How to read a tyre

How to read a tyre sidewall

*Maximum load corresponding to the Load Index (LI)

  • 215: Tyre width in millimetres.

  • 60: Tyre aspect ratio. Ratio of height to section width.

  • R: Construction = Radial

  • 17: Internal diameter in inches.

  • 100: Load Index. The load index is a code showing the maximum load a tyre can carry at the recommended pressure.*

  • T: Speed Index. The speed symbol indicates the maximum speed of use under service condition specified by the tyre manufacturer.

LI

lbs

kg

71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80

761
783
805
827
853
882
908
937
963
992

345
355
365
375
387
400
412
425
437
450

LI

lbs

kg

81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90

1019
1047
1074
1102
1135
1168
1201
1235
1279
1323

462
475
487
500
515
530
545
560
580
600

LI

lbs

kg

91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100

1356
1389
1433
1477
1521
1565
1609
1653
1709
1764

615
630
650
670
690
710
730
750
775
800

LI

lbs

kg

101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110

1819
1874
1929
1984
2039
2094
2149
2205
2271
2337

825
850
875
900
925
950
975
1000
1030
1060

Other marking

  Please note that some of these markings are not always used: for example, the 'M+S' marking is solely used for winter tyres.

  • Brand name: e.g. KORMORAN

  • Tyre Range name: e.g. Ultra High Performance

  • 3PMSF: Sidewall symbol of tyres for use in severe snow conditions. Tyres with the '3 Peaks mountain Snow Flake' marking have been tested and offer snow performances confirmed by regulatory snow tests.

  • M+S: Tyres with Mud & Snow marking are snow tyres according to European rulings, the snow performance under winter conditions have not been subject to testing.

  • Tubeless: This indicates that this tyre does not require an inner tube.

  • Manufacturing information: Tyre Identification Number (TIN) is composed of 8 to 12 digits, please read further for the detailed explanation.

  • T5: Factory code where the tyre was made (code is 2 or 3 digits)

  • 1C: Tyre size code

  • 01YX: Manufacturer construction code (optional)

  • 4416: Week and year of manufacture

  • European regulation marking: The 'E' and 'e' markings with the approval numbers marks the compliance with ECE 30 ruling and 2001/43 EC directive and tests associated.
    These markings are mandatory for commercialization in EEC countries.

  • INMETRO: The INMETRO marking with approval number marks the compliance with Brasil’s regulations and associated approval tests.
    These markings are mandatory for commercialization in Brazil.

  • NOM: The NOM marking marks the compliance with Mexican regulation and associated approval tests. This marking is mandatory for commercialization in Mexico.

  • Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
    UTQG was established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to test tyres following government prescribed test methods.

    • Tread wear:
      Grades are based on actual road use A grade of 100 would indicate that the tyre tread would last as long as the reference CMT tyre, 200 would indicate the tread would last twice as long, 300 would indicate three times as long, etc.

    • Traction:
      Grades are based on the tyre's straight line wet coefficient of traction. The UTQG traction test does not evaluate dry braking, dry cornering, wet cornering, or high speed hydroplaning resistance.
      Traction grades are AA, A, B and C (with AA being the highest grade). Any tyre rated under C is considered unacceptable for road travel.

    • Temperature (Resistance):
      Grade indicates the tyre’s ability to dissipate heat under controlled indoor test conditions. The temperature grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B and C. Any tyre rated below C is considered unacceptable.

  • Tyre structure: This branding on the sidewall of a tyre list the materials and number of layers of each material used to reinforce the rubber in the tread and sidewalls.

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