Tire code

Automobile tires are described by an alphanumeric tire code (in American English and Canadian English) or tyre code (in British English, Australian English and others), which is generally molded (or moulded) into the sidewall of the tire. This code specifies the dimensions of the tire, and some of its key limitations, such as load-bearing ability, and maximum speed. Sometimes the inner sidewall contains information not included on the outer sidewall, and vice versa.

The code has grown in complexity over the years, as is evident from the mix of S.I. and English units, and ad-hoc extensions to lettering and numbering schemes. New automotive tires frequently have ratings for traction, treadwear, and temperature resistance (collectively known as The Uniform Tire Quality Grade (UTQG) ratings).

Most tires sizes are given using the ISO Metric sizing system. However, some pickup trucks and SUVs use the Light Truck Numeric or Light Truck High Flotation system.

National technical standards regulations

The European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation (ETRTO) and the Tire and Rim Association (TRA) are two organizations that influence national tire standards. The objective of the ETRTO include aligning national tire and rim standards in Europe.^[1] The Tire and Rim Association, formerly known as The Tire and Rim Association of America, Inc., is an American trade organization which standardizes technical standards.^[2] In the United States, the Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, a component of the Department of Transportation, is one of the agencies tasked to enforce the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS).^[3] Canada has published tire regulations, such as the Motor Vehicle Tire Safety Regulations SOR 95-148.^[4]

Explanation of tire codes

Tire identification diagram

The ISO Metric tire code consists of a string of letters and numbers, as follows:

• An optional letter (or letters) indicating the intended use or vehicle class for the tire:
  • P: Passenger Car
  • LT: Light Truck
  • ST: Special Trailer
  • T: Temporary (restricted usage for "space-saver" spare wheels)

P indicates that the tire is engineered to TRA standards, and absence of a letter indicates that the tire is engineered to ETRTO standards. In practice, the standards of the two organizations have evolved together and are fairly interchangeable, but not fully, since the Load Index will be different for the same size tire.^[5]

• 3-digit number: The "nominal section width" of the tire in millimeters; the widest point from both outer edges (side wall to side wall). The tire surface that touches the road usually has smaller width.
• /: Slash character for character separation.
• 2- or 3-digit number: The "aspect ratio" of the sidewall height as a percentage of the nominal section width of the tire. If the information is omitted, it is assumed to be 82% (if written, it should be like xxx/82). If the number is larger than 200, then this is the diameter of the entire tire in millimeters.
• An optional letter indicating construction of the fabric carcass of the tire:
  • B: bias belt (where the sidewalls are the same material as the tread, leading to a rigid ride)
  • D: diagonal
  • R: radial
  • if omitted, then it is a cross-ply tire
• 1- or 2-digit number: Diameter in inches of the wheel that the tires are designed to fit. There is the rare exception of metric-diameter tires, such as the use of the 390 size, which in this case would indicate a wheel of 390 mm in diameter. Few tires are made to this size currently. The number may be longer where a half-inch size is used, for example many heavy transport trucks now use 22.5-inch tires.^[6][7]
• 2- or 3-digit number: Load index; see table below. Some light-truck tires are approved for "dual use", that is they can be run in pairs next to each other. If so, separate load indexes will be specified for single and dual usage. In the example shown in the light-truck tire illustration, the tire has a load index of 114 if used as a single tire, and a load index of 111 if used in a dual pair.^[8] Tires without this designation are unsafe for dual usage.
• 1- or 2-digit/letter combo: Speed rating; see table below
• Additional marks: See subheading below.

Flotation sizes

Some light-truck tires follow the Light Truck Numeric or Light Truck High Flotation systems, indicated by the letters LT at the end instead of the beginning of the sequence, as follows:

• The tire diameter is given for High Flotation tires and omitted from Numeric tires.
  • 2-digit number: The diameter of the tire in inches.
  • x: Separator character.
• 3- or 4-digit number: The section width (cross-section) of the tire in inches. If the tire diameter is not given, section widths ending in zero (e.g., 7.00 or 10.50) indicate the aspect ratio of 92%, while section widths not ending in zero (e.g., 7.05 or 10.55) indicate the aspect ratio of 82%. These aspect ratios often vary from today's tire manufacturer specification.
• Construction of the fabric of the tire:
  • B: bias belt
  • D: diagonal
  • R: radial
• 2-digit number: Diameter in inches of the wheel rim that this tire is designed to fit.
• LT: Designates that this is a Light Truck tire.
• Load index and speed rating are sometimes not mandatory for flotation sizes, but must be for any tire approved for street and highway use.
  • 2- or 3-digit number: Load index; see table below.
  • 1- or 2-digit/letter combination: Speed rating; see table below.
• Additional marks: See subheading below.

