Markings on the Tire Sidewall
It's not always easy to understand every inscription and sign when looking at a tire sidewall. While shopping for your new tires, you may need some information in order to make the proper selection. Therefore, the PMCtire team offers a guide containing some of the most important codes on tire.
Tire Features
- Tire Type (LT) The first letters listed on the sidewall the type of vehicle on which the tire will fit properly. Here are the possibilities : light trucks (LT), tourisms cars (P), spare tires (T) and tires of special trailers (ST).
- Width (255) Expressed in millimeters, this number corresponds to the thickness (width) of the tire.
- Height / Width Ratio (40%) This percentage is the ratio of the height of the sidewall and the tire width, or the thickness of the sidewall, by the percentage of the width. The higher the ratio (percentage), the higher the tire sidewall, bringing more comfort on the road.
- Construction (R) This letter informs you of the internal construction of the tire. In general, a tire has a radial type of construction (R), that is to say that the textile cords of the carcass completely cover the tire. Other types of construction exist, diagonal (D), for example, or belted (B). The letters "ZR" before the diameter of the wheel do not indicate a construction type, but a speed rating, as explained below. Tires with a speed rating "W" (270 km / h) or Y (300+ km / h) are considered "ZR".
- Wheel Diameter (17) This measurement in inches indicates the wheel diameter the tire is designed for.
- Overload (XL) The inscription XL after the diameter of the tire means a reinforced tire with a higher load capacity than a standard tire of the same size.
- Load Index This value refers to the maximum weight the tires can carry, considering that they have adequate pressure. You find that real weight in the load table index.
- Speed Rating (W) This letter refers to the maximum safe speed (in terms of characteristic of the tire, not in the meaning of the law) a tire can support. You can refer to the speed ratings of this charter. It varies between 120km/h and 300km/h).
- Symbol M and S (M+S) A tire with the letters "M" and "S" indicates a confident drive in the mud and snow as it meets the requirements of the Rubber Manufacturers Association.
- European Homologation (E11) This feature certifies that the tire complies with European government standards (reinforced).
- Reinforced Tire "RF" on the sidewall of the tire indicates that it was strengthened to withstand a higher load.
Transport Ministry Security Code
- Security Code (Department of transportation or DOT) The DOT mention on tires ensure compliance with the safety standards of the Department of the US transportation.
- Date of Manufacture (05 11) In this code, the last four digits correspond to the date of fabrication of tires (the week (05) and the year (11)).
- UTQG This section presents the uniform classification of quality of the tire. The UTQG rating (Universal Tire Quality Guide) is based on three criteria that the wear of the tread, traction and temperature. For more information, see technical data sheet.
Here is a list of important elements:
Signs and markings |
|
Signs |
Meanings |
| C (LRC) | 6 ply reinforced tire |
| D (LRD) | 8 ply reinforced tire |
| E (LRE) | 10 ply reinforced tire |
| PR | Ply Rating: Equivalence of the number of plies without necessarily contain a number of plies. Tire reinforced with stronger materials |
| A/T | All-Terrain tires |
| C | Marking for utilitary/truck vehicle |
| Conti-Seal / Seal | Self-selling standard production tires |
| DA | Tires with Aspect Failure, second choice with the same manufacturer warranties |
| DEMO | New tires and still guaranteed, but have been mounted and dismounted (which may have rolled a few km) |
| DOT | Week and year of manufacture: 4910 (49th week of 2010) |
| DSST | Dunlop Self-Supporting Technology run-flat tires-: tires with run-flat technology, Dunlop |
| DT | Different Tread Design |
| DT1 | New version of the tire profile |
| EMT | Goodyear Extended Mobility tire: tire with run-flat technology, from Goodyear |
| FP | Tires with alloy wheel protection flange |
