How is tire size represented?
2 Answers
Tire size is printed on the sidewall and can be represented in two ways: High-pressure tires: High-pressure tires are generally represented as "tire diameter × tire section width," such as 34×7. Low-pressure tires: Low-pressure tires are generally represented as "section width ~ rim diameter," such as 7.5~20, with the unit in inches (1in = 0.0254m). Additional information: Tire markings: Tires also have various markings, for example, D is used for light vehicles, F for medium-sized vehicles, G for standard vehicles, and H, L, J for large luxury and high-performance vehicles. Radial tires: If the letter R is added on the sidewall, such as 175R13, it indicates a radial tire, where the tire section width is 6.9in (175mm), the rim diameter is 13in (330mm), and the word RADIAL is usually also engraved.
Tire sizing is actually quite straightforward, mainly by looking at the combination of numbers and letters printed on the sidewall. For example, the one on my car is 225/65R17, and this string contains all the information. The first number, like 225, represents the tire width in millimeters; the following 65 is the aspect ratio, meaning the tire height is a percentage of the width; the letter R indicates the structure is radial; the final number 17 is the rim diameter in inches. Using the wrong size when changing tires can make the car unstable or increase fuel consumption. Once, I mistakenly used a smaller size and felt the steering was particularly heavy. Later, I obediently switched back to the original size, saving a lot of trouble. Regularly checking tire wear can also help identify problems early, maintaining a comfortable driving experience.
