Decoding Your Tires: Understanding Sidewall Markings

“Your Dongfeng truck is running great! The tires still look brand new. What kind are they?” Mr. Tu, owner of a construction material shop on Nguyen Trai Street, chuckled: “Choosing tires is a science! You have to carefully examine the sidewall markings. You can’t just install any tire.” So, what’s the secret behind these markings? Let Xetaihanoi.edu.vn decode them for you!

Tire Sidewall Markings: Your Vehicle’s Secret Language

Tire sidewall markings are more than just a series of numbers and letters; they’re your vehicle’s secret language, providing crucial information about its “shoes.” Understanding these markings allows you to:

• Choose the right tires for your vehicle, ensuring safety and optimal performance.
• Understand load capacity and tire pressure limits, preventing dangerous overloads and blowouts, especially for heavy-duty trucks.
• Extend tire lifespan and save on replacement and maintenance costs.

Mr. Nguyen Van A, a technical expert at Hyundai Truck, shared: “Many vehicle incidents occur due to drivers not understanding tire markings. This poses significant risks, especially for trucks frequently traveling long distances.”

Types of Tire Sidewall Markings

1. Basic Information:

• Tire Size: Represented by a series of numbers like 195/65R15, where:

  • 195: Tire width (mm).
  • 65: Aspect ratio (height to width percentage).
  • R: Tire construction (Radial).
  • 15: Wheel diameter (inches).

• Load Index: A numerical code indicating the maximum weight a tire can carry. For example, an index of 91 corresponds to a load of 615kg/tire.

• Speed Rating: Represents the maximum permissible speed for the tire, indicated by a letter (e.g., H – 210km/h).

• Tire Construction: Indicates the arrangement of steel belts within the tire. The most common is Radial (R) – longitudinal steel belts providing durability and grip.

• Maximum Tire Pressure: Indicated in PSI or kPa, representing the maximum pressure that can be inflated into the tire.

2. Additional Information:

Tires also feature additional markings such as:

• Manufacturer: Bridgestone, Michelin, Goodyear, etc.
• DOT Code: Provides information about the manufacturing location, week, and year of the tire.
• Tread Pattern: Tread patterns for wet, dry, or snowy conditions.
• Safety Standards: UNECE, FMVSS, etc.

Tire sidewall markings

Tire Load Index and Speed Rating Chart

For easy reference, Xetaihanoi.edu.vn provides a basic tire load index and speed rating chart:

Note: This is a reference chart only. Always refer to the markings on your tires and the vehicle owner’s manual for the most accurate information.