Have you ever noticed that the tyres on your Mini have writing on the sidewall? Often a combination of numbers & letters, these identify your tyre size, type & performance features that probably won't mean very much to the driver however, they are vital when purchasing a replacement tyre for your Mini.
When looking to replace your Mini tyres, you should familiarise yourself with what the markings mean.
Mini Tyre Size
The size of your Mini's tyres can be found on the sidewall of your existing tyres, look for the combination of numbers & letters. Between the years of 1959 - 1984, the standard size Mini tyre was 145/80 10, however over the years this has changed & presently most Mini owners tend to fit 165/70R10 on their 10" wheels. However, this isn't always the case, we sell Mini tyres in a range of sizes & performance grades, including tyres to fit 12" & 13" Mini wheels. It’s important to check your existing tyre to ensure the right tyre size has been fitted!
Mini Tyre width
The width of your Mini tyre is displayed in the first three digits, which correlates to the width of the tyre in millimetres. For example, if your tyre is marked as 165, it will measure 165mm across the tread from sidewall to sidewall.
Aspect ratio
The aspect ratio on your tyre is displayed immediately after the tyre width, with the fourth & fifth digits representing the percentage of the width. The Blockley tyre that we are using as an example has an aspect ratio of 70, this means that the profile height of this tyre is 70% of its width.
Radial
The next digit that is printed on this tyre is R, this stands for Radial. The majority of new tyres manufactured presently are radial tyres, this means that the tyres are constructed with the cord plies positioned at a 90 degree angle to the direction of travel, this gives your tyre additional strength.
Wheel diameter
The two digits following the R represent what size of wheel that the tyre will fit. This Blockley tyre is showing 10, this means that it will fit a 10" Mini wheel, it is also the diameter of the tyre from bead to bead.
Load Index
The maximum weight capability for your Mini tyre is displayed as the load index, just before the speed rating for the tyre.
We would recommend that you do not use Mini tyres that have a lower load index or speed rating than the recommended tyre specification for your Mini. It's also advisable to stick to one tyre type, don't mix and match across your Mini!
Mini Tyre Speed Rating
Your Mini's tyre speed rating is represented by a letter at the end of the tyre size code, this indicates the tyre's maximum speed capability. Each Mini tyre is put through a series of tests that measure it's capability to handle a set speed for a prolonged period of time - this is how the speed rating is achieved.
When purchasing your tyres for your Classic Mini, don't choose a lower speed rating than what is recommended - it could actually invalidate your car insurance.
We hope that this blog can give you a little more understanding on Classic Mini tyres & what their markings mean. But don't forget - our team is available 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday to assist you with any questions you may have – or assistance you may need, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!