| On the side, referred to as the 'sidewall', of your tire is | | | | rated for 99 miles per hour, but unless you drive on a |
| a decent amount of information telling you how the tire | | | | race track you should not really be going this fast |
| is made, its size, what it was intended to do, and how | | | | anyway. To review, the entire string of letter and |
| fast it can go without blowing up. The first piece of | | | | number should look like this: 'P215/65 R15 89H" |
| information is found in the form of one or two letters, | | | | Elsewhere on the tire should be listed the maximum |
| followed by a three digit number and a two digit | | | | cold tire inflation pressure. It should be noted that this is |
| number separated by a '/' - like this: P215/65. The | | | | not the optimal pressure, but the maximum. The |
| letters indicate the type of tire - 'P' for passenger car | | | | pressure your tires should be inflated to can be found |
| and 'LT' for light truck. The first number indicates the | | | | on a sticker inside the driver's doorjamb. Correctly |
| width of the tire's tread in millimeters. The second | | | | inflating your tires is the #1 way to reduce your car |
| number is the 'aspect ratio'. This describes the height | | | | operating costs - doing so increases your MPG and |
| of the sidewall expressed as a percentage of the tires | | | | the life of your tires - which saves you money! Also |
| width. Next is one letter followed by a two-digit | | | | found on the tire are DOT and UTQG certification |
| number, like this: 'R15'. The letter refers to the | | | | numbers - these are not used by the average |
| construction of the tire, either 'R' for radial or 'B' for | | | | consumer. |
| bias. The number refers to the diameter of the wheel | | | | Besides keeping your tires properly inflated and buying |
| the tire was made for, in inches. Finally comes a | | | | the least expensive tire for your application, there are |
| two-digit number followed by a letter - like this - '89H'. | | | | two more ways to save money on your tires. The |
| The number indicates the load index which can be | | | | first is to buy used tires. While this sounds questionable, |
| used to look up the maximum weight the tire can | | | | in reality used tires should be fine for everyday driving. |
| support. The letter indicates the top speed the tire is | | | | To find a used tire dealer you may have to venture |
| rated for. You can save money on your tires by | | | | into less affluent areas of town. Another way to save |
| buying code "H" speed rated tires. These tires are only | | | | money on tires is to order them online from Tire Rack. |