- 185 - tire width, mm;
- 65 - ratio of height to width of profile, %;
- R - radial tire:
- 15 - disk diameter in inches;
- 84 - load index (Table 14.1):
- H - speed index (Table 14.2);
- M+S - winter tires.
Depending on the type and country of manufacture, the following special markings may be additionally applied to the side surface of the tyre, providing more detailed information about the given model.
Reinforced (reinforced) - for tires with increased load capacity.
Regroovable - for tires on which the tread pattern can be deepened by cutting.
Steel (steel belted) - a tire with a surrounding metal cord.
TWI inscription (tread wear index)...
...or a triangular shaped symbol indicates the location of the wear indicators...
...made in the form of protrusions inside the tread grooves. Once the tread wears down to the level of these indicators, the tire is considered unfit for use.
Tire load indexes
Table 14.1.
Load index | Load, kg |
50 | 190 |
51 | 195 |
52 | 200 |
53 | 206 |
54 | 212 |
55 | 218 |
56 | 224 |
57 | 230 |
58 | 236 |
59 | 243 |
60 | 250 |
61 | 257 |
62 | 265 |
63 | 272 |
64 | 280 |
65 | 290 |
66 | 300 |
67 | 307 |
68 | 315 |
69 | 325 |
70 | 335 |
71 | 345 |
72 | 355 |
73 | 365 |
74 | 375 |
75 | 387 |
76 | 400 |
77 | 412 |
78 | 426 |
79 | 437 |
80 | 450 |
81 | 462 |
82 | 475 |
83 | 487 |
84 | 500 |
85 | 515 |
86 | 530 |
87 | 545 |
88 | 560 |
89 | 580 |
90 | 600 |
91 | 615 |
92 | 630 |
93 | 650 |
94 | 670 |
95 | 690 |
96 | 710 |
97 | 730 |
98 | 750 |
99 | 775 |
100 | 800 |
101 | 825 |
Tyre speed ratings
Table 14.2.
Speed index | Maximum speed, km/h |
A | 40 |
IN | 50 |
WITH | 60 |
D | 65 |
E | 70 |
F | 80 |
G | 90 |
J | 100 |
TO | 110 |
L | 120 |
M | 130 |
N | 140 |
R | 150 |
Q | 160 |
R | 170 |
S | 180 |
T | 190 |
U | 200 |
H | 210 |
V | 240 |
W | 270 |
Y | 300 |
ZR | More than 240 |
Safety warning - for tires on the US and Canadian markets, text in English explaining some of the subtleties of safe use of the tire.
The tire manufacturing date consists of three digits, the first two of which indicate the week and the last one the year of manufacture (since 2000 - four digits, the last two of which indicate the year of manufacture).
DOT - a symbol of compliance with current safety standards set by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Next comes the identification or serial number of the tire (up to 11 numbers and letters).
A - a sign with a number - the number of the country that issued the certificate of conformity according to the UNECE rules.
ETRTO (The European Tyre and Rim Technical Organization) - Association of European Tyre and Wheel Manufacturers, Brussels.
ECE (Economic Commission for Europe) - the UN agency in Geneva.
FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) - US safety regulations.
Tubeless - tubeless tire construction.
Tubed Tire - a tire with a chamber construction.
Plies tread - the composition of the tread layer.
Sidewall - composition of the sidewall layer.
Rotation - direction of rotation.
Left - the tire is installed on the left side of the car (for tires with directional tread pattern).
Right - the tire is installed on the right side of the car (for tires with directional tread pattern).
Outside (Side facing outwards) - external side of the installation (for tires with asymmetric tread pattern).
Inside (Side facing inwards) - inner side of the installation (for tires with asymmetric tread pattern).
DA (stamp) - minor manufacturing defects that do not interfere with normal operation.
Often, letters can indicate operating conditions, for example:
- M+S («Mud» +» Snow» - dirt and snow);
- R+W («Road» +» Winter» - road and winter);
- Winter - winter;
- Rain - rain;
- Water or Aqua - water;
- AW (Any weather) - all-weather;
- All Season (all-season) etc. - tires designed for use in specific conditions.
Some manufacturers use icons instead of letter designations (sun, snowflake, cloud, etc).