As an example, if a tire size has two sets of numbers (6-12, 5.00-15, 11.2-24), then the first number (5.00-15) is the approximate width in inches, and the second number (5.00-15) is the rim diameter in inches.

If a tire size has three sets of numbers (15x6.00-6, 26x12.00-12, 31x15.50-15), then the first number (26x12.00-12) is the approximate height in inches, the second number (26x12.00-12) is the approximate width in inches, and the third number (26x12.00-12) is the rim diameter in inches.^[9]

Load range

The Load Range Letter on light-truck tires indicates their ply rating.^[10]

Load index

The load index on a passenger-car tire is a numerical code stipulating the maximum load (mass, or weight) each tire can carry. For Load Range "B" tires, ETRTO (ISO-Metric) standards specify the load index rating at an inflation pressure of 36 psi (250 kPa) (table below), while P-Metric standards measure the load capacity at an inflation pressure of 35 psi (240 kPa). The two standards vary slightly with the capacity required for different inflation pressures.^[11]

While all ETRTO tires of the same load index will have the same maximum load, P-Metric tires with the same load index may have different load capacities depending on the tire size. The TRA Inflation Tables must always be consulted when comparing the load capacity of P-Metric tires; the Load Index alone is not sufficient. An example: a P205/50R15 Standard Load tire has a load index of 84 and a load rating of 505 kg (1,113 lb) at 35 psi (240 kPa). A P215/50R13 with the same load index of 84 only has a load rating of 495 kg (1,091 lb), also at 35 psi (240 kPa).^[12]

ETRTO produces a Standards Manual (current edition 2010), which contains a number of specifications and tables. The load index table (2010 page G7) lists the Load index from 0–45 kg (0–99 lb) to 279–136,000 kg (615–299,829 lb) (although it appears to relate to an inflation pressure of 42 psi (290 kPa) it doesn't specify, but see Load Inflation Table).^[13] The Load Inflation Table references the load index to inflation pressures between 22 psi (150 kPa) and 42 psi (290 kPa) at 1 psi (6.9 kPa) intervals which is too large to be included here.^[12]

Some of the older letter-code load-range ratings for Light Truck Tires can be found in a chart^[14] published by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. For example:

Speed rating

The speed symbol is made up of a single letter or an A with one number. It indicates the maximum speed at which the tire can carry a load corresponding to its Load Index.^[13]

Prior to 1991, tire speed ratings were shown inside the tire size, before the "R" construction type. The available codes were SR (112 mph, 180 km/h), HR (130 mph, 210 km/h), VR (in excess of 130 mph, 210 km/h).

Tires with a speed rating higher than 186 mph (300 km/h) are indicated by a Y in parentheses. The load rating is often included within the parentheses, e.g. (86Y).

In many countries, the law requires that tires must be specified, and fitted, to exceed the maximum speed of the vehicle they are mounted on, with regards to their speed rating code (except for "temporary-use" spare tires). In some parts of the European Union, tires that are not fit for a car's or motorcycle's particular maximum speed are illegal to mount. The sole exception are M+S tires, where a warning sticker stating the allowed maximum speed must be placed within clear sight of the driver inside the vehicle. Some manufacturers will install a speed governor if a vehicle is ordered with tires rated below the vehicle's maximum speed. In some parts of the European Union, e.g. Germany, it is allowed to mount tires with a lower speed rating code if the car manufacturer specifies tires with a very high speed rating in the registration documents and the vehicle will not reach this speed based on insufficient power.^[15] In this case it is possible to calculate the appropriate speed rating with a formula.^[16]

Metric to Imperial tire conversion chart

R15

215/75/15 27.7"x 8.5"

225/70/15 27.4"x 8.9"

225/75/15 28.3"x 8.9"

235/75/15 29.0"x 9.3"

245/75/15 29.5"x 9.6"

255/75/15 30.0"x 10.0"

265/70/17 30.6"x 10.

