534 6-1. Specifications
Tire related termMeaning
Innerliner separationThe parting of the innerliner from cord material
in the carcass
Intended outboard
sidewall
(a)The sidewall that contains a whitewall, bears white lettering, or bears manufacturer,
brand, and/or model name molding that is
higher or deeper than the same molding on
the other sidewall of the tire, or
(b)The outward facing sidewall of asymmetrical tire that has a particular side that must
always face outward when mounted on a
vehicle
Light truck (LT) tire
A tire designated by its manufacturer as
primarily intended for use on lightweight trucks
or multipurpose passenger vehicles
Load ratingThe maximum load that a tire is rated to carry
for a given inflation pressure
Maximum load ratingThe load rating for a tire at the maximum
permissible inflation pressure for that tire
Maximum permissible
inflation pressureThe maximum cold inflation pressure to which
a tire may be inflated
Measuring rimThe rim on which a tire is fitted for physical
dimension requirements
Open spliceAny parting at any junction of tread, sidewall, or
innerliner that extends to cord material
Outer diameterThe overall diameter of an inflated new tire
Overall width
The linear distance between the exteriors of
the sidewalls of an inflated tire, including
elevations due to labeling, decorations, or
protective bands or ribs
Passenger car tire
A tire intended for use on passenger cars,
multipurpose passenger vehicles, and trucks,
that have a gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of 10,000 lb. or less
535
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
Tire related termMeaning
PlyA layer of rubber-coated parallel cords
Ply separationA parting of rubber compound between
adjacent plies
Pneumatic tire
A mechanical device made of rubber,
chemicals, fabric and steel or other materials,
that, when mounted on an automotive wheel,
provides the traction and contains the gas or
fluid that sustains the load
Radial ply tire
A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that
extend to the beads are laid at substantially 90
degrees to the centerline of the tread
Reinforced tire
A tire designed to operate at higher loads and
at higher inflation pressures than the
corresponding standard tire
Section width
The linear distance between the exteriors of
the sidewalls of an inflated tire, excluding
elevations due to labeling, decoration, or
protective bands
SidewallThat portion of a tire between the tread and
bead
Sidewall separationThe parting of the rubber compound from the
cord material in the sidewall
Snow tire
A tire that attains a traction index equal to or
greater than 110, compared to the ASTM E-
1136 Standard Reference Test Tire, when
using the snow traction test as described in
ASTM F-1805-00, Standard Test Method for
Single Wheel Driving Traction in a Straight Line
on Snow-and Ice-Covered Surfaces, and which
is marked with an Alpine Symbol ( ) on at
least one sidewall
Te s t r i m
The rim on which a tire is fitted for testing, and
may be any rim listed as appropriate for use
with that tire
