Have you ever looked at the side of a tire and wondered what the various numbers mean? If so, Kia on the Boulevard is proud to help by providing detailed information about the safety, performance, and longevity of your tires. Please take a moment to explore our breakdown below, or get in touch with our Service Center in Philadelphia to receive additional details today!
Tire Size
Finding the size of your tires is often the easiest since it's the largest set of numbers on the sidewall. An example of this would be 225/60/R17, which indicates that the tire is 225 millimeters wide, the aspect ratio is 60 percent the width, and the tire has a radial construction that fits wheels with a diameter of 17 inches. Vehicles such as sports cars and luxury sedans often use a lower aspect ratio and wider tires for improved handling as they cruise around Burlington. In contrast, SUVs and trucks often use a higher aspect ratio for added durability and comfort.
Load Index and Speed Rating
Another set of letters and numbers you might see on the side of your tires is the load index and speed rating, which are both crucial to your safety on daily commutes and weekend adventures beyond Camden, NJ. The load index is a two or three-digit number that correlates to a maximum weight limit. For example, a load index of 85 allows each tire to support up to 1,135 pounds, while a load index of 140 allows each tire to support up to 5,512 pounds.
Speed ratings utilize letters to indicate the maximum speed before the tire becomes unsafe. Some tire brands add the speed rating to the sidewall before the wheel size, which can look like 225/60R17. Speed ratings often rise as load indexes fall, so you may have to balance capability and performance depending on how you utilize your vehicle near Cherry Hill, NJ. Examples include S with a maximum speed of 112 mph, H with a maximum speed of 130 mph, and Z with a maximum speed of 149 mph or greater.
Manufacture Date
Whether you're shopping for new tires or looking for information about the potential lifespan of tires on a used vehicle near Levittown, PA, looking for the manufacture date can be beneficial. Tire manufacturer dates use four numbers inside of a rectangle box, with the first two indicating a week and the second two indicating a year. As an example, a tire with 0324 would have been made in the third week of 2024.
We're Here For You
While decoding tires is a great skill, maintaining your tires is critical to receive optimal vehicle safety and performance. That's why our team of experts is proud to provide tire rotations, balancing, alignment, replacements, and repairs. When you're ready to receive care for your beloved vehicle, we'll be here to help you schedule an appointment online, over the phone, or in person.