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Maintenance
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7
2. Tire size designation
A tire’s sidewall is marked with a tire
size designation. You will need this
information when selecting replace-
ment tires for your car. The following
explains what the letters and numbers
in the tire size designation mean.
Example tire size designation:
(These numbers are provided as an
example only; your tire size designa-
tor could vary depending on your
vehicle.)
195/65R15 91H
P - Applicable vehicle type (tires
marked with the prefix “P’’ are
intended for use on passenger
vehicles or light trucks; however,
not all tires have this marking).
195 - Tire width in millimeters.
65 - Aspect ratio. The tire’s chapter
height as a percentage of its
width.
R - Tire construction code (Radial).
15 - Rim diameter in inches.
91 - Load Index, a numerical code
associated with the maximum
load the tire can carry.
H - Speed Rating Symbol. See the
speed rating chart in this chapter
for additional information.
Wheel size designation
Wheels are also marked with impor-
tant information that you need if you
ever have to replace one. The follow-
ing explains what the letters and
numbers in the wheel size designa-
tion mean.
Example wheel size designation:
6.0JX15
6.0 - Rim width in inches.
J - Rim contour designation.
15 - Rim diameter in inches.
Tire speed ratings
The chart below lists many of the dif-
ferent speed ratings currently being
used for passenger cars. The speed
rating is part of the tire size designa-
tion on the sidewall of the tire. This
symbol corresponds to that tire's
designed maximum safe operating
speed.
S
180 km/h (112 mph)
T
190 km/h (118 mph)
H
210 km/h (130 mph)
V
240 km/h (149 mph)
W
270 km/h (167 mph)
Y
300 km/h (186 mph)
Maximum Speed
Speed
Rating
Symbol
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