Eli5: how come tires use marking from different measurement system. Metric for the width, imperial for radius and percentage for height? (like 205/50 R16)

Question

Eli5: how come tires use marking from different measurement system. Metric for the width, imperial for radius and percentage for height? (like 205/50 R16)

In: 422

Answer 1

We don’t use the Imperial system in the U.S.; we use U.S. customary unit system. Calling it “Imperial units” sounds sophisticated, but it’s wrong.