Tires: Tire size, proper inflation, toyota camry

Question
first, 95 toyota camry, looking for new tires, all season, not sure what size. looked thru old records and manual and found sizes 215/65,205/65 and 205/70.
what is difference? what do numbers mean?

Inept in VT

Answer
Kevin,

Start with this web page:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/general/size_information.jsp

You'll find other pages useful so spend some time in the web site.

Once you've done that, you'll want to find your vehicle's certication label, commonly called the placard.  On it will be the original tire size and the proper inflation pressfor that size.  the placard is usually located on a doorpost or in the glove box.  

I like to use 3 to 5 psi above the placard.  I get better fuel economy, better tire wear, better wet traction, better snow traction, better steering response, better tire durability, and only give up a bit of ride harshness.

"They" say you should check your tire pressures once a month.  Don't trust the guys at the shop to do it.  These guys are paid by the hour and this is one of the easiest things to shortcut.  Besides, there are a lot of mechanics you don't know where to look for the proper inflation.  No, it is not on the sidewall.

Buy yourself a tire gauge - a $5.00 pencil gauge works just fine, but I prefer the pistol grip digitals because they are remarkably accurate.  The check takes all of 5 minutes and it is the cheapest safety check you can make.