Rubber, steel wire, fabric, and other elements go into making a vehicle tyre. The tread pattern helps to grip the road surface. A tyre may also contain a belt around the inside of the wheel to help distribute the weight of the vehicle evenly. Tyres withstand high speeds, heavy loads, and harsh conditions.
Tyre codes are a mixture of numbers, letters and symbols. Some Cheap Tyres Reading codes are purely numeric while others are alphanumeric. Tyre codes are usually written on the sidewall of tyres.
Automotive tyres use codes to specify sizes and other characteristics. For example, there are different types of tyres with different ratings, such as heavy-duty, light-duty, radial tyres, etc. Those tyres can also have different widths and heights. Some tyres have two sidewalls: an inside wall and an outside wall. Most tyres have an inner side and an outer side. Those can contain many different features. If the tyre has “radial” written on it, it means that the tread pattern is circular, not rectangular. All those numbers and symbols give you information about how big the tyre is, what type of rubber is used, if the rim is steel or aluminium, etc…
How to Read Tyre Size?
The first part of the number represents the width of the tyre. The second part of the number is usually separated by a slash (/), representing the aspect ratio. The aspect ratio is the height of the sidewalls from the rim to the centre line of the tread, expressed as percentages of the tread width. If you take the previous example of the 205mm tyre with an aspect ratio of 70%, then the sidewall is around 102.5mm high. A lower aspect ratio gives a smoother ride but will cause a poorer cornering grip. Conversely, a higher aspect ratio increases traction but causes a harsher ride. To calculate the circumference of your car’s tyre, multiply the width by 2.54. So if you measure your car’s tyre at 205mm, it should have a circumference of 515mm.
Manufacturers often have different placements for their tyre sidewall numbers. However, you will see the same pattern across all tyres. This is because there is a standardisation within the industry. On top of that, there are also guidelines set out by organisations like FIA and FIA technical regulations. These help ensure that if you buy your car from a different manufacturer, you will get the same information on your tyres.
1. Model Name – Most tyre manufacturers have their unique naming system for tyres. This is usually based on the type of tyre, the country of origin and the year of production. For instance, the Pirelli P Zero tyre is actually named for the company’s headquarters in the Italian city of Pisa. The Eagle GT tyre from Goodyear is also named for the US state of Arizona, where the firm is also based. There are many different ways to categorise tyres, however. Some companies may name their tyres according to the type of vehicle they are for, while others may base their names on the geographic region in which they were first produced. Tyre brands often sell tyres under multiple models, so you may see the same model name listed under two separate categories.
2. Brand Logo – When it comes to identifying a specific tyre brand, you should be looking out for anything that resembles a logo. A simple web search for a tyre brand name followed by images will usually produce results. However, if you cannot identify the exact tyre brand, then you should try searching through online stores like Amazon.com, eBay, and Aliexpress. Typing in the tyre brand name followed by “reviews” or “ratings” will normally return a list of customer reviews. These reviews may give you further insight into what to look for when trying to identify the correct brand of tyre.
3. Maximum Speed Rating – All tyres have a maximum speed rating usually based on the kind of construction they have and the size of the tyre. Hatchback vehicles like the Maruti Suzuki Alto-200 do not require tyres with high-speed ratings. However, supercars like Ferrari do need tyres that are at a high speed on road in order to reach high speeds. Tyres with a Speed rating Q are usually used in hatchbacks as well. Many Indian cars and tyres have a speed rating between S-H. A speed rating X is usually reserved for super luxury and sports cars.
4. Tread wear indicators – Tread wear indicators are on the shoulders of all tyres manufactured in India or imported into India. The location of the tread wear indicators corresponds to the locations of the tyre wear markers. These markings are below the tread surface. The height of the tyre wear indicator is 1.2mm, which is the maximum CMVR (Central Motor Vehicles Rules) limit for tread depths.
5. Tyre size – The type of tyre you will require depends on what kind of vehicle you drive. If it’s an SUV, then go for a high-performing tyre like a 700×23. For smaller cars, you might want to choose a more economical option such as a 225/45R18. Remember, when choosing a tyre, you should always pick one that’s within its intended specification.
If you buy tyres online, it is important to check the size and speed ratings of the Tyres Theale before purchasing them. If you need to replace all four tyres at once, then it is best to go to a reputable dealer.
