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What do all these specs mean?

Old Aug 7, 2005 | 02:28 PM
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Default What do all these specs mean?

I just now got a flat and need to replace the tire. Just look at the tire and the rim, and here's what it says

On the tire: P195/50R15
On the rim: 15*6-1/2 JJ40

Can someone please explain to me all these technical number?
 
Old Aug 7, 2005 | 02:42 PM
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Default RE: What do all these specs mean?

The "R15" part is the size of the wheel, as in youhave 15" rims.

The 195 is the tread width in millimeters and the 50 is a percentage ratio of height to width. So 50% of 195 mm is how tall the tire is between the rim and the ground. Does that make sense? In other words it's the sidewall height or the "profile," but it's in relation to the width.
 
Old Aug 7, 2005 | 02:46 PM
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Default RE: What do all these specs mean?


On the tire: P195/50R15
On the rim: 15*6-1/2 JJ40

The P195 is the width of the tire tread. (Im runing 245s all the way around, sorry I just had to brog though)

The 50 is a percentage of the width and how high the sidewall or what "series" profile it is

The R15 is your rim size


For the wheel the 15 is the wheel size in inches

The 61/2 is the width

And the JJ40 is.......................................I have no idea but I know its on most rims if not all but it should be of no importance to you.
 
Old Aug 7, 2005 | 02:50 PM
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Default RE: What do all these specs mean?

Just so you know when I posted mine Street striper hadnt posted yet so I dont look like a blubbering repeating idiot
 
Old Aug 7, 2005 | 03:06 PM
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Default RE: What do all these specs mean?

So the wheel and the rim are 2 diffrent part?

And if the ratio gets lower and lower, does that mean that you gonna have a really thin layer of the tire visible from the side of the car?

What does the R mean?

Can I use a 16ins tires on 15ins rims?

My car wiggle a lot when I get above 75, like it's not really stable, and I can feel the car is sliding a little bit, even though not enough to lose control. So what is the main factor of the tire that can help me have a stickier ride?
 
Old Aug 7, 2005 | 04:03 PM
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Default RE: What do all these specs mean?

ORIGINAL: nightshader

So the wheel and the rim are 2 diffrent part?
no, the wheel is the rim
And if the ratio gets lower and lower, does that mean that you gonna have a really thin layer of the tire visible from the side of the car?
Yes.
What does the R mean?
Radial constructed tires
Can I use a 16ins tires on 15ins rims?
No! they will not fit.
Read this, it will asnwer your questions and then some: http://1010tires.com/tech.asp?type=tires

oh, and p.s.:
And the JJ40 is.......................................I have no idea but I know its on most rims if not all but it should be of no importance to you.
could the 40 be 40mm offset??
 
Old Aug 7, 2005 | 04:50 PM
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Default RE: What do all these specs mean?

My car wiggle a lot when I get above 75, like it's not really stable, and I can feel the car is sliding a little bit, even though not enough to lose control. So what is the main factor of the tire that can help me have a stickier ride?

What are some good brands of tire that last and give good performance?

You cant put a 16" tire on 15" rims, but can u get tire with bigger treadwidth and a lower profile?
 
Old Aug 7, 2005 | 07:21 PM
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Default RE: What do all these specs mean?

Your car most likely wiggles because the wheels have not been balenced lately and you prob threw a wieght or something. Once you pick up new tires and have them mounted and balanced it should take care of that


As for a stickier tire, there are 2 ways to tell.
ONE) is the traction rating, but they way they measure this is braking in wet so its only an ok coparison.

TWO) this is the way I decide how "sticky" a tire will be, the treadwear. Usally anything below a 200 will be very very sticky and wear out very very fast. 200-250 is prob your best bet but will still wear out fairly quickly. 250-300 is decent treadlife and decent traction. anything higher and you should buy your own tires instead of borrowing your grandmas.


BTW, just for an example I had 160 treadwear tires and they lasted about 8k-10k miles and I never ever ever burn out. They were sticky though and I had some people in auto-X say it wasnt fair that they were considered street tires cause they should have been considered racing tires. Oh well.............you lose.
 
Old Aug 7, 2005 | 08:24 PM
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Wow, really good information. THanks.
 
Old Aug 8, 2005 | 05:08 PM
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Default RE: What do all these specs mean?

exactly what they said
 
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