Buying new tires or a used car? You’ll want to make sure you get the proper tire sizing. Without the right tire dimensions, you may risk vibration, rubbing, and drivetrain issues down the line.

This recently happened to a car shopper¹ who purchased a used Honda Accord Coupe, only to find the tire and wheel sizes did not seem to match the factory specs, leading to some vibrations. Another buyer² ran into confusion when buying a used Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic, discovering it had smaller 16” wheels instead of the 18” wheels Mercedes recommends.

While tire size info can typically be found on the tire sidewall, it may not always be reliable. The tire sticker may be damaged or fall off over time. This is where the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) comes in handy.

In this article, we’ll show you two ways to find your tire size by VIN, avoiding situations like the Redditors faced. Read on…

Method 1. Look up the original tire size with BeenVerified

Finding the correct tire size for your vehicle is important for safety, performance, and fuel efficiency on the road. So whenever you want to identify the right tire size for your car, make BeenVerified your first stop.

With access to billions of records in its database, BeenVerified is a popular go-to for vehicle information. Just run a VIN lookup, and you’ll gain valuable insights into a car’s tire measurements, including the tire width, aspect ratio, and rim diameter.

Here is how to use BeenVerified to run a tire size lookup by VIN:

1. Go to BeenVerified Vehicle Search.
2. Enter your car’s VIN into the search box and click SEARCH.
   
3. Wait a few seconds as BeenVerified taps into its database and gathers matching records for your search. Then it will compile the found records into a detailed report for you. Once you receive the report, click Vehicle Specs, and you can find the tire size info in the Installed options section.
   

Method 2. Locate your tire specs with Bumper

Bumper is a certified NMVTIS Data Provider. With genuine and trustworthy data sources, Bumper is built to provide you with a holistic view of a car’s information. This doesn’t just include detailed specs for your car’s tires, but also a wider picture of your car’s info, such as its make, model, specs, vehicle history, etc.

Here is how to locate your tire specs with Bumper:

1. Go to Bumper Vehicle Search.
2. Enter the VIN and click SEARCH.
   
3. Sit tight as Bumper gathers records for your vehicle and organizes them into a report. Once ready, unlock the report to view the full details of the tire sizing for your vehicle.
   

FAQs

Finding the correct tire size for your vehicle is important for safety, performance, and fuel efficiency on the road. After reading this article, you may still have some questions about looking up tire size by VIN. Here are some frequently asked questions:

1. What is a VIN and where is a VIN located?

VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number. It is a unique code that is assigned to each individual vehicle by the manufacturer to identify various attributes of the vehicle, including its manufacturer, model, engine type, tire size, and other features.

You can typically find the VIN in several locations on your vehicle, such as on the lower-right corner of the dashboard, on the front of the engine block, inside the driver’s door, or on your insurance and registration paperwork. If you’re buying a used vehicle, the VIN should also be included in the seller’s listing.

1. Do the tire sizes need to match exactly across all tires on my vehicle?

Ideally yes, for optimal handling, braking, stability, and safety. If one tire differs in size, have it replaced with the proper size. Significant size mismatches can lead to early tire wear and damage to other components. Refer to the OEM spec from the VIN lookup.

2. How often should I rotate my tires for the best wear?

Most manufacturers recommend rotating your tires every 5,000–8,000 miles. This evens out wear patterns across the tires for the longest tire life. When rotating, follow the criss-cross pattern outlined in your owner’s manual. And get realigned if it shows uneven wear.

3. Can I use the VIN to determine if there are any tire recalls or complaints for my vehicle?

Unfortunately, the VIN itself does not contain tire recall or complaint data. However, some vehicle history sites may compile and display tire recall information connected to a vehicle’s VIN. So a VIN lookup on the right site could potentially alert you of related recalls.

4. How do I interpret the tire size measurement like P215/60R16?

Once you’ve run a VIN lookup for your car, you may find the tire size represented in a format like this: P215/60R16.

