2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE tires

Maintenance9-38
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.
OHI078081
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.)
235/60R18 102H
235 - Tire width in millimeters.
60 - Aspect ratio. The tire’s section
height as a percentage of its
width.
R - Tire construction code (Radial).
18 - Rim diameter in inches.
102 - Load Index, a numerical code associated with the maximum
load the tire can carry.
H - Speed Rating Symbol. See the speed rating chart in this section
for additional information.Wheel size designation
Wheels are also marked with
important information 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:
7.5J X 18
7.5 - Rim width in inches.
J - Rim contour designation.
18 -
Rim diameter in inches.

09
9-39
Tire speed ratings
The chart below lists many of the
different 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)
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.

Maintenance9-40
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
comparative 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
to 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
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 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.

Maintenance9-44
All Season Tires
HYUNDAI 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.
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.
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.

09
9-45
CAUTION

[When driving on a rough road or
off road, drive cautiously because
tires and wheels may be damaged.
And after driving, inspect tires and
wheels.

[ When passing over a pothole, speed
bump, manhole, or curb stone, drive
slowly so that the tires and wheels
are not damaged.

[ If the tire is subjected to a severe
impact, have the tire and wheel
inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI
dealer.

[ It is not easy to recognize tire
damage with your own eyes. But
if there is the slightest hint of tire
damage, have the tire checked or
replaced because the tire damage
may cause air leakage from the tire.

[If the tire is damaged by driving
on a rough road, off road,
pothole, manhole, or curb stone,
it will not be covered by the
warranty.
Low aspect ratio tires
(if equipped)
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 and
consequently have a greater contact
patch with the road surface. In some
instances they may generate more
road noise compared with standard
tires.

Maintenance9-46
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,
you can contact an authorized
HYUNDAI dealer.

[ 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.