How to read tire size Chico CA. P215/65R17 94H decoded — width aspect ratio wheel diameter load speed rating. Door jamb sticker has correct size. (530) 826-4275.
P215/65R17 94H: P = passenger, 215 = width in mm, 65 = aspect ratio (sidewall height as % of width), R = radial, 17 = wheel diameter in inches, 94H = load index and speed rating. The correct size for your vehicle is on the sticker inside the driver's door jamb — not necessarily what's currently on the car.
Tire size is printed on the sidewall: P215/65R17 94H. The number before the slash is width in millimeters (215). The number after the slash is aspect ratio as a percentage of width (65). R means radial. The next number is wheel diameter in inches (17). 94H is load index and speed rating. The correct size for your vehicle is on the sticker inside the driver's door jamb — not what's currently on the car, which might be wrong.
This is the most common format for passenger vehicle tire sizing. Each section means something specific.
P = Passenger vehicle tire. LT = Light Truck (higher load capacity, stiffer sidewall). No prefix = Euro metric specification. The service type tells you the tire's intended application — passenger cars use P-metric, trucks may use LT-metric for towing and payload.
The width of the tire from sidewall to sidewall when mounted, in millimeters. 215mm is approximately 8.5 inches wide. Wider tires (larger first number) have more contact patch; narrower tires roll with less resistance. Chico's vehicles: common widths range from 185 (compact) to 275 (truck).
The sidewall height expressed as a percentage of the section width. 65 means the sidewall height is 65% of 215mm = 140mm. Lower aspect ratios (45, 50) = lower profile, sportier look. Higher aspect ratios (70, 75) = taller sidewall, more cushioning for Chico's rough roads. Lift kit vehicles often need higher aspect ratio tires to fill the wheel well.
R = Radial construction (virtually all modern tires). The 'R' is almost never anything but R on modern vehicles. Bias-ply tires (B) exist but are uncommon outside of specialty applications.
The diameter of the wheel the tire mounts on, in inches. This must match your wheel exactly. A 17-inch tire on an 18-inch wheel won't fit. This is the most critical dimension to get right when replacing tires.
94 is the load index — a standardized code for maximum weight capacity per tire (94 = approximately 1,477 lbs). H is the speed rating — the maximum sustained speed the tire is designed for (H = 130 mph). For most Chico driving, the correct speed rating is H or V. Never install a lower speed rating than specified for your vehicle.
The sticker on the inside of the driver's door jamb lists the original equipment tire size for your vehicle. This is the correct size regardless of what's currently on the car (previous owner may have changed sizes). The sticker also lists the recommended inflation pressure.
Some vehicles list multiple acceptable sizes (standard vs optional wheel package). Lifted trucks need recalculated tire sizes to maintain speedometer accuracy and avoid rubbing. Our alignment system calculates the impact of tire size changes on speedometer calibration and rolling circumference.
Installing tires significantly larger or smaller than specified changes the rolling circumference, causing speedometer error (can be over 10 mph off on large size changes). Oversized tires may also rub on fenders or suspension components under full steering lock.
P215/65R17 94H: P=passenger, 215=section width in mm, 65=aspect ratio (sidewall height as % of width), R=radial, 17=wheel diameter in inches, 94H=load index and speed rating. The wheel diameter (17) must match your wheel exactly.
The sticker inside the driver's door jamb lists the OEM tire size, inflation pressure, and sometimes alternate acceptable sizes. This is more reliable than what's currently on the car (previous owners may have changed sizes).
The aspect ratio (65 in P215/65R17) is the sidewall height expressed as a percentage of the section width. 65 means the sidewall is 65% of 215mm = 140mm tall. Lower number = lower profile sidewall. Higher number = taller, more cushioned sidewall — generally better for Chico's rougher roads.
Yes — if the rolling circumference changes from the OEM size, the speedometer reads inaccurately. Larger diameter tires read slower than actual speed; smaller diameter reads faster. A tire 5% larger in diameter causes the speedometer to read approximately 5 mph low at 60 mph.
H=130 mph, V=149 mph, W=168 mph, Y=186 mph. This is the maximum sustained speed the tire is designed for, not a recommendation for normal driving. Always match or exceed the speed rating specified for your vehicle.
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Buddy Rausch founded Tedious Auto Repair in Chico, CA in 2007 and has been serving Butte County for 18+ years. As an ASE Master Technician, Buddy personally oversees diagnostics and quality control on every vehicle. All content on this page reflects real procedures, OEM specifications, and cases seen in the shop. About Buddy Rausch, ASE Master Tech →
Buddy Rausch founded Tedious Auto Repair in Chico, CA in 2007. ASE Master Certified. 18+ years serving Butte County. About Buddy Rausch