| FR / FSL | Tires with rim protection flange |
| G1 | Outside diameter where the width of the tread differs from the same tire without G1 marking. We recommend to fit 4 G1 tires if the vehicle is 4WD |
| HRS | Hankook Runflat System: runflat technology, from Hankook |
| PBA / V1 | New tread compound with better performance and economy |
| LT | Light Truck - Truck Tires |
| MEDIUM | Medium compound |
| MFS | Max flange Shield: tires with rim protection flange (protects the tire from shocks against pavements) |
| M+S | Mud and Snow: performance tire in the mudd |
| M/T | Mud / Terrain: efficient tire in muddy and uneven land |
| NCS | Noise Control System |
| NHS | (Not for Highway Service) unapproved tires for road use |
| Pax | Technology that allows you to continue driving safely for 200 km at 80 km / h in case of pressure loss, by Michelin |
| RPB | Rim Protection Bar: Rim flange Protection |
| RFT / RunFlat | Runflat technology which allows the tire to continue driving for 80 km at a maximum speed of 80 km/h in case of total or partial loss of pressure |
| ROF | Run on flat Tyres with run-flat technology, from Goodyear |
| S1 / S2 | Tires meeting new noise standards |
| Spike | Studded tires |
| SSR | Self-Supporting Run-flat Tyre or tire load flanks. The runflat system allows to drive ride 80 km at a maximum speed of 80 km / h. Any vehicle with SSR tires must be fitted with a pressure monitoring system |
| STUDDABLE | Tires studdable. These tires must be used by. 4 Studded tires are subject to departmental regulations |
| TT | Tubetype, tires with inner tubes |
| XL | Extra Load: tires with reinforced carcass for a load index higher than the standard |
| ZP | Run-Flat technology, by Michelin |
LETTRAGE |
|
| BL | Black Label: black lettering on the sidewall |
| BS | Black Stylized |
| BSW | Black Sidewall |
| OBL | Outlined Black Letters |
| OWL / WL | Off White Letters / White Letters |
| OWT | Outlined white letters |
| RB | Black lettering surrounded by white on the sidewall |
| RBL | Raised or Recessed black letters |
| RBT | Raised black letters Tubless |
| RGL | Raised Gold Letters |
| RWL | Raised white Letters |
| SB | Serrated Black Stripe |
| SBL | Serrated Black Letters |
| VSB | Vertical serrated Band |
| NW / WW / WWW | White sidewall |
APPROVAL or ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT |
|
| * | BMW approved tires |
| 1Z / 2Z / BZ / FZ / HZ / NZ / OZ / JGC / VZ / WZ / XZ / YZ | Bridgestone original equipment tire mounts |
| A | Renault Espace IV 18” approved tires |
| A2A / AM6 / AM8 AML / AMR / AMS / AMX | Aston Martin approved tires |
| AM9 | Approval for Aston Martin: DB9 Volante VA V8 |
| AO | Audi Original equipment |
| AU | Audi approved tires |
| AR | Alfa Romeo |
| ARR | Alfa Romeo Racing |
| AZ | Alfa Romeo / Fiat / Subaru / Toyota approved tires |
| B - B1 | Bentley approved tires |
| C1 | Chrysler Viper approved tires |
| CZ - GZ | Subaru approved tires |
| DZ | Honda / Mazda / Toyota approved tires |
| EZ | Audi / Mazda 6 approved tires |
| FO | Ford approved tires |
| G | Tires recommended for Volkswagen Golf |
| HO | Honda |
| J - JRS | Jaguar approved tires |
| JZ | Seat / Subaru approved tires |
| K1 / K2 | Ferrari approved tires |
| KZ | Nissan / Toyota approved tires |
| RSO | Land Rover |
| LZ | Lancia approved tires |
| MC1 | McLaren |
| MGT | Maserati |
| MO | Mercedes Original equipment |
| MO1 | Mercedes approved :SL65 AMG |
| MOExtended | MercedesExtended: Marking RunFlat tire for Mercedes |
| MZ | Special homologation tires for Mitsubishi / Toyota |
| NO / N1 / N2 / N3 / N4 / N5 / N6> | Porsche approved tires. The digital scale tires reflect either enhancements over the previous generation of the same tire equipment |
| OE | Original tire homolagation on some vehicles |
| PE | Tires approved by Peugeot |
| PZ | Ford / Mazda / Mercedes / VW approved tires |
| QZ | Mini approved tires |
| R01 / R02 | Specific constructor marking for certain models of the Audi brand (Quattro / RS4 / RS6 / R8) |
| SZ | Mazda MPV approved tires |
| TO | Toyota |
| TZ | Mazda 6 approved tires |
| UZ | BMW 3 / Skoda approved tires |
| VO | Volkswagen approved tires |
| VW | Volkswagen |