205/85/16 29.7"x 8.1"

215/75/16 28.7"x 8.5"

225/70/16 28.4"x 8.9"

225/75/16 29.2"x 8.9"

235/70/16 29.0"x 9.3"

235/85/16 31.7"x 9.3"

245/70/16 29.5"x 9.6"

245/75/16 30.5"x 9.6"

Wheel/Rim widths

To determine the allowable range of rim widths for a specific tire size, the TRA Yearbook or the manufacturer's guide should always be consulted for that specific tire—there is no rule of thumb.^[17] Running a tire on a rim size or type not approved by its manufacturer can result in tire failure and a loss of vehicle control.

Additional marks

There are numerous other markings on a typical tire, these may include:

• M+S, or M&S: Mud and Snow; A tire that meets the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) all-season tire definition.^[18] These are commonly found on all-season tires, with self-cleaning tread and average traction in muddy or very snowy conditions, and for low temperatures. Spike tires have an additional letter, "E" (M+SE).
• M+T, or M&T: Mud and Terrain; Designed to perform in mud or on other terrain that requires additional traction such as on rocks, in deeper snow, and in loose gravel.
• Mountain Snowflake Pictograph: Winter passenger and light truck tires that meet the severe snow service requirements of Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and Rubber Association of Canada (RAC).^[18]
• BSW: Black SideWall
• WSW: White SideWall
• OWL: Outline White Lettering
• ORWL: Outlined Raised White Lettering
• RWL: Raised White Lettering
• VSB: Vertical Serrated Band
• BSL: Black Serrated Letters
• E4: Tire approved according ECE-regulations, the number indicating the country of approval.
• 030908: Approval number of the tire
• DOT code: All tires for use in the USA have the DOT code, as required by the Department of Transportation (DOT). It specifies the company, factory, mold, batch, and date of production (two digits for week of the year plus two digits for year; or two digits for week of the year plus one digit for year for tires made prior to 2000). Although not law, some tire manufacturers do not
  

  Tire manufactured in 10th week of 2001
  suggest using a "new" tire that has been sitting on the shelf for more than six years (Ford Motor Company) or 10 years (Cooper Tire citing a tire association recommendation).^[19] JATMA, the Japanese Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association recommends that all tires be inspected at five years, and all tires that were manufactured more than ten years previous be replaced.^[20]
• TL: Tubeless
• TT: Tube-type, tire must be used with an inner-tube
• Made in ...: Country of production
• C: Commercial; tires for light trucks (Example: 185 R14 C)
• B: Bias belted; tires for motorcycles (Example: 150/70 B 17 69 H)—diagonal construction with belt added under the tread
• SFI, or Inner: Side Facing Inwards; inside of asymmetric tires
• SFO, or Outer: Side Facing Outwards; outside of asymmetric tires
• TWI: Tread Wear Indicator; a device, such as a triangle or a small Michelin Man icon, located where the tread meets the sidewall. It indicates the location of the raised wear bars in between the tire tread channels.
• LL: Light Load; tires for light usage and loads
• SL: Standard Load; tire for normal usage and loads
• XL: eXtra Load; a tire that allows a higher inflation pressure than a Standard Load tire, which increases the tire's maximum load
• RF: Reinforced—for Euro-metric tires, the term 'reinforced' means the same thing as 'Extra Load'^[18]
• RFT: Run-Flat Tire; Tires designed for vehicles without spare tires. Reinforced sidewalls allow the tire to be driven "flat" for a distance specified by the manufacturer (usually 50 miles).
• ZP: Zero-Pressure; Michelin's branding for their run-flat lines.
• Arrows: Some tread designs are "directional", and designed to perform better when driven in a specific direction. Such tires will have an arrow showing which way the tire should rotate when the vehicle is moving forwards.
• MO: Original tires for Mercedes-Benz
• MOE: Mercedes-Benz Original Extended^[18]
• N-x: Original tires for Porsche where "x" is a "0" for the first approved in that size, "1" the second, ...^[18]
• Star: Original tires for BMW
• RSC in a Circle: BMW Runflat System Component^[18]
• TPC: General Motors OE Fitments^[18]
• AMx: Aston Martin OE Fitments^[18]
• "100T": Commonly appears after tire size. Meaning: Standard Load Inflation Table (100) & Speed Rating (T)
• "J": Jaguar Original Manufacturer fitment
• To facilitate proper balancing, most tire manufacturers also mark red circles (uniformity) and/or yellow dots (weight) on the sidewalls of their tires to enable the best possible match-mounting of the tire/wheel assembly.^[21]

