Curbweight
The weight ofavehicle with standard
equipment includingthemaximum capacity
of fuel, oil and coolant.Italso includes the air-
conditioningsystem and optional equipment
if these are installed in the vehicle, but does
not include passengers or luggage.
Maximumload rating
The maximum tireload is the maximum
permissible weight in kilograms or lbs for
whichatireisapproved.
Maximumpermissible tirepressure
Maximum permissible tirepressure for one
tire.
Maximumload on one tire
Maximum load on one tire. This is calculated
by dividingthe maximum axle load of one axle
by two.
PSI (pounds per squareinch)
Astandardunitofmeasure for tire pressure.
Aspect ratio
Relationship between tire height and tire
width in percent.
Tirepressure
This is pressure inside the tire applying an
outward forcetoeach square inch of the tire's
surface. The tire pressure is specified in
pounds per square inch (psi), in kilopascal
(kPa) or in bar. The tire pressure should only
be corrected when the tires are cold.
Cold tirepressure
The tires are cold:
Rif the vehicle has been parked without
direct sunlight on the tires for at least three
hours and
Rif the vehicle has been driven for less than
1mile (1.6 km).
Tread
The part of the tire that comes intocontact
with the road.
Bead
The tire bead ensures that the tire sits
securely on the wheel. There are several steel
wires in the bead to preventthe tire from
comingloose from the wheel rim.
Sidewall
The part of the tire between the tread and the
bead.
Weight of optional extras
The combined weight of those optional extras
that weigh more than the replaced standard
parts and more than 2.3 kilograms (5 lbs).
These optional extras, such as high-
performance brakes, level control,aroof rack
orahigh-performancebattery, are not
included in the curb weight and the weight of
the accessories.
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
This isaunique identifier which can be used
byatire manufacturer to identify tires, for
example foraproduct recall, and thus identify
the purchasers. The TIN is made up of the
manufacturer's identity code, tire size, tire
type code and the manufacturing date.
Load bearing index
The load bearing index (also load index) is a
code that contains the maximum load bearing
capacity ofatire.
Traction
Traction is the result of friction between the
tires and the road surface.
Treadwear indicators
Narrow bars (tread wear bars) that are
distributed over the tire tread. If the tire tread
is level with the bars, the wear limit of in
(1.6 mm) has been reached.
356All about wheels and tires
Wheels and tires