DESIGNATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF AUTOMOBILE TIRES
To ensure the best handling, stability and flotation, it is necessary that the tires are suitable for the vehicle and its operating conditions.
The tire consists of: carcass, breaker plies, tread, bead and side part.
Depending on the orientation of the cord threads in the carcass, tires are distinguished:
radial
diagonal
In radial tires, the cord threads are located along the radius of the wheel, and in diagonal tires, at an angle to the radius of the wheel, and the threads of adjacent layers intersect. Radial tires are more rigid, they have a longer resource, better contact patch shape stability, and lower rolling resistance.
1. Bead wire ring
2. Sidewall
3. Longitudinal tread groove
4. Shoulder protector
5. Center rib
6. Protector
7. Nylon belt layer
8. 2nd layer of steel breaker
9. 1st layer of steel belt
10. 2nd layer of textile frame
11. 1st layer of textile frame
12. Side tape
13. Heel board
14. Bead base
15. Toe board
16. Filler cord
17. Sealing layer
18. Undergroove tread
The tire has the following components:
- frame- the main power element of the tire, consisting of one or more layers of rubberized cord, usually fixed on the bead rings. Cord is a fabric consisting of thick warp threads and thin rare weft threads, made on the basis of natural or synthetic fibers, or thin steel threads (metal cord);
- breaker- the inner part of the tire, located between the carcass and the tread and consisting of several layers of rubberized metal or other cord. The breaker is designed to mitigate the shock loads on the tire that occur when the car is moving on the road;
- tread- the outer rubber part of the tire, usually with a relief pattern, providing traction and protecting the carcass from damage;
- sidewall- a layer of cover rubber located on the side wall of the tire, protecting the carcass from external damage;
- tire bead- hard part pneumatic tire, providing its fastening on the wheel rim.
In a diagonal tire breaker, the cords in adjacent layers intersect with each other at an angle of 45 to 60°, and in radial ones, at an angle of 45 to 65°.
Radial tires, unlike diagonal ones, have a carcass with a smaller number of cord layers, a powerful breaker (usually a metal cord), which provides them with less circumferential deformation during rolling and less tread slippage in contact with the road. Radial tires also have lower heat generation and lower rolling losses, longer service life, higher load and higher speed.
General information
Tires in execution can be chambered and tubeless, and in design radial and diagonal. Depending on the purpose and operating conditions, tires are divided into:
road(commonly called summer), are designed for use at positive temperatures on highways. Tires of this type provide the best grip on dry and wet roads, have maximum wear resistance and are best suited for high-speed driving. For driving on dirt roads (especially wet) and in winter, they are of little use.
winter used on icy and snowy roads, the grip of which may vary depending on the situation, from minimal (smooth ice or porridge of snow and water) to small (packed snow in the cold). They have good road properties, somewhat inferior to the summer “rubber”. Many winter tires allow or have anti-skid studs.
all season are a compromise between summer and winter tires, therefore they are inferior in terms of grip to both the first and second tires in the conditions appropriate for the season. They allow year-round operation of the car on one set of tires.
universal have properties that allow them to be used both on highways and on dirt roads. It is advisable to use them for off-road vehicles that make approximately equal runs on highways and roads. It can be quite difficult to draw a clear line between them and all-season tires.
off-road designed for off-road and soft soils. It is desirable to use such tires only for occasional traffic on the highway. Otherwise, they will wear out faster and create a high level of noise.
Basic tire sizes:
seat diameter (d) on the wheel rim, indicated in inches;
profile width (s) mounted on a rim and inflated tire without load, indicated in millimeters or inches. This size must correspond to the seat width of the rim (Tables 1, 2, 3);
series (h)- the ratio of the profile height to its width in percent. If the series is not on the label, then this ratio is 80% or more;
outer diameter (D) is the diameter of the tire mounted on the rim and inflated without load. Specified in directories;
profile height (H)- the difference between the outer and landing diameters. Tires are not listed.
