What size of tires fit my car? Before you go out to purchase new tires, you must know exactly what size will fit your vehicle best. While it seems like a pretty obvious question, there are some less apparent factors that you must take into account when deciding what type of tire will fit on your vehicle.
For example, do you have an all-wheel-drive or rear-wheel drive? Do you have a lot of horsepower under the hood, or is your car more petite in nature and not extremely powerful?
These things will all play an integral part in determining what tire size fits best.
However, don’t worry – we have covered you with our easy-to-read blog below. Keep reading to learn more.
What Size of Tires Fit My Car?
Tire size is the diameter of the rim in inches and is commonly measured from one side of the tire’s sidewall to the other. Normally, every vehicle has a specific tire size, although it may vary depending on whether you have a front- or rear-wheel-drive vehicle. And in most cases, the wheel diameter will affect your tire size to a large extent. Here is an explanation of various terms for tire sizes.
Terms for tire sizes
Wheel Diameter
This is the measurement from one side of the wheel to the other, including tire tread. In other words, it’s how big your wheels are.
Wheel Width
The width of your wheel is measured from one bead to the other. For example, if your car has a 17-inch wheel diameter and a 7-inch-wide rim, your wheel width will definitely be 10 inches.
Tire Width
Tire width is measured by comparing the sidewall height with its cross-section width at its widest point. It is typically expressed as inches, although in metric units such as millimeters, you can also express it.
Load Index of a Tire
The load index tells you how much weight a particular tire can safely carry. A high load index indicates more weight can be easily carried without worries of inconveniences. So, if you overload the vehicle beyond the tire load index, it may end up causing blowouts.
The Speed Rating
The speed rating tells how fast a tire is designed to travel at highway speed without risking damage or being unsafe. So, while it doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t be able to drive faster than its rated speed limit, it does mean that driving faster than that rating could risk inconveniences.
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What’s My Car Tire Size?
There’s more to tires than just size. Tires are designed to fit a specific wheel, although they also need to be appropriate for your car’s weight and intended use. For example, a heavy pickup truck might require a different tire size than a smaller sedan.
How to know the size of your car tire
You can find the right tire sizes for any vehicle by following these steps:
Measure your current tires.
Measure the diameter of each tire using a tape at least three times and write down each in inches and millimeters (mm). Also, record the width of each tire as it appears on the rim.
Look up your vehicle’s specifications.
Your owner’s manual should indicate what type of tires are recommended for your vehicle and its weight class. You’ll also find information about the size of wheels that come with your car’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM) package.
If you don’t have an owner’s manual, look up your vehicle model online or ask a service advisor at an auto parts store to help you find the correct information.
Compare measurements from Step 1 with those from Step 2 to determine whether you need new tires or if there is enough room for improvement.
Ultimately, most new cars and trucks are equipped with standard P-metric sized tires (P235/75R15), identified as “P” on each tire’s sidewall. Similarly, they have a load index of 80 or higher (the higher the number, the greater capacity for weight) and an R or S speed rating.
You may also see a “T” designation on some tires —meaning they’re tubeless and require no additional equipment for inflation.
Read: what causes a tire to fall off?
Factors To Consider When Choosing the Correct Tire Size
You want to be sure that the tires you choose will last the life of your vehicle and provide enough traction. Here are some factors you should consider when choosing the correct tire size:
Vehicle Weight
The weight of your vehicle is one of the most important factors in determining how much pressure should be put onto your tire. So, the heavier the car, the more air pressure you will need to maintain proper balance and handling.
Wheel Size
When choosing tire sizes, you also consider your vehicle’s wheel size capacity. Changing wheel sizes will affect your tire inflation levels. So, if you go for larger wheels than in stock, you may need more air pressure to maintain proper vehicle balance.
Similarly, if you go for smaller wheels than stock, you may not need as much air pressure.
Tire Width Vs. Rim Width
The width of your tire will affect how much rubber will be in contact with the road, determining your vehicle’s gripping capability in corners and overall stability. That’s why a wider tire will grip well due to more tread surface area than their counterparts.
Wider tires also allow you to run on lower air pressure without compromising handling or stability—a smaller air volume means less rolling resistance while cornering, which translates into better braking performance and better acceleration through corners.
Tire Type / Construction
Some tires are built with extra reinforcements that help them resist punctures, while others are designed to dissipate heat more efficiently to prevent blowouts during high-speed driving conditions.
In the end, it is hard to say exactly what size of tires will fit your car.
However, what is certain is that you need to accurately measure your tires before heading out to purchase new ones. Fortunately, this isn’t too difficult to do, and you should have everything you need readily available.