Finding Your Car Tire Size and Loading Information

Your vehicle owner’s manual isn’t always the easiest place to find the basic information about it. There’s a much easier place to quickly access when you open the drivers door that has some of the basic data printed on it as a handy reference when replacing tires or adding passengers and cargo. Learn about the fundamentals of tire size and how to read the door jamb sticker. 

The tire size for your vehicle can be found in two places

• On the Sidewall of your current tire. The tire size usually starts with a P or LT. Example: P225/60R16
• Inside frame of the driver’s side door on the door jamb sticker. 

Understanding tire and loading information on a door jamb sticker

Seating capacity: This states how many seats are in the vehicle, which determines the legal number of occupants that can ride along in the car. 

Combined weight of occupants and cargo: For your safety and the vehicle’s performance, make sure you never exceed this maximum weight limit. Knowing your vehicle’s particular weight limit will help prevent the possibility of exceeding it. Example: four occupants weighing 175 pounds each plus two 50-pound luggage bags in the trunk total 800 pounds — and that exceeds this model’s prescribed 668-pound maximum weight limit.

Size/dimensions: These will ensure that the correct replacement tires for both the front and rear that you purchase are installed on the vehicle. Some vehicles may have staggered tire sizes. If applicable, don’t forget to check the spare tire regularly for air pressure. 

Cold tire pressure: This the recommended PSI level for each tire inflation. When checking the pressure, make sure the vehicle has been parked for at least three hours before taking a PSI reading and making any adjustment. Do not inflate the tires to the maximum pressure shown on the sidewall of the tire. Over inflated tires will adversely affect safety performance and cause uneven tire tread wear. 

We recommend reading the owner’s manual for additional information and to fully familiarize yourself with your vehicle.

What does my tire size mean?

Tire Width: The first three numbers of a tire size measures the width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall. If the tire size is 255/60 R16, the width of the tire is 255 millimeters.

Tire Aspect Ratio: The two digit number after the slash mark is the aspect ratio which measures the tire’s cross-section to it’s width. If the tire size is 255/60 R16, the 60 means that the height is 60% of the tire’s width. The bigger the aspect ratio, the bigger the tire’s sidewall will be.

Tire Construction: In between the Aspect Ratio and Rim Diameter, is the construction of the tire. If the tire size is 255/60 R16, the “R” stands for Radial, which means the layers of the tire run in straight lines across the tire. If there is a “B” instead of an “R” listed on your tires, the “B” stands for Bias construction which means the layers run diagonally across the tire.

Wheel Size (Rim Diameter): Located after Construction is the wheel size, which tells us the size of the wheel/rim that the tire is intended to fit and is measured from one end of the wheel to the other. If the tire size is 255/60 R16, the 16 means that the wheel is 16″ in diameter.

Tire Load Rating/Index: To support the weight of the vehicle, each tire is assigned a designated number that coincides with the maximum weight that the tire can support when it has been inflated. If your tire size is 255/60 R16/82S, the load rating/index would be 82 meaning the load in lbs would be 1,047lbs. A high tire load index number means the tire can hold a a greater load carrying capacity. If you purchase a tire with a lower load index than what is recommended for your vehicle, the tire will not be able to carry the weight of the vehicle. 

Tire Speed Rating: A Tire Speed Rating indicates the maximum speed capability or limit at which your tire was designed to perform. Although the speed rating indicated the max speed capability of the tire, this number does not imply that the tires can be driven on safely at it’s maximum speed, especially in harsh road conditions. If your tire size is 255/60 R16/82S, the “S” would indicate that the maximum speed capability for the tire would be 112mph.

Get An Instant Tire Quote Online

Sherwood Ford is the lowest price tire shop near Edmonton, Alberta with complimentary Valet Service for all your tire and full vehicle service needs including oil change, brake service, wheel alignment and battery replacement. We offer a full line of tires online, from the most popular and trusted brands at the guaranteed lowest prices! Click the image below to get an instant quote on new replacement tires for all makes, models and years.

Choose from our giant inventory of popular Canadian tire brands and options for all types of tires for your Ford and other automotive brands. Whether you need new tires for your daily commute or off-road tires for your truck, from cars to SUVs, we have the right tires, the right fit and the right price with our Price Match Promise: If you find a lower advertised price from one of our competitors, we’ll match it!We will not be undersold on tires!

Reach out to our Tire Specialists team with any questions you may have about tire size for your car, truck or SUV.