially if you know where to look and what it all means. Walk around your car and look at the tyres already fitted and you will see the size printed on the sidewall. We’ve included an example below of a tyre with labels indicating the relevant information.

How To Identify Tyre Size 

• ‘193’ refers to the tyre width in millimetres
• The ‘60’ refers to the profile or ratio of your tyres
• ‘R’ indicates the type of tyre you have fitted which is ‘Radial’
• The number ‘15’ shows the wheel rim’s diameter in inches
• Next is the number ‘94’ which is your tyre’s load index. This indicates the maximum weight that they can safely carry
• The final letter ‘W’ is the maximum speed rating that your tyres can handle. These can range from A to Y increasing in increments. W has a maximum safe speed of 168 mph

Taking the time to understand this information will ensure you fit the right tyres for your car. In addition, it can also offer you the best possible performance and vehicle safety. 

Find The Right Tyres For Your Car 

Considering the sheer number of tyre brands on the market, finding the right ones for your car can be challenging. There are several points to consider when buying tyres and that includes tyre size, weight requirements, how often you will drive and the type of conditions. It’s best to buy tyres according to your personal needs and, of course, the time of year.

Good quality tyres last longer and coupled with good driving habits can seriously help improve fuel efficiency. We often forget the important role tyres play so here’s a recap of the FOUR vital functions:

• Tyres provide grip for braking and acceleration
• Responsible for steering and directional control
• Support the weight of the entire vehicle, occupants and any additional load
• Tyres also act as shock absorbers for vibrations from the road

Need new tyres? You can now reserve your tyres online from Elite Garages 

Tyre Size And Knowing Your Labels 

We’ve already covered the tyre size and a few others but we feel that the following is also important:

• Fuel efficiency is on a sliding scale displayed from A (best) to G (worst). The difference in fuel consumption between a car fitted with A and G class tyres is approximately 0.5 litres per 60 miles (100 km)
• The wet grip performance is measured under controlled conditions and also rated from A (best) to G (worst). The labels include passenger car tyres (C1), light commercial vehicles (C2) and heavy vehicles, trucks, buses (C3)
• Exterior noise level is measured in decibels (dB) and indicated by using a pictogram showing up to three ‘sound waves’. A single ‘sound wave’ shows a relatively quiet tyre while three ‘sound waves’ indicate a noisier tyre 

When Should My Tyres Be Replaced?

Replacing tyres is an important part of vehicle maintenance as it helps with safety, performance, fuel efficiency and your budget. You should replace your tyres when they are damaged in any way or the tread has worn down to the minimum legal depth. Remember, the legal tread limit is 1.6 mm but experts recommend replacing tyres at 3 mm.

Lumps or bulges can be a sign of damage to the tyre structure which can lead to more serious problems. If you notice something lodged in your tyres like a nail, screw or glass, leave it in until you can get to a garage. Often, pulling it out could actually result in air escaping faster, leaving you stranded with a flat tyre. In addition to visual checks, keep an eye on how your car drives and feels.

Recommended: ‘Why Are My Tyres Going Bald?’

Which Tyres Are Best For My Car?

At Elite Garages, we take tyre safety extremely seriously which is why supply quality premium tyres for all types of vehicles. This includes cars, vans, motorcycles, caravans and trailers. We can even help you find a tyre for your lawnmower or wheelbarrow. Some of the tyre brands we stock include:

• Avon Tyres
• Continental Tyres
• Pirelli Tyres
• Hankook Tyres
• Firestone Tyres
• Dunlop Tyres
• Goodyear Tyres
• Michelin Tyres

If you take proper care of your tyres, perform wheel alignment checks and air pressure, you can substantially extend their lifespan. It’s also recommended to follow the vehicle manufacturer’s tyre replacement recommendations for original equipment. To determine the tyre’s manufacturing date, look for the DOT code on the sidewall of your tyres.

Premium Tyres At Elite Garages

All of our Elite Garages stock a wide range of premium tyres, budget tyres, run-flats, 4×4 tyres and performance tyres. We have over 1 million tyres in stock across the entire group and we pride ourselves on having excellent availability. Find out more about our Same Day / Next Day Fitting.

We supply all kinds of tyres that suit every budget and every vehicle. Our expert tyre technicians are among the best and will fit your tyres while you wait. To ensure you and your family have a safe journey throughout the year, we offer a range of FREE vehicle safety checks.

Our staff are professional, friendly and knowledgeable providing expert advice for that added peace of mind. When you are ready, get in touch for more information about reserving your tyres or our range of services.