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Tyre companies through out the world follow standard norms for tyre dimensions, tolerances, load carrying capacities and inflation pressures for the different tyre categories and sizes. These are decided and governed by tyre manufacturer's association. The basic tyre and rim nomenclature is explained below:

The basic tyre and rim nomenclature is explained below:
OUTSIDE DIAMETER (OD): The diameter of an unloaded tyre, mounted on its recommended rim and inflated to recommended pressure.
SECTION WIDTH (SD): The width of the inflated tyre section, excluding any lettering or decoration.
SECTION HEIGHT (SH): The radial distance between where the bead sits on the rim to the outer most point at centerline.
STATIC LOADED RADIUS (SLR): The radial distance between the road surface to the axle center under nominal tyre load /inflation conditions.
LOADED SECTION WIDTH: The width of the loaded cross-section.
MINIMUM DUAL SPACING: The minimum recommended distance between centerline of dual mounted tyres to avoid the tyres rubbing against each other.
ASPECT RATIO: The ratio of section height to section width expressed in percentage.

There's a lot of useful information molded into the sidewall of a tyre. It shows the name of the tyre, its size, whether it is tubeless or tube type, the tyre grade, speed rating, the maximum load, maximum inflation, an important safety warning and more.

Radial:
P 215 65 R 15 89 H = as below in order
Passenger Car
Section width
Aspect Ratio
Radial
Rim Diameter
Load Index
Speed Rating



"P" means this is a passenger car tyre (as opposed to a tyre made for a truck or other vehicle). P- metric is the U.S. version of a metric tyre-sizing system.

"215" Section Width: The width of the tyre in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall. This measurement varies depending on the width of the rim to which the tyre is fitted: larger on a wider rim, smaller on a narrow rim. The number on the side of tyre indicates the width measured with the tyre fitted to the recommended rim width.

"65" Aspect Ratio: The ratio of height to width; this tyre's height is 65% of its width.

“R" Construction: How the plies are constructed in the tyre carcass. "R" means radial. "B" in place of the "R" means the tyre is belted bias construction. "D" in place of the "R" means diagonal bias construction.

15" Rim Diameter: The diameter of the wheel in inches.

"89" Load Index: This tyre has an industry-standard maximum load of 580 kilogram. Different numbers correspond to different maximum loads. The maximum load is shown in lbs. (pounds) and in kg (kilograms), and maximum pressure in PSI (pounds per square inch) and in kPa (kilopascals). Kilograms and kilopascals are metric units of measurement.

"H" Speed Rating: This tyre has an industry-standard maximum service speed of 210 km per hour. tyres using an older European system carry the speed rating in the size description: 215/65HR15. Different letters correspond to different maximum service speeds.

The letters "DOT" certify compliance with all applicable safety standards established by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Adjacent to this is a tyre identification or serial number; a combination of numbers and letters with up to 11 digits.

The sidewall also shows the type of cord and number of plies in the sidewall and under the tread.

 

Tyre Grades: Uniform tyre Quality Grading System or UTQG

Except for snow tyres, the DOT requires tyre manufacturers to grade passenger car tyres based on three performance factors: tread wear, traction and temperature resistance.

Tread Wear

More Than 100 - Better
100 - Baseline
Less Than 100 - Poorer The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tyre when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test track. A tyre graded 200 would wear twice as long on the government test track as one graded 100. Your actual tyre mileage depends upon the conditions of their use and may vary due to driving habits, service practices, differences in road characteristics and climate. Note: Tread wear grades are valid only for comparisons within a manufacturer's product line. They are not valid for comparisons between manufacturers.
Traction

A - Best
B - Intermediate
C - Acceptable
Traction grades represent the tyre's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. The Traction grade is based upon "straight ahead" braking tests; it does not indicate cornering ability

Temperature

A - Best.
B - Intermediate
C - Acceptable
Load Index and Speed Rating

The speed rating is the maximum service/sustained speed of a passenger car tyre. Truck tyres are not speed rated. Here is a list of rating indicators and their mile-per-hour equivalents. This rating system applies to all tyre makers.

