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Tire Labeling
▼Tire Labeling
Federal law requires tire manufacturers
to place standardized information on
the sidewall of all tires. This
information identi
fies and describes
the fundamental characteristics of the
tire and also provides a tire
identi fication number for safety
standard certi fication and in case of a
recall.
▼ Information on Passenger Vehicle
Tires
Please refer to the sample below.
1. SAFETY WARNING
2. Passenger car tire
3. Nominal width of tire in millimeters
4. Ratio of height to width (aspect
rat io)
5. Radial
6. Run- flat tire
7. Rim diameter code
8. TIN : U.S. DOT tire
identification
number
9. Load index & speed symbol
10.Severe snow conditions
11.Tire ply composition and materials used
12.Max. load rating
13.Tread wear, traction and temperature grades
14.Max. permissible in flation pressure
P215/65R15 95H is an example of a
tire size and load index rating. Here is
an explanation of the various
components of that tire size and load
index rating. Note that the tire size and
load index rating may be di fferent from
the example.
P
Indicates a tire that may be installed on
cars, SUVs, minivans and light trucks as
designated by the Tire and Rim
Association (T&RA).
NOTE
If your tire size does not begin with a
letter this may mean it is designated by
either ETRTO (European Tire and Rim
Technical Organization) or JATMA
(Japan Tire Manufacturing
Association).
215
“215” is the nominal width of the tire
in millimeters. This three-digit number
gives the width in millimeters of the
tire from sidewall edge to sidewall
edge. In general, the larger the
number, the wider the tire.
65
“65” is the aspect ratio. This two-digit
number indicates the tire's ratio of
height to width.
R
“R” is the tire construction symbol. R
indicates “Radial ply construction”.
15
“15” is the wheel rim diameter in
inches.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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Tread Wear, Traction and Temperature
Grades
Tr ea d w ea r : The tread wear grade is a
comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under
controlled conditions on a speci fied
government test course. For example,
a tire graded 150 would wear one and
one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded
100.
Traction: The traction grades, from
highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C.
The grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on
speci fied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
Temperature: The temperature grades
are A (the highest), B and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a speci fied
indoor laboratory test wheel.
Snow Tires
In some heavy snow areas, local
governments may require true snow
tires, those with very deeply cut tread.
These tires should only be used in pairs
or placed on all four wheels. Make
sure you purchase snow tires that are
the same size and construction type as
the other tires on your vehicle.
SAFETY WARNING
The following safety warning appears
on the tire's sidewall.
SERIOUS INJURY MAY RESULT FROM :
EXPLOSION OF TIRE/RIM ASSEMBLY
DUE TO IMPROPER
MOUNTING -MATCH TIRE
DIAMETER TO RIM DIAMETER;
NEVER EXCEED 40 psi (275 kPa) TO
SEAT BEADS -ONLY SPECIALLY
TRAINED PERSONS SHOULD
MOUNT TIRES.
TIRE FAILURE DUE TO UNDER -INFLATION/
OVERLOADING/DAMAGE -FOLLOW
OWNER'S MANUAL AND PLACARD
IN VEHICLE -FREQUENTLY CHECK
INFLATION PRESSURE AND INSPECT
FOR DAMAGE.
▼ Information on Temporary Tires
Please refer to the sample below.
1. Temporary tires
2. Nominal width of tire in millimeters
3. Ratio of height to width (aspect
ratio)
4. Diagonal
5. Rim diameter code
6. Load index & speed symbol
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
8-25
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T115/70D16 90M is an example of a
tire size and load index rating. Here is
an explanation of the various
components of that tire size and load
index rating. Note that the tire size and
load index rating may be different from
the example.
T
Indicates a tire that may be installed on
cars, SUVs, minivans and light trucks as
designated by the Tire and Rim
Association (T&RA).
115
“115” is the nominal width of the tire
in millimeters. This three-digit number
gives the width in millimeters of the
tire from sidewall edge to sidewall
edge. In general, the larger the
number, the wider the tire.
70
“70” is the aspect ratio. This two-digit
number indicates the tire's ratio of
height to width.
D
“D” is the tire cons truction symbol. D
indicates “diagonal ply construction”.
16
“16” is the wheel rim diameter in
inches.
90
“90” is the Load Index. This two-or
three-digit number indicates how
much weight each tire can support.
M
“M” is the speed rating. The speed
rating denotes the maximum speed for
which the use of the tire is rated.
Letter Rating Speed Rating
M 81 mph
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
8-26
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7. Repeat with each tire, including thespare.
NOTE
Some spare tires require higher
inflation pressure.
8. Visually inspect the tires to make sure there are no nails or other
objects embedded that could poke
a hole in the tire and cause an air
leak.
9. Check the sidewalls to make sure there are no gouges, cuts, bulges,
cracks or other irregularities.
▼Glossary of Terms
Tire Placard:
A label indicating the OE
tire sizes, recommended inflation
pressure, and the maximum weight the
vehicle can carry.
Tire Identi fication Number (TIN):
A
number on the sidewall of each tire
providing information about the tire
brand and manufacturing plant, tire
size, and date of manufacture.
In flation Pressure:
A measure of the
amount of air in a tire.
kPa: Kilopascal, the metric unit for air
pressure.
psi: Pounds per square inch, the
English unit for air pressure.
B -pillar: The structural member at the
side of the vehicle behind the front
door.
Original Equipment (OE): Describes
components originally equipped on
the vehicle.
Vehicle Load Limit: The maximum
value of the combination weight of
occupants and cargo.
Bead Area of the Tire: Area of the tire
next to the rim.
Sidewall Area of the Tire: Area
between the bead area and the tread.
Tread Area of the Tire: Area on the
perimeter of the tire that contacts the
road when it's mounted on the
vehicle.
Seating capacity means the total
allowable number of vehicle
occupants. Seating capacity is
described on the tire label.
Production options weight is the
combination weight of installed regular
production options weighing over 2.3
kilograms in excess of the standard
items which they replace, and not
previously considered in the curb
weight or accessory weight, including
heavy duty brakes, ride levelers, roof
rack, heavy duty battery, and special
trim.
Rim is the metal support (wheel) for a
tire or a tire and tube assembly upon
which the tire beads are seated.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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