How to Find the Right Tires for Your Vehicle?
Finding the right tires for your vehicle starts with confirming that the tires match your vehicle’s fitment requirements. Tire size, load capacity, speed rating, and other specifications can vary between vehicles and configurations, so it is important to verify the correct specifications before purchasing replacement tires.
Why Correct Tire Fitment Matters
Tires are designed to work with specific vehicle and wheel configurations. Choosing tires with the correct fitment helps ensure that the tire dimensions and ratings meet the requirements specified for your vehicle.
Using an incorrect tire size or specification can affect factors such as clearance, handling, load capacity, and overall vehicle performance. The vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire specifications should therefore be used as the starting point when selecting replacement tires.
Method 1: Search by Vehicle
One of the easiest ways to find compatible tires is to search using your vehicle information. The ATS Shop by Vehicle tool allows you to select your vehicle’s year, make, model, and trim to narrow the available tire options.
Selecting the exact trim is important because different versions of the same vehicle may use different wheel and tire configurations.
Method 2: Check Your Current Tire Size
Another way to identify the tires you need is to check the size marked on the sidewall of your current tires. A tire size may appear as something like 235/65R18, where the numbers and letters identify the tire’s width, aspect ratio, construction, and wheel diameter.
Before purchasing replacement tires, compare the size shown on the tire with the specifications recommended for your vehicle. This is especially important for used or modified vehicles, where the currently installed tires may differ from the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended specifications.
If you’re unfamiliar with these markings, see our How to Read Tire Size? guide for a detailed explanation.
Other Tire Specifications to Check
Tire size is only one part of selecting compatible replacement tires. Other specifications may also need to be checked against the requirements for your vehicle.
Load index: Indicates the amount of weight a tire is designed to support at its specified conditions. Replacement tires should meet the load requirements specified for your vehicle.
Speed rating: Indicates the tire’s rated speed capability under specified conditions. The appropriate rating should be verified against your vehicle manufacturer’s requirements.
Tire type: Consider the type of tire appropriate for your vehicle and driving conditions, such as all-season, winter, or other application-specific tires.
These specifications work together with tire size and vehicle fitment when selecting replacement tires.
Verify Tire Fitment Before Purchasing
Before purchasing tires, verify the selected size and specifications against the information provided for your vehicle. The tire information placard, typically located on the driver’s-side door jamb, and the vehicle owner’s manual are useful references for the manufacturer’s recommended tire specifications.
You can also use the Airless Tire Systems Shop by Vehicle tool to search by year, make, model, and trim and view available tire options for your vehicle.