Tyre Sidewall Explained
What does the writing on the side of my tyre mean?
At first glance the lettering on the side of the tyre may look complicated.
It is not meant to be that way. The lettering explains the exact specification of the tyre you have.
In short it tells you anything that you may need to know about your tyre.
| Sidewall Marking |
Explanation |
|
205 |
Width of the tyre in millimetres. |
|
50 |
Height of the tyre sidewall as a percentage of the width. In this case 50% of 205mm. Also know as the aspect ratio. |
|
R |
Radial Construction. |
|
15 |
The diameter of the tyre's inner rim in inches. |
|
91 |
Load Capacity of Tyre (See Load Table below). In this case its 615kg. |
| V |
Speed Symbol. Indicates the max. speed for the tyre at full load. In this case 149.1mph. |
| E4 |
ECE type approval mark, which demonstrates the tyre has been tested as high quality by the European Regulatory Authorities.
All tyres sold by Central Tyre Service carry this mark. | |
What is a Speed Rating?
This is indicated by the speed symbol on the tyre sidewall, and represents the maximum speed that this tyre can sustain at full load.
|
Speed Symbol |
Speed (Kph) |
Speed (Mph) |
|
Car |
|
S |
180 |
111.8 |
|
T |
190 |
118.1 |
|
U |
200 |
124.3 |
|
H |
<210 |
130.5 |
|
V |
240 |
149.1 |
|
W |
270 |
167.8 |
|
Y |
300 |
186.4 |
|
VR |
210+ |
130+ |
|
ZR |
240+ |
150+ | | |
| Speed Symbol |
Speed (Kph) |
Speed (Mph) |
|
Winter/Reinforced |
|
Q |
160 |
99.4 |
|
R |
150 |
105.6 |
|
Van |
|
N |
140 |
87.0 |
|
P |
150 |
93.2 |
|
Truck |
|
J |
100 |
62.1 |
|
K |
110 |
68.4 |
|
L |
120 |
74.6 |
|
M |
130 |
80.8 | | |
What is a Tyre Load Rating?
The Load capacity of a tyre determines what payload each tyre can carry.
It is vital that you check with your manufacturer what capacity should be put on your car.
Again in cases insurance can be void if you select the incorrect tyres.
The following table shows what Index specification can carry.
|
Load index |
Load in kg |
|
62 |
265 |
|
63 |
272 |
|
64 |
280 |
|
65 |
290 |
|
66 |
300 |
|
67 |
307 |
|
68 |
315 |
|
69 |
325 |
|
70 |
335 |
|
71 |
345 |
|
72 |
335 |
|
73 |
365 |
|
74 |
375 |
|
75 |
387 |
|
76 |
400 |
|
77 |
412 |
|
78 |
425 |
|
79 |
437 |
|
80 |
450 |
|
81 |
462 |
|
82 |
475 |
|
83 |
487 | | |
|
Load index |
Load in kg |
|
84 |
500 |
|
85 |
515 |
|
86 |
530 |
|
87 |
545 |
|
88 |
560 |
|
89 |
580 |
|
90 |
600 |
|
91 |
615 |
|
92 |
630 |
|
93 |
650 |
|
94 |
670 |
|
95 |
690 |
|
96 |
710 |
|
97 |
730 |
|
98 |
750 |
|
99 |
775 |
|
100 |
800 |
|
101 |
825 |
|
102 |
850 |
|
103 |
875 |
|
104 |
900 |
|
105 |
925 | | |
|
Load index |
Load in kg |
|
106 |
950 |
|
107 |
975 |
|
108 |
1000 |
|
109 |
1030 |
|
110 |
1060 |
|
111 |
1090 |
|
112 |
1120 |
|
113 |
1150 |
|
114 |
1180 |
|
115 |
1215 |
|
116 |
1250 |
|
117 |
1285 |
|
118 |
1320 |
|
119 |
1360 |
|
120 |
1400 |
|
121 |
1450 |
|
122 |
1500 |
|
123 |
1550 |
|
124 |
1600 |
|
125 |
1650 |
|
126 |
1700 | | |
How do I know if my Tyres are Trading Standards Approved?
Check your tyre for an "E" Number. E.g. E4 0213760.
This is an ECE type approval mark and number that shows if the tyre has been tested and passed as high quality by the European regulatory authorities.
All tyres sold by Central Tyre Service carry this mark and are therefore of the highest quality.