Tire tread patterns:
non-directional pattern (photo a) - symmetrical with respect to the radial plane of the wheel passing through its axis of rotation. It is the most versatile, so most tires are produced with this pattern;
directional pattern (photo b) - symmetrical with respect to the plane passing through the middle of the tread. It has an improved ability to drain water from the contact patch with the road and reduced noise;
asymmetric pattern (photo c) - not symmetrical with respect to the central plane of rotation of the wheel. It is used to implement different properties in one bus. For example, the outer side of a tire performs better on dry roads, while the inner side performs better on wet roads.
Tire designations:
Contains information about dimensions, tire design, speed and load ratings. In accordance with current standards, the designation of dimensions can be millimeter, inch or mixed.
1 - maximum load and pressure (according to the US standard);
2 - designation inside tires with an asymmetric* tread pattern. The outer side in this case is designated "OUTSIDE";
3 - number of layers and type of carcass cord and belt;
4 - trademark manufacturer;
5 - profile width;
6 - series;
7, 15 - designation of a radial tire;
8 - designation of a tubeless tire;
9 - landing diameter;
10 - load capacity index;
11 - speed index;
12 - designation of the direction of rotation of the tire on the car (with a directional tread pattern);
13 - date of manufacture, for example, the 28th week of 2001 (until 2000 - a three-digit number);
14 - sign of the official approval of the tire for compliance with UNECE Regulation No. 30, the conditional number of the country that issued the certificate, and the number of the certificate;
16 - model name.
Examples of tire designation according to GOST 4754-97:
1) 185/70R14
2) 215/90-15C
3) 5.90-13C
Numbers and letters mean:
185; 215; 5.90 - profile width in mm or inches;
70; 90 - series (the ratio of the height of the profile to its width in percent;
R - designation of a radial tire (the letter “D” is not indicated in the designation of a diagonal tire);
14; 15; 13 - rim diameter in inches;
C - an index indicating that the tire is designed for light trucks and buses of especially small capacity.
In circulation there are tires with other designations, for example:
1) 6,15-13/155-13
6.15 and 155 - profile width in inches and millimeters;
13 - rim diameter in inches.
There is no R, so the tire is diagonal. Since no profile height value is specified, it exceeds 80%.
2) 31x10.5R15 (for off-road tires, all dimensions in inches)
31 - outer diameter;
10.5 - profile width;
R - radial tire;
15 - landing diameter.
Marking of tires of domestic production
In accordance with GOST 4754-97, the following mandatory inscriptions are applied to the tire:
trademark and (or) name of the manufacturer;
name of the country - manufacturer in English - “Made in…”;
tire designation;
trade mark (tire model);
bearing capacity index (carrying capacity);
speed category index (Table 4);
“Tubeless” - for tubeless tires;
“Reinforced” - for reinforced tires;
“M+S” or “M.S” - for winter tires;
“All seasons” - for all season tires;
the date of manufacture, consisting of three digits, the first two indicate the week of manufacture, the last - the year;
“PSI” - pressure index from 20 to 85 (only for tires with index “C”);
“Regroovable” - if it is possible to deepen the tread pattern by cutting;
approval mark "E" indicating the approval numbers and the country that issued the certificate;
"GOST 4754";
national mark of conformity to GOST (it is allowed to apply only in the accompanying documentation);
serial number of the bus;
direction of rotation sign (in the case of a directional tread pattern);
“TWI” - location of wear indicators;
balancing mark (except for tires 6.50-16С and 215/90-15С supplied for operation);
technical control stamp.
Foreign tire marking
They may have some other designations:
“Tous terrain” - all-weather;
“R+W” (Road + Winter) - road + winter (universal);
“Retread” - restored;
“Inside” - inside;
“Outside” - outer side;
“Rotation” - direction of rotation (for tires with a directional pattern);
“Side facing inwards” - the side facing inward;
“Side facing outwards” - the side facing outward (for asymmetric tires);
“Steel” - designation of the presence of steel cord;
“TL” - tubeless tire;
"TT" or "MIT SCHLAUCH" - tube tire.
Recommendations
It is desirable that all tires installed on the car are not only of the same size and design, but also of the same model and, if possible, of the same manufacturer. Despite the external similarity of some tread patterns, each tire model has a set of properties that are unique to it. When tires with a different, albeit very similar, pattern are installed on different axles of a car (this is allowed by the Rules of the Road), the grip properties will inevitably differ, which can adversely affect handling in critical situations. In case of forced installation of different tires, the following combinations should be avoided whenever possible:
low-profile “rubber” in front and high-profile rear;
studded tires are installed on the drive axle of a front - wheel drive car , and without studs on the rear ;
new tires are installed in front, and completely worn out tires in the back or vice versa, etc.
