Example only
Tyre size, explained
Every tyre carries five numbers on the sidewall. Here is what each one tells you.
Width205
Profile55
RimR16
Load91
SpeedV
- 1Look at your sidewallFind the moulded code on the side of your current tyre. It reads like 245/45R17 95V. Yours will most likely be different to this example.
- 2Match each numberCompare width, profile, rim, load index and speed rating against the option that fits your car.
- 3Pick a like-for-likeUse the same size, or pick a higher rated one. Never a lower one.
Width (mm)
How wide the tyre is across the tread, in millimetres. A 245 tyre is 245mm wide.
Profile / aspect ratio (%)
Sidewall height as a percentage of the width. A 45 profile on a 245-wide tyre means the sidewall is 110mm tall.
Rim (R + inches)
The inner wheel diameter the tyre fits, in inches. R17 means a 17-inch wheel. R = radial construction.
Load index
A two- or three-digit code for the maximum weight the tyre can carry. 95 = 690 kg per tyre.
Speed rating
A letter for the maximum speed the tyre is approved for. V = 240 km/h, W = 270 km/h, Y = 300 km/h.
Where to find it
The full code (e.g. 245/45R17 95V) is moulded into the sidewall of every tyre. Match it exactly when you replace, including the speed rating, or use a higher-rated tyre.