Car experts have urged all motorists to understand the codes on their tyres in case of an emergency, as well as being as safe as possible while out on the roads
While no one ever wants to experience their car with a flat tyre, motorists are urged to check their tyres. Understanding your car tyres is essential for driving safely, and all drivers should make sure they know exactly what each code means.
Most people will know there are codes and letters on their tyres, but many don’t actually know what they stand for.
Tyres can provide key details such as width, speed rating, and load capacity, and understanding how to read them will make it easier to buy replacements and improve overall road safety.
Harry Waring, Motoring expert at Cazoo, has detailed what each code means on tyres in a bid to help drivers with their tyre knowledge and prevent getting in a pickle when needing a replacement.
Equally, if you’re on the hunt for a great deal and you want to know more about the second-hand car you’re thinking of buying, this information is good to have in your back pocket.
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According to Harry, every individual tyre, no matter the brand, will have a specific sequence on it which relates to particular information. “The easiest way to explain this is to break them down and think of each one as an individual part that makes up the whole sequence,” he explained.
An example would be: 225/55 ZR17 101W
Width of the tyre – 225/55 ZR17 101W
- The first number will contain three digits and tell you the width of your tyre, with the average usually being between 180 and 250 mm wide.
The tyre’s profile – 225/55 ZR17 101W
- This is the second value – a two-digit number – that essentially describes a tyre’s depth measured by percentage. For example, this one’s depth is 55% of the total width (255mm)
A tyre’s speed rating OR construction – 225/55 ZR17 101W
- This refers to the maximum speed you can drive with that tyre
- This is listed alphabetically on a scale of A-Z, with Z being for tyres built to handle higher speeds. So, our example has a high speed rating of 150 mph+
- It is usually followed by an ‘R’, which indicates how the tyre is made (e.g., R for radial construction), although this may differ on vintage cars.
Wheel’s diameter – 225/55 ZR17 101W
- This figure refers to the width of your tyres in inches.
The tyre’s weight rating – 225/55 ZR17 101W
- This final numerical value reveals the maximum weight that a tyre is constructed to handle – the higher the number, the more weight it can support.
- You should multiply this by 4 to find the maximum weight your car can handle – this is especially important if you’re carrying luggage to and from the airport, for example.
Specific speed rating – 225/55 ZR17 101W
- Finally, this alphabetical value is another safety-minded speed rating which determines the maximum speed your car can travel before the tyre risks failing. This is also determined from A-Z.
The expert said it’s important to make sure all four of your tyres match up, as it can “provide a boost to your safety on the roads”.
He warned that mismatched tyres, “make the car less safe to drive due to an imbalance in performance between the two sides”. This goes for buying a new car as well.
“You can find the ideal tyre for your vehicle by searching for its make and model online or by consulting a tyre retailer. If you want to replace any of your car’s tyres, you can order new ones yourself easily online, but you’ll need to know this sequence to place your order,” he added.
It’s also important to note that tyre safety is key to regularly checking your tyre pressure.
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