The last two options are especially dangerous, since on wet or icy asphalt the grip of the rear tires with the road is significantly reduced, which can lead to a skid and an accident.
All tires, even within the same type, differ in rubber chemistry, internal construction, and tread pattern. This is due to the fact that it is impossible to make an “ideal” tire that would provide the maximum realization of the characteristics of the car under all road conditions. Therefore, manufacturers produce tires:
with a certain specialization, when one (or two) properties are most developed (as a rule, to a small detriment to others). For example, a highway comfort tire, while having low noise and good running smoothness, may not provide good stability and handling at high speeds. Or the tire has a longer life and provides lower fuel consumption (compared to other models) due to low rolling resistance, but may not provide good comfort, stability and handling. As a rule, all major manufacturers (unfortunately, so far mostly foreign) indicate in their brochures what exactly the best properties a given tire model has. True, at the same time they are silent about what properties they “sacrificed”;
with averaged, approximately equal in magnitude, properties, to ensure an acceptable implementation of vehicle performance in a wide range of road conditions.
Therefore, before choosing tires, you must determine:
what properties of tires, in addition to reliable grip, are most important to you - “sportiness”, comfort, economy, etc.
conditions in which the car will be used for a longer time;
maximum load capacity and speed, tire dimensions that must match the car.
When switching to another dimension, it is desirable that the outer diameter of the tire does not change, which can be calculated using the formula: D = 25.4d + 2sh,
where d is the wheel diameter (inches), s is the tire profile width (mm), h is the tire series (the ratio of the tire profile height to its width in %). Recommended replacement options are given in table. 5.
It should be borne in mind that the operation of tires at maximum speeds and loads significantly reduces their life.
Subtleties of tire MARKING
If the car manufacturer allows you to vary the size of the tires within certain limits, then wider tires are preferable for summer. On them, the car slows down a little better and slips less during intensive acceleration. But at the same time, it handles worse in small radius turns - the tire has to slip due to the fact that opposite sides of the tread pass different ways, and the wider the tire, the more difference slippage. Besides wide tires float in puddles at a lower speed than narrow ones.
The handling and stability of the car, and ride smoothness directly depend on the series or height of the tire profile. A high sidewall resists bumps better, but in corners, such a tire will break, be late with the reaction, and change the trajectory. But a low-profile tire is tough and does not tolerate bad roads.
A separate category of tires is "M+S" (mud and snow). Such tires have mediocre performance on asphalt, but have advantages on primers and snowy roads. However, on the latter they behave worse than real winter ones, additionally marked with a badge with a three-headed mountain peak and a snowflake. However, the icon may not be.
Another "semi-all-terrain" category - All season - all-season tires. To some extent, they are close to tires of the m + s type, since they allow both summer and winter operation. Such versatility is acceptable in warm regions where winters are short and not cold and summers are not very hot. Universal tires noticeably lag behind summer tires in summer and winter tires in winter.
Run-flat tires (not afraid of punctures, thanks to reinforced sidewalls) have their own distinctive marking, which is shown in the table:
Other markings that can be found on tires are shown in the table.:.
