Glossary of Tire Terminology
• Tire label: A label showing the OE
(Original Equipment) tire sizes,
recommended inflation pressure
and the maximum weight the
vehicle can carry.
• Tire Identification 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. Also referred
to as DOT code.
• Inflation pressure: A measure of
the amount of air in a tire.
• Standard load: A class of
P-metric or Metric tires designed
to carry a maximum load at 35 psi
[37 psi (2.5 bar) for Metric tires].
Increasing the inflation pressure
beyond this pressure will not
increase the tire’s load carrying
capability.
• Extra load: A class of P-metric or
Metric tires designed to carry a
heavier maximum load at 41 psi
[43 psi (2.9 bar) for Metric tires].
Increasing the inflation pressure
beyond this pressure will not
increase the tire’s load carrying
capability.
• kPa: Kilopascal, a metric unit of
air pressure.
• PSI: Pounds per square inch, a
standard unit of air pressure.
• Cold tire pressure: The tire
pressure when the vehicle has
been stationary and out of direct
sunlight for an hour or more and
prior to the vehicle being driven for
1 mile (1.6 km).
• Recommended inflation
pressure: The cold inflation
pressure found on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label
(affixed to either the door hinge
pillar, door-latch post, or the door
edge that meets the door-latch
post, next to the driver's seating
position), or Tire Label located on
the B-Pillar or the edge of the
driver’s door.
• B-pillar: The structural member
at the side of the vehicle behind
the front door
• Bead area of the tire: Area of the
tire next to the rim.
• Sidewall of the tire: Area
between the bead area and the
tread.
• Tread area of the tire: Area of the
perimeter of the tire that contacts
the road when mounted on the
vehicle.
• Rim: The metal support (wheel)
for a tire or a tire and tube
assembly upon which the tire
beads are seated.
306
Wheels and Tires
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