How To Determine An Appropriate Tire Size For Your Mazda?

When you're planning to replace your tires, you will need to know how to read and determine the tire size. This is important to buy the correct replacement tires for your car.

This blog post by John Lee's Panama City Mazda will explain each of these numbers and how to use them to pick out new tires for your car. Stay safe on the road!

You can find a series of numbers and letters on the sidewall of the tires or in your car’s owner’s manual. This will tell you everything you need to know about the tire size!

Let’s start by decoding these numbers & letters: P245/50R20 102V

1. The first letter ‘P’ stands for ‘Passenger’ car.
2. The next three digits represent the width of the tire. In this case, it’s 245 millimeters
3. The next two digits represent the aspect ratio. In this case, it’s 50% of the width
4. The next letter indicates the construction – it’s “R” in our example which stands for ‘Radial’ construction.
5. The diameter of the wheel is measured at 17 inches
6. 102 is the load index of the tire
7. V represents a specific maximum speed of 149 miles per hour.

The width will affect the size of the contact patch, which is the amount of tread that touches the road. A wider tire will have a larger, stable contact patch and may provide better traction. Still, it will also create more rolling resistance, decreasing fuel economy.

The second number in the sequence is known as the aspect ratio. That numbers indicate the percentage of the tire width occupied by the sidewall height. In our example, 50% of 245mm is 122.5mm. This means that the sidewall height is 122.5mm. A lower aspect ratio indicates a tire for high-performance driving as it provides better handling. However, a lower aspect ratio also means a harsher ride since there is less cushioning between the wheel and the road.

"R" is a reading denoting the tire is radial, the most common construction type. Radial tires are characterized by steel belts running radially across the tire from one bead to the other. This design offers superior handling, treadwear, and fuel economy compared to other construction types.

The highest weight a tire can support is called the 'Load Index.' In this case, the load index is 97, meaning the tire can support up to 1,653 lbs.

The speed rating refers to the maximum speed a tire can safely maintain over a long period. The speed rating for this tire is "V," which means that it can maintain speeds up to 149 mph for extended periods.

If you're still skeptical, don't hesitate to contact John Lee Mazda serving Rosemary Beach, FL.

We have a team of tire experts to guide you at our tire center in Florida. From your driving style to the weather in your area, we carefully consider everything before picking the perfect set of tires for you!