| Marking | What does | Note |
|---|---|---|
| All season or Tous terrain | All season | |
| R+W (Road+winter) | Road + winter (all-weather) | |
| M+S, M&S or M(.)S (mud+snow) | mud and snow | |
| XL (extra load) | Increased load capacity | The actual load capacity of a tire is determined by the load index |
| R or Radial | Radial tire design | |
| Reinforced | reinforced | |
| Retread | restored | |
| regroovable | Grooving/grooving possible | |
| Rotation (used with an arrow) | Direction of tire rotation | Only for tires with directional tread type |
| Inside or Side facing inwards | Inner side of the side | |
| Outside or Side facing outwards | Outer side of the side | Only for tires with asymmetric tread type |
| C (commercial) | For light trucks and vans | Usually located at the end of the tire size marking |
| P (passenger) | Passenger car | |
| LT (light truck) | For light trucks and buses | On American tires. May be located in front of the tire size marking. |
| SUV | For SUVs | |
| Steel or Steel belted | Steel cord breaker | |
| Tubeless or TL | Tubeless | |
| Tube type or TT | With a camera | |
| TWI (Tread wear indication) | Tread depth wear indicator | |
| The letter "E" in a circle with a digital index | Confirmation of tire type certification for compliance with UNECE Regulation No. 30. | The digital index in a circle is the number (code) of the country that carried out the certification, outside the circle is the number of the certificate. |
| maximum load … | It is better to focus on the load index | |
| Maximum Pressure … | US maximum tire pressure | |
| ETRO | European technical organization for tires and rims | |
| ECE | European Economic Commission | |
| DOT | US Department of Transportation | |
| FMVSS | Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard |
For gourmets
These prefer to select a set of tires from the same batch, trying to avoid even minimal deviations in properties. Then you need to pay attention to the type marking: "DOT GU N4 FRVX 1908". On Michelin tyres, collectively this is referred to as the DOT manufacturer's certificate number, and means the following:
DOT (Department of Trasnpotation) - US Department of Transportation;
GU - manufacturer's code;
N4 - size code:
FRVX- additional code, often including the batch or brigade number;
1908 (may be pressed separately from DOT) - the first two digits indicate the week of the year (here 19), the last two - the year (2008) of the tire.
ECE, ETRO and FMVSS certificates can be applied.
Tires of different parties, if they differ, then not so much that the consumer notices it. The difference is usually negligible.
I will reveal a little secret, which many tire manufacturers try not to advertise for obvious reasons. Vehicle manufacturers have specific requirements for OE tires. Mercedes, for example, focuses on comfort, BMW - on handling - as a result, the balance of tire properties changes slightly. At the same time, the name and tread pattern remain intact, and it is impossible to distinguish them by sight. Therefore, special marks are applied to them, which are shown in the table:
Additional markings on tires supplied as original equipment
Installed at the request of automakers:
Note: Michelin recommends:
1. It is unacceptable to use tires without the appropriate marking on cars of the brand in bold.
2. Tires in bold type cannot be used on vehicles from another manufacturer.
Tires without such a marking are average, and go on sale or to complete cars without special requirements for tires.
If you're picking up one tire from a BMW or Porsche, it's best to check if it has a special marking. If there is, look for exactly the same when ordering through a car dealer. It is clear that such a tire will cost more than a regular store. But only then can you be sure that in an emergency the car will not buckle with an “average tire”. If you can't find one, you'll have to buy all four from a regular tire shop.
About hernia resistance
An increase in the speed and load ratings does not mean that the tire will be less afraid of breakdowns and lapping to the curbs. But there are still some small benefits. Faster tires are structurally stronger in the radial direction. Often due to a reinforcing pad between the breaker and the frame. These tires are slightly less vulnerable to impact but tend to be stiffer and noisier.
Tires with more high index load capacities are distinguished not only by an additional substrate, but also by reinforced sidewalls. They are indeed more durable. The tires for cars of the SUV category also reinforce the shoulders with linings, so if you have to drive on broken roads, you can choose those that are suitable in size and speed capabilities. By the way, some imported cars for Russian market manufacturers complete with tires greater load capacity. Keep in mind that they are heavier, less comfortable, and increase fuel consumption. In addition, hard tires do not absorb impact energy well, so the suspension and bodywork suffer more. A variant of some increase in “hernia resistance” is an increase in pressure above the recommended one by 0.3-0.5 bar. But let's not forget that this will worsen the grip of the wheels with the road and the smoothness of the ride.
Shoulder tattoo
1. Recently, the sidewalls of tires from some manufacturers have been decorated with pictures of something like the following.
From left to right, this means: summer, rain, snow, fuel economy, confident cornering. Others, if they introduce similar badges, try to keep them on the company's website, because this information is needed only when choosing tires.
