What does 225/60r17 refer to?
2 Answers
It refers to a tire with a section width of 225mm, an aspect ratio of 60%, and the 'r' indicating a radial structure with a rim diameter of 17 inches. Tire types are identified by international standard tire codes, which express the section width in millimeters and the aspect ratio as a percentage. Following these are the tire type code, rim diameter (in inches), load index (a code for permissible load capacity), and speed symbol (a code for permissible speed). In addition to the model, tires also bear the following common data: Tire cord material: Represented by Chinese Pinyin, such as M for cotton cord, R for rayon cord, N for nylon cord, G for steel cord, and ZG for steel radial cord tires. Speed rating: Indicates the maximum speed at which the tire can carry a specified load under defined conditions. Letters from A to Z represent certified speed ratings for tires ranging from 4.8km/h to 300km/h. Commonly used speed ratings include: Q: 160km/h; H: 210km/h; V: 240km/h; W: 270km/h; Y: 300km/h. Rim specification: Indicates the rim size compatible with the tire for practical use, such as standard rim 5.00F.
I recently got new tires for my car and specifically looked up the meaning of 225/60r17. Actually, the 225 refers to the tire width in millimeters, simply put, how wide the tread is, which directly affects grip and cornering stability. The 60 is a percentage, indicating that the tire height is 60% of the width—a higher aspect ratio makes for a more comfortable ride with less bumpiness, but sacrifices some handling. The R stands for radial construction, which is what most cars use nowadays due to its durability. The final 17 is the rim diameter in inches, determining what size alloy wheels you need. These numbers are super important when choosing tires—too big or too small can affect fuel efficiency and safety. After my tire change, my fuel consumption even dropped a bit—totally worth it.
