TIRES etc...
Originally Posted by joemax1
when your tire is rated P245/45VR18 V-rated, what do the letters and numbers mean? thanks. 
45 (profile from rim to tire)
18 (wheel diameter)
v-rated (up to 149 mph)
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,143
From: a meadow south of Atlanta
aliti19 nailed it.
In case there are those who run out and measure their tires or wheels, and don't get exactly the numbers they expect, keep in mind:
The '245' is the lateral width of the tire in millimeters at its widest point (usually somewhere around the middle of the sidewall).
The '45' profile means the height of the tire from bead seat to face of tread is 45% of the width of the tire at its widest point.
The 18 inch wheel diameter is not the total diameter of the wheel; it is the diameter from bead seat to bead seat.
Happy measuring!
edit - and the 'P' preceeding the '245' means this tire was designed as a passenger car tire, not a truck tire (although it can be used on small trucks and SUVs).
In case there are those who run out and measure their tires or wheels, and don't get exactly the numbers they expect, keep in mind:
The '245' is the lateral width of the tire in millimeters at its widest point (usually somewhere around the middle of the sidewall).
The '45' profile means the height of the tire from bead seat to face of tread is 45% of the width of the tire at its widest point.
The 18 inch wheel diameter is not the total diameter of the wheel; it is the diameter from bead seat to bead seat.
Happy measuring!
edit - and the 'P' preceeding the '245' means this tire was designed as a passenger car tire, not a truck tire (although it can be used on small trucks and SUVs).
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,143
From: a meadow south of Atlanta
Not only does tirerack.com (referenced by mzmgt) have lots of info on tire sizes/nomenclature/etc, my son (the auto freak) says he considers tirerack.com to be the very best place to get lots of opinions and experiences from lots of users on any brand/make of tire you might be interested in.
Donating Maxima.org Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 429
Originally Posted by lightonthehill
aliti19 nailed it.
In case there are those who run out and measure their tires or wheels, and don't get exactly the numbers they expect, keep in mind:
The '245' is the lateral width of the tire in millimeters at its widest point (usually somewhere around the middle of the sidewall).
The '45' profile means the height of the tire from bead seat to face of tread is 45% of the width of the tire at its widest point.
The 18 inch wheel diameter is not the total diameter of the wheel; it is the diameter from bead seat to bead seat.
Happy measuring!
edit - and the 'P' preceeding the '245' means this tire was designed as a passenger car tire, not a truck tire (although it can be used on small trucks and SUVs).
In case there are those who run out and measure their tires or wheels, and don't get exactly the numbers they expect, keep in mind:
The '245' is the lateral width of the tire in millimeters at its widest point (usually somewhere around the middle of the sidewall).
The '45' profile means the height of the tire from bead seat to face of tread is 45% of the width of the tire at its widest point.
The 18 inch wheel diameter is not the total diameter of the wheel; it is the diameter from bead seat to bead seat.
Happy measuring!
edit - and the 'P' preceeding the '245' means this tire was designed as a passenger car tire, not a truck tire (although it can be used on small trucks and SUVs).
we're not worthy.......... 
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