If you ever notice that string of numbers and letters on the sidewall of your tire, it’s there to tell you all the information that you need for your tires. Let the team at Sonia’s CDJR break down the process on how to read tire sizes from those numbers along the side and how to check your tire pressure! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out in the meantime.
When you look at the sidewall of your tire, you should see a code that includes all of this information:
But it might be hard to translate from P 225 / 70 R 16 91 S to choosing the right tires for your car. Going from this example:
What about tire pressure? Shouldn't the tire list the pressure it needs to be at? While your tire should have a pressure rating on it, this is a maximum pressure rating. It is not an indication of what pressure your tires should be at while driving around the area.
You'll need a tire pressure gauge to check your tire pressure, and then it's as simple as taking off the valve stem cap and applying the end of the gauge to the stem tightly (you shouldn't hear any air coming out). Now that you know the pressure of your tires, though, you'll need to check your owner's manual or driver's door jamb for the OEM-recommended tire pressure.
If you're above the recommended pressure, you might need to bleed some air from the tires, while if you're below, you'll want to get to an air pump and top them off. If you want to ensure even tire wear and maximize your tires' lifespan, keep their pressure at the OEM recommendations.
The code has all the information that you need, but if it is time to upgrade them in Orange, MA, find the right tires at Sonia’s CDJR. We can tell you more about tire upkeep, including the importance of tire rotations and more!