The sidewall of a tire includes a variety of important information. The numbers and letters identify dimensions and performance standards that allow you to compare tires more accurately and efficiently. This diagram will help you to understand those numbers and letters. For assistance in selecting a replacement tire, always consult your Toyo Tires dealer. The load index number and speed symbol correspond to the maximum load-carrying capacity of the tire and its maximum speed capability. The load index is an assigned number that corresponds with the load-carrying capacity of the tire. For example, "96" indicates a load-carrying capacity of 1565 lb. at maximum inflation pressure. The load index for most passenger car tires ranges from 75-100.   Click here to view the complete load inflation index. Speed ratings are determined by indoor laboratory testing methods, which measure high-speed tire durability under controlled test conditions. These test procedures do not take into account underinflation, tire damage, vehicle characteristics or road conditions which can lead to sudden tire failure or loss of vehicle control at much lower speeds than indicated by the tire's speed rating.

When replacing tires on your vehicle, you should use replacement tires with a speed rating equal to or greater than that of the original equipment tires if the speed capability and handling characteristics of the vehicle are to be maintained. Bridgestone Tyres Price In SingaporeRemember to never operate your vehicle in an unsafe or unlawful manner. Chihuahua X Puppies For Sale VictoriaYour Toyo Tires dealer can provide you with more information on speed ratings.Vacuum Cleaner Guy Breaking Bad Actor The diameter indicates the size of the wheel from one side to the other. You can learn more about changing the diameter of the wheels of your car in the Plus Sizing section. The "R" stands for "radial," indicating the tire has radial construction.

The aspect ratio is the dimensional relationship of the section height to the section width. The lower the aspect ratio, the shorter the sidewall and the wider the shoulder-to-shoulder width. The width of a tire is referred to as its section width. This is the width of an inflated tire in millimeters at its widest point from sidewall to sidewall. The section height of the tire is measured in millimeters also. The section height is approximately the distance from the rim to the tread surface of the tire when it is not carrying any weight. Tires with a “P” are for passenger car use. Some passenger car tires may not have a “P” and are considered hard-metric tires. Some light trucks and SUV’s are equipped with original equipment P-metric or hard-metric tires. Tires with a “LT” are for light truck or SUV use only. The "LT" designation stands for "Light Truck." These tires are intended for more severe use often seen on trucks and follow load and inflation standards established by the Tire and Rim Association (TRA).

Load Index values and load capacities for these tires can be found in TRA manuals. The "M+S" indicates the tire is designed for mud and snow applications. The Mud and Snow designation may also appear as "M&S" or "M/S." The mountain/snowflake designate a tire designed for severe snow conditions. Uniform Tire Quality Grading: The Uniform Tire Quality Grading System, or UTQG, is a system developed by the government designed to provide consumers with information on tire treadwear, traction, and operating temperature resistance. A number, followed by two to three letters, identifies the grade on the sidewall. The treadwear grade is a comparative numerical rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 200 would wear twice as well on the course as a tire graded 100. The rating increases in 20-point increments. It is important to note that the true performance of a tire depends upon the actual conditions of its use.

Actual conditions may depart significantly from the test conditions due to variations in driving habits, service practices and differences in road characteristics and climates. The traction rating indicates the tire's ability to stop a vehicle moving straight forward on wet pavement. The ratings are AA, A, B, and C, with AA being the best. The UTQG Temperature Rating indicates the tire's ability to effectively dissipate heat. The ratings range from A to C, with A being the best. The DOT tire identification number indicates compliance with all safety standards established by the U.S. Department of Transportation and provides additional information about the tire manufacturer. Located on the sidewall of a tire, the complete DOT tire identification number is a combination of up to 12 numbers and letters that provide valuable information. Recently it became mandatory to apply a partial DOT serial number on the sidewall opposite the complete DOT serial number. The partial DOT serial shows manufacturer, plant and tire size information.

It does not show the week and year that the tire was manufactured, but may still assist consumers in identifying tires should a recall be necessary. The purpose in applying the partial DOT serial number was to facilitate tire identification when the full DOT serial number may have been mounted towards the inboard side of the vehicle, and consequently not visible unless the vehicle was put on a lift for inspection. This is the partial DOT number for the full DOT number show above. Tires built in the 1990's will have three numbers and may have a triangle to note the decade. The last three digits, 517, plus the triangle in the example above mean this tire was manufactured in the 51st week of 1997. In the absence of the decade triangle, this tire would have been made during the 51st week of 1987. For assistance in reading your DOT tire identification number, please contact us.If you regularly use more than one set of tires (for example, winter tires vs. all-season tires, or racing tires vs. everyday tires) you may not have given much thought to how or where you store the set you’re not currently using.

When it comes to tires, a little TLC can go a long way. So if you’ve been storing tires outside, hauling them around in the trunk of your car, or just tossing them in the garage, check out these ten easy tips that’ll help your tires last longer -- and help you save a little cash. Sounds like advice from Mom, doesn’t it? And as usual, Mom knows best. During normal use, tires accumulate brake dust, dirt, and road grime, and all that gunk can cause tire damage if it sits on your tires for a long time. Use soap, water, and a tire brush to clean your tires. If the tires are still mounted on the rims, it’s also a good time to clean the wheels (use an approved wheel cleaner). Wipe the tires and wheels down with a towel, then let them dry completely. Do not use tire dressing or tire gloss when storing tires. Once your tires are clean and dry, put them into large, dark, airtight plastic bags like lawn and garden bags. Try to remove as much air from the bags as possible before sealing them securely with tape.

This will help prevent the lubricating oil within the tire compounds from evaporating. If you really want to go crazy, you can even use your vacuum cleaner to draw out air before sealing the bags. The best way to store tires is standing upright – it puts less stress on the tires. If you have to stack your tires, try not to stack them too high. If your tire tower gets too tall, it could topple over and damage the tires. However, if your tires are mounted on the rims, you should store them stacked, not upright. If your tires are mounted on the rims, hanging them from hooks is a great storage option. But unmounted tires should never be hung – the stress can cause distortion and damage. They do – some folks like to use “tire totes” to store and carry tires. While these totes are convenient, tidy, and make carrying tires easier, they’re not airtight, so they don’t necessarily protect tires from the atmosphere. If you want to use tire totes, we recommend putting the tires in plastic bags (as described above) first, then putting them in the totes.

Not really -- but they should stay out of the sun. Because tires are black, they soak up the heat of the sun and can easily heat up to over 120 degrees F. This intense heat, coupled with the sun's ultraviolet rays, can cause the rubber to break down. Ozone can damage tires, so it’s best to keep your tires away from machinery that can generate ozone, like electric motors, furnaces, central vacuums, or your basement sump pump. If you have to store a vehicle for long periods of time, the constant weight on the tires can cause tire damage. If you can, move the vehicle or take it out for a short drive every once in a while – you’ll relieve the stress on the tire and help keep the tire’s rubber compounds lubricated and supple. If your vehicle is stored outside, cover the tires to protect them from direct sunlight. When it’s time to put your tires away, make sure you store them in a cool, dry place like your basement, climate-controlled garage, or workshop. Avoid storing tires outdoors, in a standard garage, or in an attic – basically, any place that could be very hot, wet, humid, or cold (yes, tires can actually freeze).