2. "Green" tires are characterized by reduced fuel consumption and reduced noise levels. How much - only the manufacturer himself knows.
this badge is used by Michelin. And Nokian and Pirelli - embossed leaves
3. Three-headed snow top with a snowflake indicates that the tires are made for harsh winter conditions. Used as additional marking for M+S tires
4. The most convenient wear indicator (Nokian) - a quick glance at the tread is enough to find out what its residual depth is (the numbers are “squeezed out” to a certain depth) and whether the tires have retained the ability to remain winter (the snowflake will be erased from the tread when the depth of its grooves remains less than 4 mm)
5. Another Nokian trick is marking the position of the wheels on the car when changing tires seasonally.
6. The interpretation of round and triangular color marks on the sidewalls of tires is not regulated by any international or European document. For example, Bridgestone, Yokohama, Kumho, label products in accordance with the requirements of car manufacturers. Therefore, colored marks can be found on tires intended for original equipment.
The most common interpretation of yellow marks is the lightest part of the tire. Red indicates the location of the maximum force heterogeneity or the heaviest part of the tire. A white mark of any shape is a fragment of the OTC stamp.
The colored stripes in the tread grooves are usually logistical signals that make life easier for warehouse workers. To know for sure what each specific colored strip or label of any configuration means, you will have to contact the tire manufacturer.
Sergey Mishin took part in the preparation of the article
During the change of seasons, every driver is faced with the need to change tires on his car. In addition to the logical choice of winter, summer or all-weather tires, it is necessary to determine the size of the tire, the degree of load on it, as well as the speed characteristics of the car. How rubber is marked and what this or that marking means - let's figure it out.
To achieve good car handling, road stability, its cross-country ability, it is necessary that the rubber matches road transport and conditions of its operation.
Did you know? First prototype modern tire was a product that was invented in 1847 by Robert Thompson. The scientist decided to turn the wheels horse-drawn transport special elastic material that would reduce noise and facilitate the movement of crews.
The main task of tires is to provide all road users with maximum safety. This can be achieved if you “dress” the car according to the season: summer period use summer tires, in winter - winter. 
As for all-season tires, they are designed for use in one temperature range. So, for example, if rubber was used in summer, then it is no longer suitable for winter, since it will be dangerous for movement.
Exist Various types classification car tires:
By appointment (seasonality):
- summer or travel- designed for driving at positive temperatures on the highway; for use in winter period or to travel to dirt roads products do not fit;
- winter- used for winter, for movement in sub-zero temperature indicators air, on roads covered with snow and covered with ice;
- all season- are considered an intermediate option between summer and winter, however, they are inferior to both in the organization of high-quality adhesion of rubber to the road surface in a certain season;
- universal- suitable for operation on highways and dirt roads;
- off-road - used for driving on soft soils or off-road.
According to the tread pattern:
- directional and non-directional;
- asymmetrical and symmetrical.
By profile size, which is determined by the ratio of the width of the rubber to the height (measured as a percentage):
- ultra-low profile - up to 50%;
- low profile - from 50 to 65%;
- normal - from 65% and above.
Sealing method:
- tubeless;
- chamber.
Important! Most of all tires manufactured today are tubeless.
To find out which tire to choose for the car, you should dwell on its marking in more detail.
Tire marking decoding
Since 2012, the states of the European Union have adopted a law on mandatory tire labeling. Therefore, all tires made in Europe have a standardized designation.
Rubber, according to Euromarking, must be evaluated taking into account three main parameters: fuel efficiency, wet traction and external rolling noise. 
Basic marking
Marking is applied to all types of tires. It is from it that the owner of the car can find out the size of the tire, its manufacturer, speed and load index. The marking consists of several numbers and a series of letters, deciphering which, you can find out all the information about the rubber.
Manufacturer
Finding a country or a manufacturer on a wheel is quite simple, because companies place their logo on the entire surface of the rubber or indicate the place of production - for example, "NOKIAN", "GOODYEAR" or "Made in Korea".
Among the most popular brands involved in the production of rubber, we can note:
- Continental, Germany;
- Nokian, Finland;
- Michelin, France;
- Hankook, South Korea;
- Goodyear, United States of America;
- Bridgestone, Japan;
- Yokohama, Japan;
- Nexen, South Korea;
- Nankang, Taiwan;
- "Belshina", Belarus;
- "Rosava", Ukraine.
