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09
9-39
Tire Sidewall Labeling
This information identifies and
describes the fundamental
characteristics of the tire and also
provides the tire identification
number (TIN) for safety standard
certification. The TIN can be used to
identify the tire in case of a recall.
OLMB073028
1
5, 6
7
4
3
1
2
1. Manufacturer or brand name
Manufacturer or brand name is
shown.
2. Tire size designation
A tire’s sidewall is marked with a
tire size designation. You will need
this information when selecting
replacement tires for your car.
The following explains what the
letters and numbers in the tire size
designation mean.Example tire size designation:
(These numbers are provided as
an example only; your tire size
designator could vary depending on
your vehicle.)
225/45R18 95Y
225 Tire width in millimeters.
45 Aspect ratio. The tire’s section
height as a percentage of its
width.
R - Tire construction code (Radial).
18 Rim diameter in inches.
95 Load Index, a numerical code associated with the maximum
load the tire can carry.
Y Speed Rating Symbol. See the speed rating chart in this section
for additional information.
heel si e designation
Wheels are also marked with
important in
formation that you need
if you ever have to replace one. The
following explains what the letters
and numbers in the wheel size
designation mean.
Example wheel size designation:
8.0J X 18
8.0 - Rim width in inches.
J - Rim contour designation.
18 - Rim diameter in inches.
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Maintenance9-40
Tire speed ratings
The chart below lists many of the
diff
erent speed ratings currently
being used for passenger vehicle
tires. The speed rating is part of the
tire size designation on the sidewall
of the tire. This symbol corresponds
to that tire’s designed maximum safe
operating speed.
Speed Rating Symbol Maximum Speed
S 112 mph (180 km/h) T
118 mph (190 km/h)
H 130 mph (210 km/h) V 149 mph (240 km/h)
W 168 mph (270 km/h) Y 186 mph (300 km/h)
à Z : For tires above 149mph (240 km/h),
tire manufacturers sometimes use the
code “ZR”
3. Checking tire life (TIN : Tire
Identification Number)
Any tires that are over six years old,
based on the manufacturing date,
(including the spare tire) should be
replaced by new ones. You can find
the manufacturing date on the tire
sidewall (possibly on the inside of
the wheel), displaying the DOT Code.
The DOT Code is a series of numbers
on a tire consisting of numbers and
English letters. The manufacturing
date is designated by the last four
digits (characters) of the DOT code. DOT : XXXX XXXX OOOO
The front part of the DOT shows a
plant code number, tire size and
tread pattern and the last four
numbers indicate week and year
manufactured.
For example:
DOT XXXX XXXX 1522 represents that
the tire was produced in the 15th
week of 2022.
4. Tire ply composition and material
The number of layers or plies of
rubber-coated fabric in the tire. Tire
manufacturers also must indicate the
materials in the tire, which include
steel, nylon, polyester, and others.
The letter “R” means radial ply
construction; the letter “D“ means
diagonal or bias ply construction;
and the letter “B” means belted-bias
ply construction.
5. Maximum permissible inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount
of air pressure that should be put in
the tire. Do not exceed the maximum
permissible inflation pressure. Refer
to the Tire and Loading Information
label for recommended inflation
pressure.
6. Maximum load rating
This number indicates the maximum
load in kilograms and pounds that
can be carried by the tire. When
replacing the tires on the vehicle,
always use a tire that has the same
load rating as the factory installed
tire.
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09
9-41
7. Uniform tire quality grading
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width.
For example:
TREADWEAR 200
TRACTION AA
TEMPERATURE A
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a
compar
ative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one-and-a-half times (1½) as
well on the government course as a
tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions
of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
These grades are molded on the
sidewalls of passenger vehicle tires.
The tires available as standard or
optional equipment on your vehicle
may vary with respect to grade. Traction - AA, A, B C
The traction grades, from highest
t
o lowest, are AA, A, B and C. Those
grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight ahead
braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Temperature - A, B C
The temperature grades are A (the
highes
t), 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 specified indoor
laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can
lead to sudden tire failure. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required
by law.
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Maintenance9-42
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation,
over-inflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination,
can cause heat build-up and
possible sudden tire failure. This
may cause loss of vehicle control
resulting in an accident.
