What Are Those Numbers On My Tire?

Most tires have a term like ’89H’ after the tire size on the sidewall of the tire. This is called the Service Description. The ’89’ part of this term is the Load Index. Each number correlates to a maximum amount of weight a tire can support at a certain tire pressure. The higher the number, the more load the tire can support. You want to ensure that the tires you put on your vehicle match or exceed the Load Index requirements specified by the vehicle manufacturer.

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The Speed Rating is one component of a tire’s Service Description. The Speed Rating denotes how much speed and heat a tire can withstand in laboratory settings. What you need to know is that the Speed Rating can affect a vehicle’s handling characteristics at any speed. You typically want to match or exceed the Speed Rating that your vehicle manufacturer specified. However, in some conditions, it might be acceptable to use a tire with one speed rating lower than your car originally came with from the factory.

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Find a local dealer and shop their tires online: https://www.buylocaltires.com/find-a-dealer

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CTDA offers scholarships to employees and family of member dealers to help them with the cost of education. Learn more about how CTDA gives back at www.ctdascholarships.net

What Are Those Numbers On My Tire?