Tire geometry

When referring to the purely geometrical data, a shortened form of the full notation is used. To take a common example, 195/55R16 would mean that the nominal width of the tire is approximately 195 mm at the widest point, the height of the side-wall of the tire is 55% of the width (107 mm in this example) and that the tire fits 16-inch-diameter (410 mm) wheels. The code gives a direct calculation of the theoretical diameter of the tire. For a size shown as "T/A_W" use (2×T×A/100) + (W×25.4) for a result in millimeters or (T*A/1270)+ W for a result in inches. Take the common example used above; (2×195×55/100)+(16×25.4) = 621 mm or (195×55/1270)+16 = 24.44 inches.

Less commonly used in the USA and Europe (but often in Japan for example) is a notation that indicates the full tire diameter instead of the aspect ratio of the side-wall height. To take the same example, a 16-inch wheel would have a diameter of 406 mm. Adding twice the tire height (2×107 mm) makes a total 620 mm tire diameter. Hence, a 195/55R16 tire might alternatively be labelled 195/620R16.

Whilst this is theoretically ambiguous, in practice these two notations may easily be distinguished because the height of the side-wall of an automotive tire is typically much less than the width. Hence when the height is expressed as a percentage of the width, it is almost always less than 100% (and certainly less than 200%). Conversely, vehicle tire diameters are always larger than 200 mm. Therefore, if the second number is more than 200, then it is almost certain the Japanese notation is being used—if it is less than 200 then the U.S./European notation is being used.

The diameters referred to above are the theoretical diameter of the tire. The actual diameter of a specific tire size can only be found in the TRA Yearbook or the manufacturer's data books.^[22] Note that the tire's cross-section and diameter are always specified when measured on a wheel of a specified width; different widths will yield different tire dimensions.

Examples

The tires on a BMW Mini Cooper might be labeled: P195/55R16 85H

• P — these tires are for a passenger vehicle. However 'P' denotes P metric size load and speed rating changes for P tire & non-P tires.
• 195 — the nominal width of the tire is approximately 195 mm at the widest point
• 55 — indicates that the height of the sidewall of the tire is 55% of the width (107 mm)
• R — this is a radial tire
• 16 — this tire fits 16 in (410 mm) wheels
• 85 — the load index, a maximum of 515 kg (1,135 lb) per tire in this case
• H — the speed index, this means the maximum permitted speed, here 210 km/h (130 mph).

The tires on a Hummer H1 might be labeled: 37X12.5R17LT

• 37 - the tire is 37 in (940 mm) in diameter
• 12.5 - the tire has a cross section of 12.5 in (320 mm)
• R - this is a radial tire
• 17 - this tire fits 17 in (430 mm) wheels
• LT - this is a light truck tire.

Historical Tire Codes

North America

Prior to 1964, tires were all made to a 90% aspect ratio. Tire size was specified as the tire width in inches and the diameter in inches - for example 6.50-15.^[23]

From 1965 to the early 70's, tires were made to an 80% aspect ratio. Tire size was again specified by width in inches and diameter in inches. To differentiate from the earlier 90-ratio tires, the decimal point is usually omitted from the width - for example 685-15 for a tire 6.85 inches wide.

Starting in 1972 tires were specified by load rating, using a letter code. In practice a higher load rating tire was also a wider tire. In this system a tire had a letter, optionally followed by "R" for radial tires, followed by the aspect ratio, a dash and the diameter - C78-15 or CR78-15 for bias and radial respectively. Each diameter of wheel had a separate sequence of load ratings, thus a C78-14 and a C78-15 are not the same width. 78% aspect ratio was typical for letter sized tires, although 70% was also common and lower profiles down to 50% were occasionally seen.^[24]

See also

• Bicycle tire
• Motorcycle tires
• Plus sizing
• Speedometer errors induced by variations in tire size.
• Tire manufacturing
• Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
• Wheel sizing

References