Tyre guides
Tyre size explained: reading the numbers on your sidewall
Read 225/45 R17 94W like a technician — and find the right size for your car.
- Width
- First number, in mm
- Aspect ratio
- Sidewall height as % of width
- Rim
- Diameter in inches after the R
- Load index
- Max kg per tyre (94 = 670 kg)
- Speed rating
- H 210 · V 240 · W 270 · Y 300 km/h
- DOT date
- Last 4 digits: week + year
The short answer
A tyre size like 225/45 R17 94W means: 225 mm wide, sidewall height 45% of the width, Radial construction, fits a 17-inch rim, load index 94 (670 kg per tyre) and speed rating W (up to 270 km/h). Your car's correct size is printed on the sticker inside the driver's door and on the current tyres.
Reading the size code step by step
Take 225/45 R17 94W as an example:
- 225 — the tread width in millimetres, wall to wall.
- 45 — the aspect ratio. The sidewall is 45% as tall as the tyre is wide, about 101 mm. Lower numbers mean a thinner sidewall, sharper steering and a firmer ride.
- R — radial construction. Practically every car tyre sold today is radial.
- 17 — the wheel (rim) diameter in inches.
- 94 — the load index. 94 means each tyre can carry 670 kg.
- W — the speed rating, the maximum sustained speed: 270 km/h.
Load index chart (common values)
| Load index | Max load per tyre | Typical car |
|---|---|---|
| 84 | 500 kg | Yaris, Attrage |
| 91 | 615 kg | Corolla, Elantra |
| 94 | 670 kg | Camry, Altima |
| 100 | 800 kg | RAV4, Tucson |
| 109 | 1,030 kg | Land Cruiser, Patrol |
| 116 | 1,250 kg | Loaded 4x4s, LT tyres |
Speed rating chart
| Rating | Max speed | Used on |
|---|---|---|
| T | 190 km/h | Small economy cars |
| H | 210 km/h | Most sedans and crossovers |
| V | 240 km/h | Larger sedans, premium SUVs |
| W | 270 km/h | Performance cars |
| Y | 300 km/h | Sports cars and supercars |
Never fit a lower load index or speed rating than your car's placard specifies. A higher rating is fine.
How to read the DOT date — and the UAE five-year rule
Look for the letters DOT on the sidewall, followed by a code ending in four digits in an oval. 2324 means the tyre was made in week 23 of 2024. In the UAE, tyres are treated as valid for five years from the manufacture date, whether they've been used or not; vehicles on older tyres can fail the RTA technical test, and driving on unfit tyres carries an AED 500 fine and four black points.
Where to find your correct size
- The sticker on the driver's door frame (or inside the fuel flap).
- Your current tyres' sidewall — but only if they're the original size.
- The owner's manual.
- Send us a photo on WhatsApp and we'll confirm it.
Changing tyre size
Going up an inch in rim size while keeping overall diameter the same ("plus sizing") is common — e.g. 205/55 R16 to 225/45 R17. Keep the overall diameter within 3% of the original so the speedometer, ABS and stability control stay accurate. Bigger off-road tyres on 4x4s usually need a lift and recalibration. Use our tyre size calculator to compare two sizes before you buy.
Tyre sizes for popular cars in the UAE
| Car | Common sizes |
|---|---|
| Nissan Sunny | 185/65 R15 |
| Toyota Corolla | 205/55 R16 · 225/45 R17 |
| Toyota Camry | 215/55 R17 · 235/45 R18 |
| Nissan Altima | 215/55 R17 · 235/40 R19 |
| Toyota RAV4 | 225/65 R17 · 235/55 R19 |
| Hyundai Tucson | 235/60 R18 · 235/55 R19 |
| Toyota Prado | 265/65 R17 · 265/60 R18 |
| Toyota Land Cruiser | 265/65 R18 · 265/55 R20 |
| Nissan Patrol | 265/70 R18 · 275/60 R20 · 285/50 R22 |
| Tesla Model Y | 255/45 R19 · 255/40 R20 |
Sources
- Dubai Media Office — RTA tyre inspection campaign (2020)
- Gulf News — tyres older than five years should not be used
- Khaleej Times — AED 500 fine, 4 black points for worn tyres
Updated: 28 October 2026
Tyres by vehicle
A Sunny and a Patrol don't need the same tyre
Sizes, load ratings and pressures change a lot between body types. Pick yours to see what it needs and what it costs.
Related
- Tyre pressureThe right psi for UAE summer, why you shouldn't let air out, and sand pressures.
- Tyre maintenanceTread depth, rotation, alignment, ageing and the UAE five-year rule.
- Tyre performanceGrip, braking, noise, comfort and wear — what the ratings really mean.
- New tyresFrom AED 150
- Tyre expiry date UAE
- Tyre prices UAE
- All tyre brands
Common questions
Common questions
Can I use a different tyre size than the original?
Yes, if the overall diameter stays within about 3% and the load and speed ratings are equal or higher. Wider tyres may need a different rim width.
What does XL mean on a tyre?
Extra Load — a reinforced tyre that carries more weight at a higher pressure. Fit XL where the original tyre was XL.
How do I know how old my tyres are?
Read the last four digits of the DOT code: the first two are the week, the last two the year. In the UAE, replace tyres five years after that date.
Flat tyre? A technician can be on the way in minutes.
Send your location and a photo of the tyre sidewall. We'll confirm the price and arrival time straight away — 24 hours a day.