Think city - Tire Markings

5. Service and Maintenance
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Tire Markings
Tire Markings
NOTE: For more information regarding tire care, maintenance and safety practices, refer to the Original Equipment Passenger
and Light Truck Tire Owner’s Manual and Limited Warranty booklet provided along with this manual.
ITEM DESCRIPTION
1. Tire width (165) This three-digit number gives the width in
millimeters of the tire from sidewall edge to
sidewall edge.
2. Aspect ratio (65) This two-digit number, known as the aspect ratio,
gives the tire’s ratio of height to width.
3. Tire construction
(R)
“R” denotes the tire has radial structure.
4. Wheel diameter
(14)
This two-digit number is the diameter of the wheel
rim in inches.
5. Load index (99) This number is the tire’s load index. It is a
measurement of how much weight each tire can
support. You may not find this information on all
tires.
6. Speed rating (T) The speed rating, when stated, denotes the
maximum speed at which the tire can be used.
These ratings are listed in the Original Equipment
Passenger and Light Truck Tire Owner’s Manual
and Limited Warranty booklet provided with this
manual.
ITEM DESCRIPTION
7. DOT Tire
Identification
Number (TIN)
This begins with the letters DOT and indicates
that the tire meets all federal standards. Refer to
Original Equipment Passenger and Light Truck Tire
Owner’s Manual and Limited Warranty booklet for
more information.
8. 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.
9. Tread wear
grade
Tread wear grade: This number indicates the tire’s
wear rate. The higher the tread wear number is,
the longer it should take for the tread to wear
down. A tire rated at 400 for example, will last
twice as long as a tire rated at 200.
10. Traction grade This letter indicates a tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement. A higher graded tire should allow you
to stop your vehicle on wet roads in a shorter
distance than a tire with a lower grade. Traction
is graded from highest to lowest as AA, A, B and C.
11. Temperature
grade
Heat-resistance grading. The tire’s resistance
to heat is grade A, B or C, with A indicating the
greatest resistance to heat. This grading is
provided for a correctly inflated tire, which is
being used within its speed and loading limits.
12. Tire ply
composition and
materials
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.