Thread: 195 X 55 X R15 85V - What Does It Mean?

195 is the width of the tyre, 55 the height, 15 is the rim size (in inches), 85V

85V is the speed rating I believe

Here you go

http://www.tyres-online.co.uk/techinfo/speed.asp

This is a better one

http://www.blackcircles.com/general/sidewall

Hi MH,
My step father was a tyre man all his life, so I learnt off him.
As said 195 is the width in mm
The 55 is the profile, 55% of the tyre width is the height of the side wall
85 is the load rating
and V is the speed.
Dave

I've found http://www.tirerack.com/ to be a good source of info, and if you are thinking about changing wheels, you can see what they'd look like on your vehicle.

If you think about changing wheels, you also need to think about the weight of the new wheels vs. the weight of the existing wheels (can make a difference to the suspension and handling), and make sure the new wheels have the same offset as the original wheels (or you can inadvertently make severe changes to the handling of your car!)

Also, spend some time on the RTA website, and check the legal requirements for changing wheels and/or tyres from the original fitments.

Cheers,
Andrew
(who once was a passenger in a convertible Valiant when an alloy wheel fell off because it had dodgy home-made spacers between wheel and wheel mounting flange, in order for the wheel not to scrape on the brakes)

It should read on the sidewall of the tyre 195/55R15 85V - and at the risk of sounding like a parrot, let's put everyone's info all together;

195 - Width of the tread in mm. Different brands of tyre can vary slightly the sidewall bulge, so tyres are actually wider than 195mm overall, and can vary by 5-15mm.

55 - Height of the sidewall as a percentage of the tyre width.

R - Radial tyre.

15 - Diameter of the rim in inches that the tyre fits.

85 - Load rating the tyre can carry. 85 = 515Kg

V - Speed rating, the maximum the tyre is rated to. V = 240 km/h.

Somewhere on all cars will be a tyre placard. A sticker that states the tyre size that's standard option for the car. It also states any options for alternative sizes available that can be used on the vehicle. And it states the minimum specification for the speed and load ratings that can be used on that vehicle. You can fit tyres with a greater rating, but not less.

The tyre placard sticker on the Viva can be found on the drivers door, on the narrow section between the outer skin and the internal door trim, or on the 'B' pillar where the door catch is located. For other cars, If the vehicle is imported, check the passengers side... They can also be on the inside of the glovebox lid.