decoding tire size

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May 13, 2005 | 09:01 AM

fordxxx

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From: Calgary

decoding tire size

I am sure some of you understand what the numbers that designate a tire size mean. For example P215/75R15...what does each number mean.

Thanks

May 13, 2005 | 10:15 AM

bsour

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From: Boise, ID

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=46

May 13, 2005 | 10:18 AM

qman

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P -passenger tire (I think)
215 - width of the tire tread is 215mm
75 - height of the tire is 75% the tread width (75% of 215mm = 161.25mm)
R - Radial
15 - the diameter of the rim it was made for is 15"

After I typed all that, I found this:

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoSidewall.dos

May 13, 2005 | 10:19 AM

bsour

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From: Boise, ID

That link won't work properly. You will have to copy, paste, and edit:

www(.)tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=46

May 13, 2005 | 10:22 AM

qman

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bsour, I guess we were responding at the same time. The tirerack website has better detailed info than does Discount's.

May 13, 2005 | 04:50 PM

fordxxx

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From: Calgary

Thanks guys. So if I wanted a tire that was wider but about the same diameter (so I wouldn't have to change my speedo gear) then I could replace my P215/75R15's with P230/70R15's. Does that sound right?