How to Find Tires That Fit Your Vehicle
The Short Answer
The tires that fit your vehicle are the ones that match the size, load index and speed rating its manufacturer specifies. You can find these specifications on the tire information placard, which is commonly on the driver's door jamb, and in the owner's manual. A tire finder tool, whether you search by vehicle or by size, is a useful shortcut. Before you buy, check its results against that placard.
One condition matters a lot. Many models offer different wheel sizes depending on trim level, package or model year. A search by year, make and model alone can therefore return more than one valid size, or a size that doesn't match your car. Your vehicle's own placard or documentation settles the question. The tires currently mounted may not, because a previous owner could have fitted a different size.
Where to Find Your Vehicle's Tire Specifications
Tire information placard: usually a sticker on the driver's door jamb or door edge. On some vehicles it is inside the glovebox door or the fuel filler door. It typically lists the original tire size and the recommended cold inflation pressures. Owner's manual: lists the approved tire sizes. It often covers optional sizes for other trims and gives load and speed requirements. Current tire sidewall: shows the size and ratings of the tires now fitted. This is only reliable if those tires match the manufacturer's specification.
Placard location varies by manufacturer and model. If you can't find it in the places above, check your owner's manual or ask a dealer for that vehicle.
How to Read a Tire Size Code
Most passenger tires carry a size code in the following format on the sidewall. This example is for illustration only and does not describe any particular vehicle.
P225/65R17 102H
P: tire type. P means a passenger metric tire, and LT means light truck. Some tires have no letter prefix (often called Euro-metric sizing). Don't treat a P tire and an LT tire as interchangeable without checking the specification. 225: section width, the tire's width in millimetres. 65: aspect ratio, the sidewall height as a percentage of the section width. R: radial construction. 17: rim diameter, the wheel size the tire fits, in inches. 102: load index, a code for the maximum load each tire can carry. H: speed rating, a letter code for the maximum sustained speed the tire is rated for.
Watch out for look-alike sizes. A tire that differs by a single number, such as 225/60R17 instead of 225/65R17, has a different overall diameter. That can affect clearance and speedometer accuracy, and it may affect stability or driver-assistance systems. Match every number in the code, not just the rim diameter.
Steps to Find and Confirm the Right Tires
1) Gather your vehicle details: model year, make, model and exact trim. If you have it, note the vehicle identification number (VIN), which a dealer can use to confirm original equipment. 2) Read the tire placard and owner's manual, and write down the specified size, load index and speed rating. Check whether the front and rear sizes differ. Some vehicles use different sizes front and rear, called a staggered fitment. 3) Use a tire finder. Searching by size is usually more precise than searching by vehicle, because you enter the exact specification you've confirmed. If you search by vehicle, choose the correct trim and compare the size it suggests with your placard. 4) Filter the results so the load index and speed rating meet or exceed what the manufacturer specifies. Choosing a lower rating than specified is not recommended. 5) Choose a tire type that suits your conditions, such as all-season, summer or winter. Snow and ice traction requirements differ by region, so check any local rules where you drive. 6) Before mounting, check the sidewall of the delivered tires against your list of specifications. Note the manufacture date code too. In the United States, the DOT code ends with four digits showing the week and year of manufacture. 7) Have the tires mounted and balanced by a qualified tire service provider. Mounting tires requires specialized equipment, correct wheel nut torque and, on vehicles with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), proper handling of the sensors. 8) Final check: once installed, set cold inflation pressures to the values on the placard, not the maximum pressure printed on the tire sidewall.
Stop and get professional advice before buying if any of these apply: the placard size doesn't match the tires on your car, you are considering a different wheel size (sometimes called plus-sizing), or your vehicle has aftermarket wheels or suspension changes. A tire that doesn't match the specification can rub on suspension or bodywork, carry too little load, or interfere with vehicle systems.
Limits of This Guide
This guide does not give tire sizes for any specific vehicle, because those depend on model year, market, trim and equipment. Placard locations, labeling formats and legal requirements such as tread depth limits or winter tire rules also vary by manufacturer and jurisdiction. They are not covered here. For a definitive answer, rely on your vehicle's placard, its owner's manual or the manufacturer's dealer network.