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SPEED RATINGS
All tyres carry a speed symbol in the form of a letter indicating the maximum speed for which the tyre is intended. The table below shows which speed goes with each letter.
TYRE SPEED SYMBOL TYRE SPEED RATING
S --> 180 km/h or 112 mph
T --> 190 km/h or 118 mph
U --> 200 km/h or 125 mph
H --> 210 km/h or 130 mph
V --> 240 km/h or 149 mph
W(ZR) --> 270 km/h or 168 mph
Y(ZR) --> 300 km/h or 186 mph
ZR --> Above 240 km/h or 149 mph
TYRE SIZES
On the sidewall of a tyre you will find various codes and markings. The list below aims to simplify the coding system and allow you, the user, to understand the valuable information imprinted on the sidewall.
Tyre sizes are made up of a number of different numbers and letters. For example tyre size 225/40 ZR 18 82 ZR is made up of the following information:
• 205 The tyre section width in millimeters
• 45 The aspect ratio in % (the height of the sidewall divided by the tyre's width)
• R Radius
• 15 Rim diameter in inches
• 79 Load Index
• V Speed Rating
TYRE AGE
Tyres carry a three digit age code on the sidewall indicating the month and year of manufacture. For example 1299 means the tyre was manufactured in the 12th month December year 99: 1999.
OTHER MARKINGS
M&S - Identifies Mud and Snow tyres
E-Marks - Tyres for sale in the European Community must carry an E -Mark in accordance with ECE Reg 30 - eg E4 027550
TYRE SAFETY TIPS
1. Do not use tyres with a tread depth of less than 1.6mm. Apart from being illegal, tyres with low levels of tread will slide easily, suffer from extended braking distances and will be more susceptible to rupturing. In wet conditions the vehicle will aquaplane making braking and handling almost impossible.
2. Make sure your air pressures are correct. Low air pressure generates heat which can result in the rubber and cord separating, which in turn leads to the cord becoming cut and puncturing the tyre. Low pressure also results in excessive wear on the edge of the tyre, shortening the tyre's life. Excessive pressure, meanwhile, results in unpredictable handling in addition to which, if the tyre suffers an impact, it's easily ruptured and cut. If you brake hard, the tyre may skid, which reduces tyre life as the centre of the tread becomes worn. Check tyre inflation pressures at least twice a month. Always check pressures when tyres are cool and maintain the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
3. Don't drive with damaged tyres. If you drive with materials such as stone in the tread groove, or with a nail stuck in the tyre, the tyre can become punctured or ruptured. You should change the tyre immediately on discovering any damage to avoid any further damage to the carcass.
4. Treat abnormal tyre wear immediately. To assure normal wear you should check air pressures and alignment and rotate the tyres regularly. In addition you should avoid bad driving habits such as sudden acceleration, braking and cornering.
5. Check the spare tyre. Make sure you regularly check the spare tyre's air pressure, existence/non existence of damage and the depth of remaining groove regularly.
6. Never mount radial tyres on the same axle as non-radial tyres or radial tyres on the front axle when non-radial tyres are mounted on the rear axle. These conditions are likely to cause vehicle instability resulting in a sudden loss of control and serious injury.
7. Check regularly that wheel nuts are securely tightened.
8. Never overload your tyres. The maximum load and inflation pressure of the tyres are moulded into the sidewall. Also, remember; the tyre is capable of carrying the maximum load only if it is inflated to its maximum air pressure.
9. Do not use detergents or chemicals containing petroleum products for cleaning or polishing your tyres.
10. Avoid prolonged use on bad surfaces.
11. Never fit used tyres unless you are sure of their past history. Tyres age even if they have not been used or have only been used occasionally. Cracks in the tread or in the sidewall rubber, sometimes accompanied by deformation of the carcass, are a sure sign of aging. Have your old tyres checked by a tyre specialist so that you can be certain they are still suitable for further use.
12. If you get a puncture, stop as soon as possible and change the tyre. Besides the obvious safety considerations, continuing to drive on an under-inflated tyre can cause structural deterioration. Punctured tyres must always be removed from the wheel to check for secondary damage.
13. If it is necessary and feasible to repair a tyre, it must be carried out by a tyre specialist as soon as possible to avoid any structural deterioration. All tyre repairs must be entrusted to a tyre repair specialist.
