•
Tread area of the tire:
Area of
the perimeter of the tire that
contacts the road when
mounted on the vehicle.
•
Rim:
The metal support
(wheel) for a tire or a tire and
tube assembly upon which the
tire beads are seated.
Information Contained on the
Tire Sidewall
United States of America, and
Canada Federal regulations
require tire manufacturers to place
standardized information on the
sidewall of all tires. This
information identifies and
describes the fundamental
characteristics of the tire and also
provides a United States of
America DOT Tire Identification
Number for safety standard
certification and in case of a recall.
P Type Tires
P215/65R15 95H is an example of
a tire size, load index and speed
rating. The definitions of these
items are listed below.
Note:
Tire size, load index and
speed rating for your vehicle may
be different from the following
example.
H
I
J
K
L
M
A
B
C D
E
F
G
E142543
P:
Indicates a tire,
designated by the Tire
and Rim Association, that
may be used for service on
cars, sport utility vehicles,
minivans and light trucks.
A
215:
Indicates the nominal
width of the tire in
millimeters from sidewall
edge to sidewall edge. In
general, the larger the
number, the wider the tire.
B
65:
Indicates the aspect
ratio which gives the tire's
ratio of height to width.
C
R:
Indicates a radial type
tire.
D
245
Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing
Wheels and Tires