Here’s a detailed explanation for each part:

1. The first letter represents the type of tire: P is for passenger cars, LT is for light trucks, and T is for temporary spares.
2. The three-digit number after the letter is the tire’s width in millimeters, measured from sidewall to sidewall.
3. The two-digit number after the slash is the aspect ratio, which is the height of the tire’s sidewall as a percentage of its width.
4. The letter after the aspect ratio is the tire’s construction type: R is for radial, B is for bias-ply, and D is for diagonal.
5. The two-digit number after the construction type is the diameter of the wheel in inches that the tire is meant to fit.

So, for example, a tire with the size P215/60R16 would be a passenger car tire with a width of 215 millimeters, an aspect ratio of 60, a radial construction type, and meant to fit on a 16-inch wheel. If you’re looking to buy a new set of tires for your car, you can go to reputable tire retailers such as The Tire Rack and Discount Tire.

5. Why is it important to check tire size by VIN?

Confirming your vehicle’s original tire size specs using the VIN is crucial for proper fit, handling, drivability, and safety. One RV owner³ learned this the hard way: After buying a used RV with larger tires than the VIN specified, the shackles broke, the hanger failed, and the axle rode on the frame. And because of the mismatch, his wife was reluctant about future camping.

The main risks of incorrect tire sizing include:

• Rubbing and clearance problems
• Drivetrain strain
• Handling and stability degradation
• Inaccurate speedometer/odometer

So always match the factory tire size from the VIN when replacing tires, to ensure optimal compatibility, handling, and safety.

6. How can I tell if a tire size will rub on my van before installing it⁴?

Unfortunately, there is no definitive way to calculate clearance – tire fitment involves some trial and error. However, here are some tips to assess if a tire may rub:

• Visually inspect space around suspension components, inner fender lips, and bumper corners. Have an assistant turn the wheels fully left/right while you crouch and look for tight spots.
• Measure the existing tire’s outer diameter and width. Compared to new size; significant increases in either dimension boost the risk of rubbing.
• Check forums, Facebook groups to see what oversized tires others have run on your exact van, lift, and wheel combo. This cues you into rubbing risks.
• Test one tire first if unsure. Mount it, and test it through full suspension travel and lock-to-lock turning. Check the inner and outer wheel well area for any contact.
• Rubbing on a stock suspension likely requires a small lift, wheel well modifications, aftermarket control arms, or a less aggressive tire to eliminate. Be prepared to tweak something.

Start conservative if unsure. It’s easier to go up in size later than be stuck with rubbing issues. Always test fit first prior to mounting a full set that may not work. Check all operating conditions to catch any points of contact before they wear or tear something up.

That’s it – 2 methods for you to run a VIN lookup to find the tire size information for your vehicle. Hopefully, they’ve helped. If you have any questions, ideas, or suggestions, you’re more than welcome to leave us a comment below, thanks!

References:

1. r/Honda [wjs227]. (2023, February 14) How do I find the factory wheel size for my Honda…? [Online forum post]. Reddit.
   https://www.reddit.com/r/Honda/comments/111i5pl/how_do_i_find_the_factory_wheel_size_for_my_honda/ ↩︎
2. r/mercedes_benz [True_Mycologist_8094]. (2021, November 22) 2011 Mercedes’ Benz c300 4Matic, I’m wondering I recently purchased this car the last owner had 16 inch 215/55r16s tires all 4 was this a good match? It should be on 18 according to Mercedes’ [Online forum post]. Reddit.
   https://www.reddit.com/r/mercedes_benz/comments/qyz7p8/2011_mercedes_benz_c300_4matic_im_wondering_i/ ↩︎
3. Wildcat [05 Wildcat]. (2009, January 25) Tire size is diffrent than the vin number sticker [Online forum post]. ForestRiverForums.https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f29/tire-size-is-diffrent-than-the-vin-number-sticker-3198.html ↩︎
4. Van Body[SMB_Beancounter]. (2022, February 21) Biggest Tire Size?? [Online forum post]. SportsMobileForum.
   https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/forums/f12/biggest-tire-size-29940.html ↩︎