The products of Asian and especially Japanese, as well as European and American companies, are extremely high quality and has excellent driving properties. Important! Today, the market is represented in large quantities by products of Chinese manufacturers, which do not differ good quality and is exclusively a copy of tires of famous brands.
Model and type of protector
The adhesion of the tire to the road surface largely depends on the tread of tires - a special element that is designed to protect the inside from various damages, as well as to create an optimal tire contact patch.
According to the type of tread, the following tires are distinguished:
- With symmetrical non-directional pattern - the traditional option, which is characterized by reliability, low cost, versatility and practicality. Such wheels are easy to replace, and their installation does not depend on the direction of rotation.
- With symmetrical directional pattern- one of the most popular options among motorists. This pattern allows you to dramatically increase the resistance of hydroplaning, which is especially important when driving on a wet highway. The wide grooves located on the tire perfectly cope with the task of draining water from the contact patch with the road surface. Each tire has a special inscription on the sidewall "ROTATION", as well as a drawn arrow that indicates the direction of rotation.
- Asymmetrical non-directional pattern- mainly used for more expensive passenger cars. An asymmetric tread makes it possible to improve the performance characteristics of a tire compared to a symmetrical one. This type tires has some features associated with their installation. Installation is carried out according to the inscriptions "Outside" and "Inside", that is, taking into account the inner and outer sides of the wheel.
- Asymmetrical directional pattern- can be found much less frequently than the previous three. Such wheels have symbols on the side: an arrow and the inscription "ROTATION", which indicate the direction of rotation. At the same time, the symbols "Outside" and "Inside" may be indicated on the tires, indicating the inner and outer parts. There is also a division into left "L" and right "R".
As for tire models, manufacturers produce their original lines, in which each model has its own unique properties and technical characteristics. Important! When mounting rubber, it is imperative to take into account the type of tread pattern.
The following wheel models are available:- economical- are used for not very expensive cars belonging to the type of small cars. They are characterized by low cost, high mileage relatively next replacement the ability to save fuel.
- Models designed for the city, - are suitable for operation in city conditions. Quite inexpensive, practical, comfortable, easy to change, provide comfort when driving.
- Sports and comfortable- specially designed for drivers who prefer fast, fast driving. They are not as stiff as sports tires, and are able to provide the car owner with a good, rather soft, but at the same time high-speed ride.
- Sports- are used for high-speed driving. They are made of special rubber, have a reinforced structure, thanks to which they are able to withstand acceleration up to 250–300 km/h. These tires are quite expensive.
- off-road- tires that are used for off-road driving and off-road use. Such products are distinguished by the presence of a "tractor" tread pattern and a reinforced structure. They are most often used for the movement of SUVs and agricultural vehicles.
Speed index
Speed Index (SI) is a digital indicator that indicates the maximum possible design speed of a tire, that is, the speed that rubber can withstand.
This index is denoted by a certain Latin letter.| Speed index | Permissible speed, km/h | Speed index | Permissible speed, km/h | Speed index | Permissible speed, km/h |
| A1 | 5 | D | 65 | Q | 160 |
| A2 | 10 | E | 70 | R | 170 |
| A3 | 15 | F | 80 | S | 180 |
| A4 | 20 | G | 90 | T | 190 |
| A5 | 25 | J | 100 | U | 200 |
| A6 | 30 | K | 110 | H | 210 |
| A7 | 35 | L | 120 | V | 240 |
| A8 | 40 | M | 130 | W | 270 |
| B | 50 | N | 140 | Y | 300 |
| C | 60 | P | 150 | ZR | over 240 |
Load index
An equally important parameter is the load index (IN) - a parameter indicating the maximum possible load that rubber can withstand with the appropriate IC and air pressure in it.
A short-term excess of the load level by 15-20% of the permissible one is allowed, however, with a long load, the tire can be torn into pieces.
Important!The table shows the ID for one tire, therefore, to calculate the total figure, that is, the maximum weight of the car, the indicator should be multiplied by the number of wheels - 4.
