De-coding Tires
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2020 6:30 pm
I always have to go to the internet to determine what all the numbers mean on the sidewall of tires, so I put together this cheat sheet and thought some of you might also find it helpful:
Tire Width (mm)- this number is usually the first one in the size description, 255/ 40/17
Sidewall Height (% of tread width)- this number is the second one in the size description 255/40/17
Wheel Size (inches)- this number is the last one in the size description 255/40/17
Date of Manufacture- the DOT Code shows the week and year of manufacture. A DOT code of 1015 means the tire was manufactured the 10th week of 2015.
Speed Ratings- single letter ratings on the tire indicate maximum speed rating. S- up to 112 mph, H- up to 130 mph, V- up to 149 mph, Z- up to 149 mph, W- up to 168 mph, V- up to 186 mph.
Temperature Grade- grades range from A to C, with A being the highest rating and C being the lowest.
Traction Grade- grades range from AA to C, with AA being the best wet traction and C being the worst
Tread Wear Grade- grades range from 100 to 600, with the higher number designating longer tread wear and harder compound, and the lower number designating shorter tread wear and softer compound. Note: tread wear numbers are only comparable within brands, not between brands.
Tire Width (mm)- this number is usually the first one in the size description, 255/ 40/17
Sidewall Height (% of tread width)- this number is the second one in the size description 255/40/17
Wheel Size (inches)- this number is the last one in the size description 255/40/17
Date of Manufacture- the DOT Code shows the week and year of manufacture. A DOT code of 1015 means the tire was manufactured the 10th week of 2015.
Speed Ratings- single letter ratings on the tire indicate maximum speed rating. S- up to 112 mph, H- up to 130 mph, V- up to 149 mph, Z- up to 149 mph, W- up to 168 mph, V- up to 186 mph.
Temperature Grade- grades range from A to C, with A being the highest rating and C being the lowest.
Traction Grade- grades range from AA to C, with AA being the best wet traction and C being the worst
Tread Wear Grade- grades range from 100 to 600, with the higher number designating longer tread wear and harder compound, and the lower number designating shorter tread wear and softer compound. Note: tread wear numbers are only comparable within brands, not between brands.