How to Read a Tire Size in Hillsboro, KS
The short answer
A tire size like 225/65R17 102H tells you the tire's width, how tall its sidewall is, how it is built, what wheel it fits, how much weight it can carry and how fast it is rated to go.
It is printed on the sidewall of every tire, and your vehicle's correct size is on a sticker inside the driver's door. Once you can read it, tire shopping gets a lot less confusing. And if you would rather not crouch in a muddy driveway in March with a flashlight to find it, bring it in, or we will come and get it, and we will read it for you at the shop in Hillsboro.
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Text us which onesWhat each part of a tire size means
The first number is the width. Take 225/65R17 102H as an example, where 225 is the tire's width in millimeters, measured from one sidewall to the other. A bigger number means a wider tire. Some sizes start with a letter, where P means a passenger tire and LT means a light truck tire built for heavier loads.
The number after the slash is the sidewall height. The 65 is the aspect ratio, which is how tall the sidewall is compared with the width, so in this case the sidewall is 65 percent as tall as the tire is wide. A lower number means a shorter, sportier sidewall, and a higher number means a taller, softer one that handles potholes and gravel better.
The R and the 17 tell you how it is built and what wheel it fits. The R means radial, which is how nearly every modern tire is built inside. The 17 is the wheel size in inches, and it has to match your wheel exactly, because a tire only fits the wheel diameter it was made for.
The 102H at the end is the service description. The number is the load index, which tells you how much weight each tire is built to carry, and the letter is the speed rating, the top speed the tire is designed to handle safely. Your replacement tires should meet or beat both of the numbers your vehicle's manufacturer calls for. You will also find a date code on the sidewall after the letters DOT, where the last four digits give the week and year the tire was made, so 2321 means the 23rd week of 2021. Tire age matters as well as tread, which is why we check it.
Why Hillsboro trusts Moxie to match the right tire size
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We match what your vehicle needs
We check the size, load rating and speed rating on your door sticker before recommending anything.
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Honest advice on upsizing
If bigger tires would rub, change your speedometer or strain the vehicle, we will tell you first.
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Help choosing the right type
Highway, gravel, winter or towing, we suggest tires that suit how you actually drive.
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You approve the price first
You see the tires and the full cost before any work starts.
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Tire size myths we hear at the counter
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Why the wrong tire size ends up on so many vehicles
- Used vehicles bought with whatever tires the last owner fitted
- One damaged tire replaced with a different size in a hurry
- Passenger tires put on a pickup or van that calls for light truck tires
- Lift kits and bigger wheels fitted without checking what the truck needs
- Old tires that still look fine, even though the date code says otherwise
Tire size across five Kansas counties
We look after drivers across Marion County, Harvey County, McPherson County, Chase County and Lyon County, with free pickup and delivery within 40 road miles of 611 Orchard Dr, Hillsboro.
Tire size questions we hear every week
Where do I find my vehicle's correct tire size?
The correct size is on a sticker inside the driver's door jamb, and it is also listed in your owner's manual. The sticker also shows the recommended tire pressures. The size printed on your current tires is only right if the last person who bought tires chose correctly, so the door sticker is the one to trust. Text us a photo of it if you like.
Can I put a different size tire on my car?
You can sometimes, but it needs care. A different size can rub on the body or suspension, throw off your speedometer and confuse safety systems like stability control and anti-lock brakes. On all-wheel-drive vehicles, mismatched sizes can strain the drivetrain. Ask us before changing sizes, and we will tell you what fits safely.
What is the difference between P and LT tires?
A P tire is built for passenger cars, crossovers and many lighter SUVs and pickups. An LT tire, short for light truck, has a stronger build for heavy loads and towing, and usually runs at higher pressure. If your pickup or van came with LT tires, replacing them with P tires can mean they are not rated for the weight you carry.