Tyre lettering (example), meaning
21
SIDEWALL 1 PLY
RAYON
Details of the tyre carcass components:
1 ply of rayon (artificial silk).
TREAD 4 PLIES
Details of the tread components:
1 RAYON + 2 STEEL
+ 1 NYLON
In the example there are 4 plies under the tread surface: 1 ply of
rayon (artificial silk), 2 steel belt plies and 1 nylon ply.
a)
The TIN is the tyre serial number.
The tyre lettering is located on both sides.
Certain labels may only be found on one side
of the tyre, e.g. tyre identification number
and manufacturing date.
Any further numbers and letters are internal
codes used by the tyre manufacturer or
country-specific codes.
Low-profile tyres
Low-profile tyres have a wider tread surface,
larger rim diameter and lower sidewalls than
conventional wheel/tyre combinations
→ page 329. Low-profile tyres can improve
the vehicle's handling and precision. They
may however result in a less comfortable ride
on uneven road surfaces and tracks.
Tyres with directional tread pattern
An arrow on the tyre sidewall indicates the
direction of rotation on tyres with directional
tread. The direction of rotation must be ob-
served in all cases. This guarantees the best
possible running characteristics.
If, however, the tyre is fitted in the opposite
direction to the tread pattern, you must take
more care when driving as the tyre is now no
longer being used according to its designa-
tion. The tyres must be replaced as quickly as
possible or be fitted with the tread in the cor-
rect direction.
Asymmetrical tyres
Asymmetrical tyres take into account the dif-
fering behaviour of the inner and outer areas
of the tread pattern. The sidewalls of asym-
metrical tyres are marked to indicate "inside"
or "outside". Always observe the correct tyre
position on the wheel rim.
Tyre load
The load index indicates the maximum load
capacity of an individual tyre in kilograms
(tyre load).
Examples:
425 kg
462 kg
487 kg
515 kg
545 kg
560 kg
615 kg
630 kg
650 kg
690 kg
730 kg
775 kg
800 kg
825 kg
850 kg
875 kg
900 kg
Speed index
The speed index indicates the maximum per-
mitted speed that may be driven with the
tyre.
max. 150 km/h (93 mph)
max. 160 km/h (99 mph)
max. 170 km/h (106 mph)
max. 180 km/h (112 mph)
max. 190 km/h (118 mph)
max. 200 km/h (125 mph)
max. 210 km/h (130 mph)
max. 240 km/h (149 mph)
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81
83
85
87
88
91
92
93
95
97
99
100
101
102
103
104
P
Q
R
S
T
U
H
V
338
Wheels and tyres