Tire labeling
Overview
:
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standard
(
Y
page 338)
;
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(
Y
page 337)
=
Maximum tire load (
Y
page 337)
?
Maximum tire pressure (
Y
page 327)
A
Manufacturer
B
Tire material (
Y
page 338)
C
Tire size designation, load-bearing capacity
and speed rating (
Y
page 335)
D
Load index (
Y
page 337)
E
Tire name
The markings described above are on the tire in
addition to the tire name (sales designation) and
the manufacturer's name.
i
Tire data is vehicle-specific and may deviate
from the data in the example.
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed rating
G
WARNING
Exceeding the stated tire load-bearing capa-
city and the approved maximum speed could
lead to tire damage or the tire bursting. There
is a risk of accident.
Therefore, only use tire types and sizes
approved for your vehicle model. Observe the
tire load rating and speed rating required for
your vehicle.
General: depending on the manufacturer's
standards, the size imprinted in the tire wall may
not contain any letters or may contain one letter
that precedes the size description.
If there is no letter preceding the size descrip-
tion (as shown above): these are passenger
vehicle tires according to European manufac-
turing standards.
If "P" precedes the size description: these are
passenger vehicle tires according to U.S. man-
ufacturing standards.
If "LT" precedes the size description: these are
light truck tires according to U.S. manufacturing
standards.
If "T" precedes the size description: compact
emergency wheels with high tire pressure that
are only designed for temporary use in an emer-
gency.
Tire width:tire width
:
shows the nominal tire
width in millimeters.
Height-width ratio: aspect ratio
;
is the size
ratio between the tire height and tire width and
is shown in percent. The aspect ratio is calcula-
ted by dividing the tire width by the tire height.
Tire code:tire code
=
specifies the tire type.
"R" represents radial tires; "D" represents diag-
onal tires; "B" represents diagonal radial tires.
Optionally, tires with a maximum speed of over
149 mph (240 km/h) may have "ZR" in the size
description, depending on the manufacturer
(e.g. 245/40 ZR 18).
Rim diameter: rim diameter
?
is the diameter
of the bead seat, not the diameter of the rim
flange. The rim diameter is specified in
inches (in).
All about wheels and tires
335
Whee
ls
an
d
tire
s
Z
