Tire specifications
How to interpret the characteristics of a tire
This section will enrich your knowledge for a better overall understanding of tire characteristics. This technical information will serve as a reference for you when shopping for tires and answer most of your questions. You will find content on benchmarks, on the ideal time to change or buy your tires, on how to read a tire sidewall correctly, as well as a guide on the grip.
The first number represents the width of the tire. It is expressed in millimeters (mm). The second number is the height/width ratio (in %), a ratio between the height of the tire sidewall and its width. The number after the R is the diameter of the rim in inches.
A tire is characterized by several criteria that are presented in numbers and letters. This may seem a bit abstract, but it is very simple! To clarify this point, let's take an example with the size 235/45R18.
| Tire specification | Description |
| 235 | Width |
| 45 | The height/width ratio in % |
| R | Radial structure |
| 18 | The rim diameter in inches |
Speed rating, load capacity, number of plies and UTQG index
To guide you, we tell you everything about the origins and value of the speed index recorded on the side of your tire. You will also find a reference table for the maximum speed a tire can reach and several warnings about speed ratings when purchasing new tires. You can consult the table of the load capacity of your vehicle and the list of the number of tire plies on our site. For the three criteria used in the Uniform Tire Quality Guide (UTQG) rating, visit this section.
When to purchase new tires or change your winter tires
Are you wondering when the ideal time to change your tires is? We give you expert advice on maximizing security while driving and reducing the risk of breakage of the tire. In addition, we specify the ideal time to buy new summer / 4 Season tires and winter tires. We also discuss the importance and the need to equip your vehicle with winter tires.
The age of the tire and the DOT
This section provides the information you need on the tire's age and lifetime, according to the date of purchase, date of manufacture and external conditions influencing the generation of the tire. Discover where to find the date of manufacture (DOT) on your tires.
Maximum inflation pressure
This is a crucial point to note. A tire with a maximum inflation pressure (Max. PSI) of 45 pounds does not mean you have to inflate it to that pressure. It is simply the maximum pressure the tire can handle. When inflating your tires, go only by the numbers in your owner’s manual, which the vehicle’s engineers have carefully calculated.
Before you buy new tires, you should know how to read the information on the tire. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact a customer service specialist who will be happy to help you.