All tyres carry a speed symbol in the form of a letter indicating the maximum speed for which the tyre is intended. The table below shows which speed goes with each letter.
TYRE SPEED SYMBOL TYRE SPEED RATING
S --> 180 km/h or 112 mph
T --> 190 km/h or 118 mph
U --> 200 km/h or 125 mph
H --> 210 km/h or 130 mph
V --> 240 km/h or 149 mph
W(ZR) --> 270 km/h or 168 mph
Y(ZR) --> 300 km/h or 186 mph
ZR --> Above 240 km/h or 149 mph
TYRE SIZES
On the sidewall of a tyre you will find various codes and markings. The list below aims to simplify the coding system and allow you, the user, to understand the valuable information imprinted on the sidewall.
Tyre sizes are made up of a number of different numbers and letters. For example tyre size 225/40 ZR 18 82 ZR is made up of the following information:
• 205 The tyre section width in millimeters
• 45 The aspect ratio in % (the height of the sidewall divided by the tyre's width)
• R Radius
• 15 Rim diameter in inches
• 79 Load Index
• V Speed Rating
TYRE AGE
Tyres carry a three digit age code on the sidewall indicating the month and year of manufacture. For example 1299 means the tyre was manufactured in the 12th month December year 99: 1999.
OTHER MARKINGS
M&S - Identifies Mud and Snow tyres
E-Marks - Tyres for sale in the European Community must carry an E -Mark in accordance with ECE Reg 30 - eg E4 027550
TYRE SAFETY TIPS
1. Do not use tyres with a tread depth of less than 1.6mm. Apart from being illegal, tyres with low levels of tread will slide easily, suffer from extended braking distances and will be more susceptible to rupturing. In wet conditions the vehicle will aquaplane making braking and handling almost impossible.
2. Make sure your air pressures are correct. Low air pressure generates heat which can result in the rubber and cord separating, which in turn leads to the cord becoming cut and puncturing the tyre. Low pressure also results in excessive wear on the edge of the tyre, shortening the tyre's life. Excessive pressure, meanwhile, results in unpredictable handling in addition to which, if the tyre suffers an impact, it's easily ruptured and cut. If you brake hard, the tyre may skid, which reduces tyre life as the centre of the tread becomes worn. Check tyre inflation pressures at least twice a month. Always check pressures when tyres are cool and maintain the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
3. Don't drive with damaged tyres. If you drive with materials such as stone in the tread groove, or with a nail stuck in the tyre, the tyre can become punctured or ruptured. You should change the tyre immediately on discovering any damage to avoid any further damage to the carcass.
4. Treat abnormal tyre wear immediately. To assure normal wear you should check air pressures and alignment and rotate the tyres regularly. In addition you should avoid bad driving habits such as sudden acceleration, braking and cornering.
5. Check the spare tyre. Make sure you regularly check the spare tyre's air pressure, existence/non existence of damage and the depth of remaining groove regularly.
6. Never mount radial tyres on the same axle as non-radial tyres or radial tyres on the front axle when non-radial tyres are mounted on the rear axle. These conditions are likely to cause vehicle instability resulting in a sudden loss of control and serious injury.
7. Check regularly that wheel nuts are securely tightened.
8. Never overload your tyres. The maximum load and inflation pressure of the tyres are moulded into the sidewall. Also, remember; the tyre is capable of carrying the maximum load only if it is inflated to its maximum air pressure.
9. Do not use detergents or chemicals containing petroleum products for cleaning or polishing your tyres.
10. Avoid prolonged use on bad surfaces.
11. Never fit used tyres unless you are sure of their past history. Tyres age even if they have not been used or have only been used occasionally. Cracks in the tread or in the sidewall rubber, sometimes accompanied by deformation of the carcass, are a sure sign of aging. Have your old tyres checked by a tyre specialist so that you can be certain they are still suitable for further use.
12. If you get a puncture, stop as soon as possible and change the tyre. Besides the obvious safety considerations, continuing to drive on an under-inflated tyre can cause structural deterioration. Punctured tyres must always be removed from the wheel to check for secondary damage.
13. If it is necessary and feasible to repair a tyre, it must be carried out by a tyre specialist as soon as possible to avoid any structural deterioration. All tyre repairs must be entrusted to a tyre repair specialist.