The ID table looks like this:| Load index | Load index | Load index | |||
| 40 | 140 | 60 | 250 | 80 | 450 |
| 41 | 145 | 61 | 257 | 81 | 462 |
| 42 | 150 | 62 | 265 | 82 | 475 |
| 43 | 155 | 63 | 272 | 83 | 487 |
| 44 | 160 | 64 | 280 | 84 | 500 |
| 45 | 165 | 65 | 290 | 85 | 515 |
| 46 | 170 | 66 | 300 | 86 | 530 |
| 47 | 175 | 67 | 307 | 87 | 545 |
| 48 | 180 | 68 | 315 | 88 | 560 |
| 49 | 185 | 69 | 325 | 89 | 580 |
| 50 | 190 | 70 | 335 | 90 | 600 |
| 51 | 195 | 71 | 345 | 91 | 615 |
| 52 | 200 | 72 | 355 | 92 | 630 |
| 53 | 206 | 73 | 365 | 93 | 650 |
| 54 | 212 | 74 | 375 | 94 | 670 |
| 55 | 218 | 75 | 387 | 95 | 690 |
| 56 | 224 | 76 | 400 | 96 | 710 |
| 57 | 230 | 77 | 412 | 97 | 730 |
| 58 | 236 | 78 | 425 | 98 | 750 |
| 59 | 243 | 79 | 437 | 99 | 775 |
Construction index
The tire also has a marking that indicates the design:
- R or Radial- radial design. Often inexperienced drivers are confused with tire radius. The absence of such a symbol indicates that the wheel is of a diagonal type. The radial design wheels are characterized by excellent elasticity and high load capacity.
- D (or no indication) is a diagonal structure that is characterized by good balance.
- B- diagonally belted type.
- Steel- indicates that there is a steel cord in the structure.
Tire sizes
Manufacturers also indicate their sizes on tires.
This marking consists of the following items:
- X - width parameter, measured in millimeters, for example 210 (mm);
- Y - rubber tread, that is percentage profile height to width, for example 55 (%);
- construction type, for example R, which means radical type;
- Z is the diameter of the wheel disc, for example 14 (inches);
- IP - 94;
- IS, for example T.
As a result, the tire dimension will look like this: 210/55 R 14 94 T. Important!Do not use tires of different sizes on the same machine.
Tire type
The type of tires is also indicated by manufacturers with certain designations:
- R (Passanger)- indicates that the wheel is used for passenger cars. There may be an inscription P-metric, which is an American version of the marking and is not used on European products.
- WITH- a tire used for light trucks or buses, with a small capacity. Used by manufacturers of the CIS countries.
- LT (Light Truck)- denotes the same as "C", only for manufacturers in other countries of the world.
- TT- tube tires.
- TL- tires without a tube.
It should be noted that tubeless tires can be used together with the camera, but the life of such a camera will be short. 
Additional marking
In addition to the basic symbols that are located on the sidewall of the tire, you can also find a number of other symbols.
Week and year of issue:
- wheels manufactured before 2000 are designated as a three-digit number, which means the week of manufacture and year, for example, the 16th week and 1998 - (168);
- tires that were produced after 2000 have a four-digit numbering, for example, 0602, where 6 is the week of production, 02 is 2002.
Tire installation location:
- F (front wheel)- installation only on a forward wheel is possible;
- rear wheel- mounting only on the rear wheel;
- "Rotation" or arrow- indicates the direction of rotation.
Standards:
- E (circled)- rubber, which was made taking into account the European requirements of ECE;
- DOT (US Department of Transportation)- the tire made according to state quality standards of the USA.
Video: designations and decoding on tires Seasonality:
- AS, Any Season, All Season, R+W, AW, A.G.T.- type of all-season tires;
- Winter or snowflake pattern- tires designed for winter;
- Rain, Aqua, Water, Aquatred, Aquacontact or painted umbrella- a rain tire that is suitable for driving on wet highways.
Did you know?Any tire is made from various natural and synthetic materials: resin, rubber, sulfur, oils, textile and polymer threads. However, only manufacturers know the exact "recipe" for tire production, because this is a trade secret.
Other designations:- Temperature (A, B, C)- heat resistance of the tire, where A is the maximum value;
- Studless- will not lie down for studding;
- Studdable- subject to studding.
