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Tyre Markings
Sidewall Markings
On the sidewall of a tyre you will find various codes and markings. The list below
aims to simplify the coding system and allow you, the user, to understand the valuable
information imprinted on the sidewall.
Tyre Sizes
Tyre sizes are made up of a number of different numbers and letters. For example
tyre size 175/70 R 13 82 T is made up of the following information:
|
175 |
The tyre section width in millimetres (That is the width of the tyre tread) |
|
70 |
The aspect ratio in % (the height of the sidewall divided by the tyre's width) |
|
R |
Denotes the tyre's construction type - in this case it's a radial |
|
13 |
Rim diameter in inches |
|
82 |
Load Index |
|
T |
Speed Rating |
Tyre Age
Tyres carry a three digit age code on the sidewall indicating the month and year
of manufacture. For example 129 means the tyre was manufactured in December 1999.
Other Markings
M&S - Identifies Mud and Snow tyres
DOT Codes - Coding satisfying the requirements of the US Department of Transportation
contain a mixture of letters and numbers such as DOT DVDE MTA 129. These identify
the place of manufacture.
E-Marks - Tyres for sale in the European Community must carry an E -Mark
in accordance with ECE Reg 30 - eg E4 027550.
Speed Ratings
All tyres carry a speed symbol in the form of a letter indicating the maximum speed
for which the tyre is intended. The table below shows which speed goes with each
letter.
|
Speed symbol |
Maximum speed km/h
|
mph
|
|
N |
140
|
87 |
|
P |
150
|
93 |
|
Q |
160
|
99 |
|
R |
170
|
106 |
|
S |
180
|
112 |
|
T |
190
|
118 |
|
H |
210
|
130 |
|
V |
240
|
149 |
|
W |
270
|
168 |
|
Y |
300 |
186 |
It should be noted that these ratings are important in that it is a breach of Construction
and Use regulations to run on tyres that are below the specified Load Index, it
may also be dangerous.
Additionally, if your car is fitted with W-rated tyres, and you tow a trailer, then
in the UK that trailer may have T-rated tyres (if applicable), but in France your
trailer tyres' rating should match that of the tow vehicle.
Load Indices
Drivers should be aware that these ratings exist to protect the public from the
possible outcome of overloading a tyre. Also, that these load ratings apply to a
properly inflated tyre.
Overloading a tyre - either by carrying more weight than it is designed to carry,
or by running at a lower than specified pressure, can cause heat build up that can
destroy the tyre. Even at low speeds a blow out can be fatal.
It is a breach of Construction and Use Regulations to run on overloaded tyres or
tyres with the wrong load rating. The load-index figure imprinted on the sidewall
of the tyre denotes the maximum load capacity of a tyre when driven at maximum speed.
A list of load indices and maximum weights is give below:
|
Li
|
kg
|
Li
|
kg
|
|
65
|
290
|
94
|
670
|
|
66
|
300
|
95
|
690
|
|
67
|
307
|
96
|
710
|
|
68
|
315
|
97
|
730
|
|
69
|
325
|
98
|
750
|
|
70
|
335
|
99
|
775
|
|
71
|
345
|
100
|
800
|
|
72
|
355
|
101
|
825
|
|
73
|
365
|
102
|
850
|
|
74
|
375
|
103
|
875
|
|
75
|
387
|
104
|
900
|
|
76
|
400
|
105
|
925
|
|
77
|
412
|
106
|
950
|
|
78
|
425
|
107
|
975
|
|
79
|
237
|
108
|
1000
|
|
80
|
450
|
109
|
1030
|
|
81
|
462
|
110
|
1060
|
|
82
|
475
|
111
|
1090
|
|
83
|
487
|
112
|
1120
|
|
84
|
500
|
113
|
1150
|
|
85
|
515
|
114
|
1180
|
|
86
|
530
|
115
|
1215
|
|
87
|
545
|
116
|
1250
|
|
88
|
560
|
117
|
1285
|
|
89
|
580
|
118
|
1320
|
|
90
|
600
|
119
|
1360
|
|
91
|
615
|
|
|
|
92
|
630
|
|
|
|
93
|
650
|
|
|
|