Tires

D & R Autoworks is a Goodyear authorized dealer and also offers many high quality name brand tires to meet or exceed your vehicle's demands. No matter what you drive from a daily commuter hybrid car to a 1 ton work truck, D & R Autoworks has the tires for you. Our expert Service Consultants are trained in advising you on the best tires for your vehicle and budget. Our expert technicians will install and computer balance your tires to ensure your vehicle will ride quiet, smooth, and safe. Remember out of balance tires can reduce fuel economy and damage vital chassis components. D&R autoworks offers Free Lifetime Tire Rotations and Flat Tire Repairs (Offer only good with the purchase of four new tires along with 4-wheel alignment from D & R Autoworks). Tire rotations are limited to every 6 months/6000 miles whichever comes first. Does not cover tire road hazard warranty.

 

How to Read Your Tire Size

So what do all the numbers on the side of my tires mean?

Look in your automobile owner's manual.  You'll find the size fitted on the car originally.  Unless you've changed wheels, that's the recommended size.  

Here's an illustration that should help you gain some important knowledge about your tires:

1.  P, indicates a passenger (car-type) tire.
Other options would be no P indicating metric sizing (essentially the same as P-sizing, which has its heritage in Europe) or LT for light truck.  LT tires are designed for heavier loads and more rugged service conditions.

2.  Width of the tire, in millimeters. 
The higher the number, the wider the tire.

3.  Aspect ratio.
The height of the sidewall section compared to the width of the tire.   Example:  If this number was a 50, then the tire section is half as tall as it is wide.  Short sidewalls deliver crisp handling.  Tall sidewalls give a smoother ride.  For a specific tire width, the smaller this number, the shorter the sidewall.

4.  Construction.
R indicates radial construction.  Unless you specify the other option, bias (which would have a D [diagonal] or B [belted bias] in this position instead of an R), you are purchasing a radial tire.

5.  Wheel Size Designation.
In simple terms, this indicates the distance across the "doughnut hole" of a tire. You must match wheel diameter and the tire opening.  A tire with a 15 size designation will not work on a 14" wheel, and vice versa.  Improper matching of wheel and tire size can cause serious injury or death during installation.

6.  Service Description.
Includes the load index (a number) and a speed symbol (a letter).  About load index, remember:  keep the number the same as or greater than the original tires' load index.  That number stands for a specific weight carrying capability.   Key is that the higher the number, the greater load carrying capacity.  So keep the number the same or higher, because your tires are matched to the weight of the car. Never choose a tire with a lower load carrying capacity than the original equipment tire size.
As for the speed symbol, it means the tire is speed-rated on an indoor test wheel to the following speeds:

N = 87 mph         U = 124 mph
P = 93 mph          H = 130 mph
Q = 99 mph         V = 149 mph
S = 112 mph        Z = 150+ mph
T = 118 mph        W = 169 mph
Y = 188 mph

We recommend that the replacement tires match the speed symbol of the original tires since these match the speed capability of the vehicle.