Tire Terminology and Definitions
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire
pressing outward on the tire. Air
pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory weight
This means the combined weight
of optional accessories. Some
examples of optional accessories
are automatic transmission, power
seats, and air conditioning.
Aspect ratio
The relationship of a tire’s height to
its width.
Belt
A rubber coated layer of cords that
is located between the plies and the
tread. Cords may be made from steel
or other reinforcing materials.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires
wrapped by steel cords that hold the
tire onto the rim. Bias ply tire
A pneumatic tire in which the plies are
laid at alternate angles less than 90
degrees to the centerline of the tread.
Cold tire pressure
The amount of air pressure in a tire,
measured in pounds per square inch
(psi) or kilopascals (kPa) before a tire
has built up heat from driving.
Curb weight
This means the weight of a motor
vehicle with standard and optional
equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil and coolant, but
without passengers and cargo.
DOT markings
A code molded into the sidewall
of a tire signifying that the tire
is in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation motor
vehicle safety standards. The DOT
code includes the Tire Identification
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric
designator which can also identify
the tire manufacturer, production
plant, brand and date of production.
GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
GAWR FRT
Gross Axle Weight Rating for the
Front Axle.
GAWR RR
Gross Axle Weight Rating for the
Rear axle.
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09
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Intended outboard sidewall
The side of an asymmetrical tire,
that must always face outward when
mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure.
Light Truck (LT) tire
A tire designated by its manufacturer
as primarily intended for use on
lightweight trucks or multipurpose
passenger vehicles.
Load ratings
The maximum load that a tire is rated
to carry for a given inflation pressure.
Load index
An assigned number ranging from 1
to 279 that corresponds to the load
carrying capacity of a tire.
Maximum inflation pressure
The maximum air pressure to which
a cold tire may be inflated. The
maximum air pressure is molded
onto the sidewall.
Maximum load rating
The load rating for a tire at the
maximum permissible inflation
pressure for that tire.Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight; accessory
weight; vehicle capacity weight; and
production options weight.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants a vehicle
is designed to seat multiplied by 150
pounds (68 kg).
Occupant distribution
Designated seating positions.
Outward facing sidewall
An asymmetrical tire has a particular
side that faces outward when
mounted on a vehicle. The outward
facing sidewall bears white lettering
or bears manufacturer, brand, and/or
model name molding that is higher
or deeper than the same moldings
on the inner facing sidewall.
Passenger (P-Metric) tire
A tire used on passenger cars
and some light duty trucks and
multipurpose vehicles.
Ply
A layer of rubber-coated parallel
cords.
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Maintenance9-44
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.
Pneumatic options weight
The combined weight of installed
regular production options weighing
over 5 lb. (2.3 kg) in excess of the
standard items which they replace,
not previously considered in
curb weight or accessory weight,
including heavy duty breaks, ride
levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.
Recommended inflation pressure
Vehicle manufacturer’s
recommended tire inflation pressure
as shown on the tire placard.
Radial ply tire
A pneumatic tire in which the ply
cords that extend to the beads are
laid at 90 degrees to the centerline
of the tread.
Rim
A metal support for a tire and upon
which the tire beads are seated.
Sidewall
The portion of a tire between the
tread and the bead.
Speed rating
An alphanumeric code assigned to a
tire indicating the maximum speed
at which a tire can operate. Traction
The friction between the tire and
the road surface. The amount of grip
provided.
Tread
The portion of a tire that comes into
contact with the road.
Treadwear indicators
Narrow bands, sometimes called
“wear bars”, that show across the
tread of a tire when only 1/16 inch of
tread remains.
UTQGS
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards is a tire information
system that provides consumers
with ratings for a tire’s traction,
temperature and treadwear.
Ratings are determined by tire
manufacturers using government
testing procedures. The ratings are
molded into the sidewall of the tire.
Vehicle capacity weight
The number of designated seating
positions multiplied by 150 lbs. (68
kg) plus the rated cargo and luggage
load.
Vehicle maximum load on the tire
Load on an individual tire due to curb
and accessory weight plus maximum
occupant and cargo weight.
