On the sidewall of a tyre you will find various codes and markings. Amongst these you will find the size.

Tyre Sizes

Tyre sizes are made up of a number of different numbers and letters. For example tyre size 205/55 R 16 91 W is made up of the following information:

This is all the information you need to request a quote for your tyres.
If you would like to know more read on…

Aspect Ratio

Aspect ratio is the ratio of a tyre's width to it's height. A 60 series tyre, therefore, is a tyre whose height is equal to 60% of its width.

Speed Ratings

All tyres carry a speed symbol in the form of a letter indicating the maximum speed for which the tyre is intended. The table below shows which speed goes with each letter.

Load Indices

The load-index figure imprinted on the sidewall of the tyre denotes the maximum load capacity of a tyre when driven at maximum speed. A list of load indices and maximum weights is give below:

Tyre Age

Some tyres carry a three or four digit age code on the sidewall indicating the month and year of manufacture. For example 1201 means the tyre was manufactured in (12) December (01) 2001.

Other Markings

M&S - Identifies Mud and Snow tyres

DOT Codes - Coding satisfying the requirements of the US Department of Transportation contain a mixture of letters and numbers such as DOT DVDE MTA 129 (Not relevant to the UK market).

E-Marks - Tyres for sale in the European Community must carry an E -Mark in accordance with ECE Reg 30 - eg E4 027550, (the number following the letter denotes the European country where the tyre was approved).

Air Pressure

The main function of a tyre is to carry the load of the car and assist the suspension. Therefore, it is vital that correct air pressure is maintained. Under-inflation will cause excessive heat in the tyre, this damage the tyre structure leading to possible accidents.
Improper air pressure will not allow the tyre to function within its design. For best performance maintain the air pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer and/or the tyre manufacturer.

Wheel Alignment and Balancing

A major cause of rapid tread wear is improper wheel alignment and balancing. Abnormal noise, vibration and harshness of steering is a signal that alignment and balancing may be incorrect.

The Law …

1. Tyres on cars, light vans (not exceeding 3500kg gross weight) and light trailers must have a tread depth of at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the width of the tyre tread and in a continuous band around the entire circumference of the tyre.
2. Tyres must be suitable (i.e. of the correct specification and size) for the use to which the vehicle is being put and must be not be inflated as to make it unfit for the vehicles use.
3. Tyres of different types must not be fitted to opposite wheels of the vehicle (for example, radial-ply tyres must not be fitted to a wheel on the same axle as wheels already fitted with cross-ply tyres and vice versa, and a two-axle vehicle must not have radial ply tyres on the front axle if cross ply tyres are fitted to the rear axle)
4. No tyre must have a break in its fabric or a cut deep enough to reach the body cords. No cut must be more than 25mm or 10% of the tyre's section width in length, whichever is greater.
5. There must be no lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial fracture of its structure.
6. The tyre has any of the ply or cord exposed