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According to the National Research Council Of The National Academies in Washington, D.C., 200 million passenger tires are purchased every year. It is important to buy the right type of tire because this has a significant effect on the car's handling and traction while on the road.
Identification
A passenger vehicle is defined as a car that is meant for the carriage of people other than the driver. So a passenger tire is one that fits on this type of vehicle.
Read the Tire
If you take a look at the outer sidewall of your tire and there is a "P" listed before a series of numbers (the tire size identification numbers) than that is a clear indication that you have passenger tires.
Rim Size
The standard rim size (diameter of the wheel) to fit a passenger tire is between 13 and 20 inches.
Weight
Passenger tires are constructed to hold up to 6,000 pounds--anything larger than that is considered a "light truck" for commercial use.
DOT
A passenger tire must list the letters DOT to indicate that the tire is consistent with safety standards set by the Department of Transportation.
Source:
DunlopTires.com: About Passenger Tires
TRB.org: Tires and Passenger Vehicle Fuel Economy
More Information:
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