Why Trim Level Matters When Buying Tires & Rims

To help you understand vehicle trim levels, this post answers the following questions:

• What does trim level mean in automobile jargon?
• What is the trim of my car, SUV, truck?
• How can I look up tire size by VIN?
• What tire size does my car have?

Vehicle trim refers to the different “versions” that vehicles come in. As an example, you may drive a Toyota Camry, but Toyota has several vehicle configurations, such as LE, SE, XLE, and XSE. These configurations are actually different trims, and tire sizes vary from trim level to trim level, which is why we ask you to confirm your vehicle trim size before ordering tires online. 

Almost every model of car has different trim options offered by the manufacturer. Sure, these trims usually correspond to prices and features, but what we want you to know is that your vehicle trim can affect the size of tire that you need. Returning tires because of the wrong size for vehicle trim is one of the top customer concerns. 

This article will help explain vehicle trim, how to find your vehicle’s trim, why and how it impacts tire size, and, most importantly, how to make sure you buy the right tires for your car. 

What Does Trim Level Mean? 

Different vehicle trim levels refer to the versions of a vehicle model. When you buy a car, the dealer will tell you about the different options packages available, depending on your budget and how you drive your car. You may be able to get a hybrid, sport, or ECO version of your vehicle, for example. 

Trim levels will include several vehicle features, beyond aesthetics, as the word “trim” suggests. For example, it may affect your engine size, the interior upholstery, the center console, and other parts and materials used. 

You may drive a Toyota Camry LE and your friend drives the sportier Camry TRD. Even though you both have the same model of car, the difference in trim means a bunch of different features between the two models. While the LE gets better gas mileage than the TRD (28/39 city/highway vs 22/31), the TRD has better acceleration power. 

	2022 Toyota Camry LE (gas)	2022 Toyota Camry TRD
Engine	203-hp, 2.5-liter, 4 cylinders	301-hp, 3.5-liter, V6
Drivetrain	Front-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
Front wheel size	17 × 7.5 in	19 × 8.5 in
Rear wheel size	17 × 7.5 in	19 × 8.5 in
Front tire size	P215/55VR17	P235/40VR19
Rear tire size	P215/55VR17	P235/40VR19
Base curb weight	3,310 lbs	3,575 lbs

Manufacturers will also use different tire sizes depending on the vehicle’s trim. Tires aren’t one-size-fits-all. They have a lot of influence on your vehicle’s performance, and a manufacturer may alter the size of a tire to suit the vehicle’s design. A certain vehicle trim may be intended to carry heavier loads and therefore need larger tires. Other trims may require smaller tires to lower cost, or to fit an aerodynamic, lightweight vehicle design. 

Why Does Trim Level Matter?

Trim level matters because it’s not just cosmetic; it’s a fundamental difference in the materials and workmanship of your car. Different vehicle trims will use different size tires and, importantly, you can’t use the wrong size tire on your vehicle, even if it’s close. 

Using a tire that’s not intended for your car, or having any number of mismatched tires on your vehicle, is dangerous. You’ll notice discomfort while driving and your tires will even wear down unevenly, resulting in an unpredictable, dangerous driving experience. The wrong tire size can also negatively impact fuel efficiency.

Because trim level impacts your vehicle so much, pay special care to find the exact trim of your car. 

Where Do You Find Your Trim Level?

The vehicle trim is found in multiple places. For example: 

• Somewhere on the external chassis of your car as a sticker, decal, or lettering. This is usually near the trunk of your car. 
• The owner’s manual, which will list the make, model, and year of your vehicle. It should also include the trim information. 
• Your vehicle’s VIN.* Use a tool like this Decode the VIN to get information about your car, including its trim. 
• Your vehicle’s registration may include the make, mode, year, and trim of your car. 

You can also Google search your vehicle to find out the different trim packages that are available. If you’re thinking of buying a vehicle and don’t yet know the trim options, this is a good way to find out. Especially useful for when you already have a set of tires in mind but want to make sure they’ll fit a prospective vehicle. 

Where do you find a vehicle’s VIN?

You can find the VIN (vehicle identification number) of your vehicle in a number of places:

• The sales receipt, especially if you bought the vehicle from a dealership.
• An etched plaque on the driver’s side dashboard, visible from the outside looking in, near the wipers.
• The manufacturer’s sticker on the doorjamb, typically on the driver’s side (photo example below with VIN redacted).
• Your state registration papers that you received when you purchased and/or renewed your license plates.

Understanding your trim level, VIN, and tire size

How do you know what tire size is right for your trim level? 

• Find your vehicle’s intended tire size on the door jamb of your vehicle (see image below).
• Research the specific trim of your vehicle via the car’s manual, and verify it by checking your license registration or purchase paperwork. 
• Use our Tire Matching Tool that searches for tires that will fit your vehicle’s make, model, and trim. 

When shopping for tires, Tire Agent asks you to enter information about your vehicle to see the available tires we have for your vehicle. While you can also search our catalog for specific sizes of tires, we recommend starting with vehicle make, year, model, and trim. 

The tire matching tool also pertains to wheels, which are also trim-dependent. 

Once you enter your car’s manufacturer, year, and model, you’ll be prompted to choose your vehicle trim. You’ll immediately see what size your vehicle’s trim was manufactured with. 

Tire sizes are complicated, and Tire Agent’s tire matching tool makes sure you won’t get the wrong size tires for your vehicle’s trim. We’ve got the perfect tires for your car in stock today, so try out our tire matching tool for free and see how Tire Agent can get you a new set of tires with fast and free shipping. 

---

ID 40464520 | Stocksolutions | Dreamstime.com