What do the tire specs mean??

 

thanks for the quick response, but what does Z tell you about the speed rating? and im thinking about eventually throwing on NT-555r drag radials on, the specs are 245/50/R16, what would be the difference in R16 and ZR16

 

Z means its rated for over 149mph. Heres more info on what all the those numbers and letters mean on tires

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...eral/speed.htm

 

alright thanks

 

245/50-ZR16

245 Width or "section width" in mm. 245 mm or 9.65 inches wide at widest part of sidewall when mounted on 7.5 inch wide rim. This may be slightly larger (up to about 10 inches) depending on the manufacturer, and will vary if mounted on different width rim.

50 Aspect ratio (expressed as a percent of the section width) This calculates the "height" of the tire from the rim to the road in the unloaded condition. It is the distance from the bead seat on the rim to the outer tread surface. The 50 is a percentage of section width or .50 x 245mm or 122.5 mm (4.82 inches).

ZR Speed rating. Z is 149 mph + but how much plus is not defined. R indicates a radial ply tire.

16 Wheel rim diameter where the tire seats, in inches.

FWIW, overall diameter of the mounted tire would be 2 times the height (inches) plus the wheel diameter (inches):

2 x (4.82) + 16 = 25.64 inches. Most 245/50-16 tires are quoted as 26.6 to 25.7 inches.

TireRack has lots of on-line information:

Grease's link is a good one.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.j...Eagle+F1+GS-D3

There is lots more info by clicking on the various catagories.