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What is the tire size for my car?

The tire size for your car is an important factor to consider for both safety and performance. The correct tire size is specified by the vehicle manufacturer and can be found in your owner's manual or on a placard located inside the driver's side door jamb. Knowing the right tire size is crucial to ensure your car handles properly and provides a smooth, safe ride.


Understanding Tire Size Designations


Tire size designations can seem complex, but they provide important information about the tire's dimensions. A typical tire size looks like this: P215/55R17. Here's what each part of the designation means:



  • P - Indicates a passenger vehicle tire

  • 215 - The tire's width in millimeters

  • 55 - The aspect ratio, which is the ratio of the tire's sidewall height to the tread width

  • R - Indicates a radial tire construction

  • 17 - The wheel diameter in inches that the tire is designed to fit


Knowing the correct tire size for your vehicle is crucial for maintaining proper handling, fuel efficiency, and safety.


Locating Your Tire Size Information


The best place to find the recommended tire size for your car is in your owner's manual or on the tire information placard located inside the driver's side door jamb. This placard will list the original equipment tire size, as well as the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle.


If you don't have access to your owner's manual or the door placard, you can also check the sidewall of your current tires. The tire size will be clearly printed there, but keep in mind that the previous owner may have installed a different size than what was originally recommended.


Replacing Tires with the Correct Size


When it's time to replace your tires, it's important to match the new tires to the size specified for your vehicle. Using the wrong tire size can negatively impact your car's handling, braking, and fuel economy. It's best to consult your owner's manual or the tire information placard to ensure you purchase the correct replacement tires.


In summary, knowing the right tire size for your car is essential for safe and optimal performance. By following the manufacturer's recommendations, you can ensure your vehicle handles properly and provides a smooth, comfortable ride.

Where can I find the tire size for my car?


Find the information in your vehicle owner's manual in the glove compartment or on the tire information sticker on your driver's side door.



Can I use 275 tires instead of 265?


Going from 265 to 275 is fine on your car and you should not notice any difference in driving. It's less than a 4% difference in width: 10/265 = 0.0377).



How can I tell my tire size?


You can find the correct tire size by looking for its code sequence on the tire's sidewall, your driver's side door jamb, or the inside of your glove box. While finding it might be half the battle, learning what every letter and number means could be just as easy with this tire sizing guide.



How do I check my tire size?


Where can I find my tire size? The tire size for your vehicle and wheels can be found in two places: Sidewall of your tire. Inside frame of the driver side door.



How do I find the tyre size for my car?


Your tyre size can be found on the sidewall of your current tyre and is a sequence of numbers and letters. The most common tyre size in the UK is 205/55R16 but there are many variations so it's important to check your existing tyre or to check your vehicle handbook to ensure the right tyre size has been installed.



Does the VIN tell you the tire size?


The original tire size of your vehicle can be determined by decoding your VIN. The VIN holds information about the manufacturer's specifications for your vehicle, including the tire size that it was originally equipped with. This information is valuable for maintaining the performance and safety of your vehicle.



Where do I find my tire size on my car?


Where can I find my tire size? The tire size for your vehicle and wheels can be found in two places: Sidewall of your tire. Inside frame of the driver side door.



What size is a 285 tire in inches?


Tire Sizes, Overall Diameter and Width

Tire SizeOverall Diameter (Inches)Width (Inches)
285/70R1732.711.2
285/75R1733.811.2
295/35R1725.111.6
295/70R1733.311.6



How do I read my car tire size?


The two-digit number after the slash mark in a tire size is the aspect ratio. For example, in a size P215/65 R15 tire, the 65 means that the height is equal to 65% of the tire's width. The bigger the aspect ratio, the bigger the tire's sidewall will be.



How do you calculate tire size?


To calculate the overall diameter of a tire, the sidewall height must be multiplied by 2 (remembering that the tire diameter is made up of 2 sidewalls, the one above the wheel and the one below the wheel touching the ground) and add the diameter of the wheel.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.