 

For your edification - from wheelbarrow to Veyron.



Speed index Speed in mph

A1 3
A2 6
A3 9
A4 12
A5 15
A6 19
A7 22
A8 24
B 31
C 37



Speed index Speed in mph

D 40
E 43
F 50
G 56
J 62
K 69
L 75
M 81
N 87
P 93



Speed index Speed in mph

Q 99
R 106
S 112
T 118
U 124
H 130
V 149
ZR >150
W 168
Y 186

I give up with this text editor

 

Thanks Glyn!!!

 

I have an 03 C230 sedan that I would like to put wheels from an 08 C350. The C350's wheels are 17". Anyone know if these will fit? I know the tire size/bolt pattern is good. I am more concerned with the offset.

Any help would be apprecaited.

 

you will need spacers. search for forum for more info... already discused 100 times

 

no longer needed

 

I need four 17" OEM wheels for a 2007 C230. Will trade straight up for these Rial, 18". I am trying to return my leased C230 and need my OEM's back on it to do so. Otherwise I love these wheels. See below/attached. I am in NJ

 

don't you think size would be a good thing to include here; both of the ones you have and what you are looking for???

putting in your location will never hurt either.

just a thought....

 

Was editing as you wrote it...but thanks

 

What mods do you have to accommodate the 18" wheels? You said it was a 2007 C230? Everything else stock?

 

Everything else is stock

 

Any rubbing issues that you have noticed? How's the ride difference? Could you post some pics of the wheels on your car?

 

I have a pair of the OEM wheels I need to get rid of... not looking for a trade, cash only. Let me know.

 

I may be interested. Can you post some pics of the wheels, and do they include tires? If so, how much thread is left? My stockies only have like 1500 miles on them.

-Amar

 

Looking for a set of stock wheels for my 03 C230. I need them to have tires mounted. Preferably in good condition. SoCal preferred.

 

PM sent

 

im selling a set in the classified section

 

I too have an OEM set listing in classifieds and will deal with you on price and shipping if interested. PM me if you wish. Thanks,

 

I would be open to trading the tires too....easier to trade. They are about 10k miles in. I am also open to meeting at a body shop and having them demount mine from the tires, and mounting them to yours (and your wheels to mine). I'm flexible

Pics below

Someone also asked about potential "rub". I've not experienced any with these.

 

They're going to have fun trying to mount 17" tires to 18" wheels and vice versa... I'd say you are going to have to trade tires to get what you want/need.

You might want to add whether its a staggered setup.

 

ha..thanks. I didnt think of that. I guess we're talking about trading wheels/tires as a package.

 

Though they are not stock, they have styling cues from various stock rims.
Interesting.

 

I figured I would just revive this thread to ask this question, since it'll probably help someone else in the future. I just bought my set of C63 wheels, so now I'm looking for spacers. I assume the W203s have the 66.5mm hub? That's what I'm seeing in all the spacers I can find. I'm looking at spacers from this seller:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...%3AIT&viewitem=

Also, what length lugs should I get? I've been looking around the internet, but haven't found how long the stockers are.

 

I have an 03 C230K Sedan, going from 19" aftermarket wheels to stock 17" from the 07 C230 sport package (5 spoke).

I do not have the bolts from the factory 17" set, the shop I took the car to thinks the lugs I am using for the 19s are a bit too short.

I dont want to have any issues, I know too short is bad. I have also read too long brings issues with the brakes, etc...

Question:

Where should I get these bolts, and how do I know if they will be the correct length? If I go to the dealer, should I request the lugs for the 07 sedan (b/c the wheels are from the 07)?

Is there a good dealer alternative so I dont pay $400 for lugs?

Anyone have a set for sale?

Thanks!