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28 July 2023 Tyre Markings Explained
Tyre manufacturers are required by law to mark the properties of their tyres on the sidewall. For many people, however, these are rather cryptic and difficult to interpret. Most people have no problem with the tyre size, but what does the rest mean? The following information should help shed some light on the subject.
What tyre designations are there?
Tyre manufacturers use different standard abbreviations to explain important information about their tyres to dealers and buyers. It is important to know what information is given where and what it means – especially when you are getting ready to buy some new cheap car tyres or maybe even Dunlop tyres.
How are the markings on the tyre structured?
Tyre designations are markings found only on the sidewall of the tyre. There are abbreviations for all the information a dealer or buyer needs to decide whether or not a tyre is suitable for a motor vehicle. As there are many different tyre designations, it is always necessary to look at the tyre markings in detail.
Here we’ll explain tyre markings using the 205/55 R16 tyre as an example. The tyre designation includes the following information:
205: The first digit indicates how wide the tyre is in millimetres. In the example, the tyre is 205 millimetres wide, or 20.5 centimetres.
55: The second digit indicates the height/width ratio in percent. In this case, the height of the tyre (distance between the outer and inner edges) is 55% of the width of the tyre.
R: The third digit indicates the construction of the tyre. R is radial and D is diagonal.
16: The fourth digit of the tyre code indicates the rim diameter. In the example, it is 16 inches, or 40.64 centimetres (1 inch = 2.54 centimetres; 16 × 2.54 = 40.64 centimetres).
94: The fifth digit of the tyre code indicates the load index. In this case, you can drive tyres designed for higher speeds. Only tyres designed for lower speeds must not be used.
V: The sixth digit is the speed index. This is the absolute maximum speed at which the tyres are still fully functional. You can read more about this in our article What is the tyre speed rating for cars and motorcycles?
What is the procedure for fitting tyres?
If you have purchased a new tyre and decide to put it on your car yourself, you’ll need a spider wheel brace. If you don't have the space or time, you can take your car to a garage. They will, of course, remove the old tyre(s). This involves deflating the tyre, removing the valve inserts and then pulling off the old rubber. To mount a new tyre, the rim is clamped in a mounting machine and any remaining balancing weights are removed. The sidewalls of the tyre are lubricated with grease and placed on the rim according to their markings. The tyre is then pulled onto the rim using the mounting lever. This may sound simple, but it requires a high level of concentration from the mechanics as they have to work very precisely.
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