R15
One of the most common tires used is the R15.
The most common tires used under the R15 size are the P235/75R15, P205/65R15, and the P215/70R15. An R15 tire is fitted with a 15-inch rim. The most common section width of an R15 ranges from 215 to 235 millimeters, and the most common sidewall aspect ratio ranges around 70%. The R15 is a radial type of tire and has a long tread life and offers good steering control. However, it's not appropriate for rough roads and has poor grip when traveling at low speeds. The P variant is also the cheapest and most common R15 tire, which is a tire specifically made and designed for passenger vehicles. Although most suitable for cars, some light trucks also use R15 tires.
R16
The R16 is a larger version of the R15 tire. It's most popular variant is the P225/60R16. The P225/60R16 is designed for most passenger vehicles. It has a 225mm section width, has a 60% sidewall-height ratio and is designed for 16-inch rims. Although a passenger vehicle tire, it has been used widely in light pickup trucks and mid-size SUVs. Most common section widths range from 205 to 225 millimeters, and the common sidewall aspect ratio is around 60%. Like the R15, the P variant is the most common and is often used for vehicles used in city driving.
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| Where Can I Find My Tire Size Information? |
| Your tire size information is located on the tire's sidewall. |
Metric, or tire type,
defines the proper use
of the tire. For example,
a "P" designation means
that it is a passenger car
tire. An "LT" designation
is for a light truck |
Tire Width is the
width of the tire
measured in
millimeters from
sidewall to sidewall.
This tire width
is 215 millimeters. |
Rim Diameter is
the width of the
wheel from one
end to the other.
The diameter of
this wheel is 16
inches. |
Speed Rating tells you the maximum service speed for
a tire. This rating relates only to tire speed capability and
is NOT a recommendation to exceed legally posted speed limits. |
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Aspect Ratio is the ratio
of the height of the tire's
cross-section to its width.
On our example, 60
means that the height
is equal to 60% of the
tire's width. |
Construction tells you how the
layers of the tire were put together.
The "R" stands for Radial, which
means the layers run radially across
the tire. A "B" stands for bias
construction which means that the
layers run diagonally. |
Load Index indicates the maximum load in pounds that
the tire can support when
properly inflated. You'll also
find the maximum load
elsewhere on the tire sidewall,
both in pounds and kilograms. |
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R16 LT Variant
The LT variant is in the "light truck-metric" category of tires. It is specifically designed for vehicles that include medium and heavy duty pickup trucks, full-size vans and SUVs. The tires are made to handle vehicles made for towing and carrying heavy cargo. Its most popular variant is the LT245/75R16. The most common section width ranges from 245 to 265 millimeters, and the usual sidewall aspect ratio is around 75%.
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