If your vehicle is equipped with summer tires, be aware that these tires are
not designed for winter driving conditions. For more information, contact a
dealer.
Using the wrong chains, or not properly installing chains, can damage the
brake lines and cause a crash in which you can be seriously injured or
killed.
Follow all instructions in this guide regarding the selection and use of tire
chains.
Tire Labeling
The tires that came on your vehicle have a number of markings. Those you
should be aware of are described below.
Here is an example of what each component means:
P235/60R18 102V
• P: tire type (passenger vehicle)
• 235: tire width in millimeters
• 60: aspect ratio (tire section height as a
percentage of its width)
• R: tire construction code (radial)
• 18: rim diameter in inches
• 102: load index (code indicating
maximum load tire can carry)
• V: speed symbol (code indicating
maximum speed rating)
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Tire Identification Number (TIN)
The tire identification number (TIN) is a
group of numbers and letters that look
like the following example. The TIN is
located on the sidewall of the tire.
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Glossary of Tire Terminology
Cold Tire Pressure – The tire air pressure when the vehicle has been parked
for at least three hours or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Load Rating – The maximum load that a tire is rated to carry for a given
inflation pressure.
Maximum Inflation Pressure – The maximum tire air pressure that the tire
can hold.
Maximum Load Rating – The load rating for a tire at the maximum
permissible inflation pressure for that tire.
Recommended Inflation Pressure – The cold tire inflation pressure
recommended by the manufacturer.
Treadwear Indicators (TWI) – The projections within the principal grooves
designed to give a visual indication of the degrees of wear of the tread.
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