Sidewall reader
What the side of your tyre is telling you.
Copy the numbers from your sidewall. We draw the tyre to scale, explain each part and work out its age from the four digit date code.
205/55 R16 91V
- Overall height
- 632 mm
- Sidewall
- 113 mm
- One turn rolls
- 1.99 m
- Turns per km
- 503
- Carries up to
- 615 kg
- Rated to
- 240 km/h
5 years old
How to read it
Each part of the code
- 205Width of the tyre in millimetres, wall to wall.
- 55Profile: the sidewall is 55% as tall as the tyre is wide.
- R16Radial build, made to fit a 16 inch rim.
- 91Load index. 91 means up to 615 kg per tyre.
- VSpeed rating. V is up to 240 km/h; most saloons are H or V.
- 3221Date code in a small oval: week 32 of 2021.
Changing size
Bigger rims, same height
Many drivers move up a rim size for looks. Keep the overall height within 3% of the original so the speedometer, gears and brakes stay right. Change the numbers above to compare: the drawing and figures update as you type.
- Lower profile means firmer ride and more rim damage on potholes
- Load index must match or beat the original
- We will tell you honestly if a size is a bad idea
Over six years old
Rubber hardens in heat even when tread looks good. We suggest replacing at six years, and never driving on ten.
Under 3 mm
Grip falls sharply in rain. Plan a change before the rainy season starts in April.
Bulge or cut
Replace now. A bulge means the inner cords are broken and the tyre can fail at speed.
Next step
Not sure what you are looking at
Send a photo of the sidewall on WhatsApp and a fitter will read it for you, free.