Vehicle normal load on the tire
Load on an individual tire that is
determined by distributing to each
axle its share of the curb weight,
accessory weight, and normal
occupant weight and dividing by 2.
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09
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Vehicle placard
A label permanently attached
to a vehicle showing the
original equipment tire size and
recommended inflation pressure.
All Season Tires
Genesis Branded Vehicle specifies
all season tires on some models to
provide good performance for use
all year round, including snowy and
icy road conditions. All season tires
are identified by ALL SEASON and/
or M+S (Mud and Snow) on the tire
sidewall. Snow tires have better
snow traction than all season tires
and may be more appropriate in
some areas.
Summer Tires
Genesis Branded Vehicle specifies
summer tires on some models to
provide superior performance on dry
roads. Summer tire performance is
substantially reduced in snow and
ice. Summer tires do not have the
tire traction rating M+S (Mud and
Snow) on the tire side wall. If you
plan to operate your vehicle in snowy
or icy conditions, Genesis Branded
Vehicle recommends the use of
snow tires or all season tires on all
four wheels.
Snow Tires
If you equip your car with snow
tires, they should be the same size
and have the same load capacity as
the original tires. Snow tires should
be installed on all four wheels;
otherwise, poor handling may result.
Snow tires should carry 4 psi (28 kPa)
more air pressure than the pressure
recommended for the standard
tires on the tire label on the driver’s
side of the center pillar, or up to the
maximum pressure shown on the tire
sidewall, whichever is less. Do not
drive faster than 75 mph (120 km/h)
when your vehicle is equipped with
snow tires.
Radial-Ply Tires
Radial-ply tires provide improved
tread life, road hazard resistance
and smoother high speed ride. The
radial-ply tires used on this vehicle
are of belted construction, and are
selected to complement the ride
and handling characteristics of
your vehicle. Radial-ply tires have
the same load carrying capacity,
as bias-ply or bias belted tires of
the same size, and use the same
recommended inflation pressure.
Mixing of radial-ply tires with
bias-ply or bias belted tires is not
recommended. Any combinations of
radial-ply and bias-ply or bias belted
tires when used on the same vehicle
will seriously deteriorate vehicle
handling. The best rule to follow
is: Identical pairs of radial-ply tires
should always be used as a set for
the front tires and a set for the rear
tires.
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Maintenance9-46
Longer wearing tires can be more
susceptible to irregular tread wear.
It is very important to follow the tire
rotation interval in this chapter to
achieve the tread life potential of
these tires. Cuts and punctures in
radial-ply tires are repairable only in
the tread area, because of sidewall
flexing. Consult your tire dealer for
radial-ply tire repairs.
WARNING
Do not mix bias ply and radial ply
tires under any circumstances.
This may cause unusual handling
characteristics that may cause loss
of vehicle control resulting in an
accident.
Low Aspect Ratio Tires
The aspect ratio is lower than 50 on
low aspect ratio tires.
Because low aspect ratio tires are
optimized for handling and braking,
their sidewall is a little stiffer than a
standard tire. Also, low aspect ratio
tires tend to be wider so that they
consequently have a greater contact
patch with the road surface. In some
instances, they may generate more
road noise compared with standard
tires.
CAUTION
The side wall of a low aspect ratio
tire is shorter than the normal one.
Thus, the low-aspect wheel and
tire are easily damaged. Follow the
below instructions.
[ When driving on a rough road or
driving off a road, be careful not
to damage the tires and wheels.
After driving, inspect the tires
and wheels.
[ When passing over a pothole,
speed bump, manhole, or curb
stone, drive the vehicle slowly so
as not to damage the tires and
wheels.
[ When there is an impact on a tire,
inspect the tire condition. Or,
contact an authorized retailer of
Genesis Branded products.
[ Inspect the tire condition and
pressure every 1,800 miles (3,000
km) to prevent tire damage.
[ It is difficult to recognize a tire
damage only with your eyes.
When there is a slight hint of a
tire damage, check and replace
the tire to prevent the damage
caused by air leakage.
[ When a tire is damaged while
driving on a rough road, off a
road, or over obstacles, such as a
pothole, manhole, or curb stone,
your warranty does not cover the
damage.
[ The tire information is specified
on the tire side wall.