At first glance, it seems that deciphering the tire marking is quite difficult. However, it is not. All designations on the sidewall of the tire are a set of technical parameters and other useful information, indicating: the country and the manufacturer, the size of the tire, its type, the maximum allowable speed and load, installation method, seasonality. 
Drivers can only remember the basic marking symbols and select tires according to the required parameters.
Subscribe to our feeds
Every car owner once heard such a phrase as all season tires or, more simply, "all-weather". Probably, many people wondered what all-weather season is and why then seasonal tires are needed, if you can change your shoes once and no longer "steam" about this. Today we will try to give answers to these and many other questions in order to make it easier for you to make the right choice.
To begin with, let's understand what are all season tires? Those who immediately chuckled and replied that these are universal tires that are equally good for both winter and summer are wrong! In fact, all-season tires are tires that have satisfactory characteristics for both summer and winter use. I draw your attention to the fact that it is satisfactory, and not ideal or excellent.
What parameters determine tire performance?
Tires are distinguished by the following parameters:
- Rubber composition;
- Tread Height;
- Tread pattern.
For winter tires the tread is high, which allows them to provide better grip on the road, such tires crush snow better and are more disposed to the subsequent self-cleaning of the tread from snow. Winter tires have a tread that consists of sipe blocks, which in turn are divided into even smaller sipes. The main advantage of winter tires is their elasticity, which it retains even at low temperatures due to special composition rubber.
With summer tires the tread is lower, for this type of tire the main thing is to ensure reliable grip of the wheels with asphalt. Grip provides a special pattern that is applied to the tires during their manufacture. The pattern of summer tires differs from that of winter tires, for example, for summer tires, the depth and width of the grooves that separate the tread blocks are small. There are also modifications of summer tires, the so-called "rain" tires. The tread of these was created specially optimized for the fastest possible withdrawal of water that enters the tread recesses. Most often, rain tires have a longitudinal groove that runs along the entire surface of the tire, thanks to the recesses made at an angle, water is quickly thrown out of their tires to the side. Summer tires are made from harder materials, this is done taking into account the fact that in the heat the asphalt heats up and is too soft rubber will not be able to provide the required rigidity, as a result of which the machine may lose control.
This is a kind of compromise between summer and winter tires, that is, in winter they are slightly better than summer tires and slightly worse than winter tires, and vice versa in summer. In fact, an all-weather tire is a tire well adapted to winter and summer, the tread of all-weather tires is lower compared to winter tires, however, the tread blocks are cut into lamellas and separated from each other, just like on winter tires. Some motorists hypothesize that all-season tires were invented for warm countries where they are a rarity. In principle, they are partly right, all-weather can and even probably should be used where the temperature does not drop very low or, for example, in those countries where it is very warm during the day and slightly frosty at night. Having installed, for example, winter tires in this climate, during the day it will be subject to a lot of wear and vice versa, if you change into "summer" shoes, then at night or late in the evening summer tires can let you down at the most unpleasant moment, at some turn ... Therefore choosing a compromise called all-season, drivers living in such a climate save money and protect their health.
As for us, Russian motorists, I would strongly not recommend using all-weather tires all year round. Our winters are cold and simple, slightly optimized tires, they simply “will not work” with us, as a result, the desire to save time and money can result in big expenses for repairs and treatment, I think the hint is clear, there is no need to explain...!?
Although, on the other hand, Russia is large and covers several climatic zones, so you should listen to car tire manufacturers, and they advise choosing tires based on the climate and average air temperature in winter and summer. It is wrong to categorically deny the existence of all-season tires and claim that they are absolutely useless and not good for anything. Like any product, all-season tires have their pros and cons, I propose to consider them as a brief summary.
All season pros:
- These tires are cheaper than winter and summer tires combined;
- You save on the need to "change shoes" twice a year;
- If the winter turns out to be abnormally warm, the all-season will help you out well, they are not afraid of a little snow, and they feel good on the pavement. In addition, they are not as noisy while driving as the vast majority of winter tires.
Cons of all-season tires:
- On ice, all-season tires are inferior to winter tires on packed snow;
- All season wears out twice as fast due to the fact that it is used all year round;
- The elasticity of all-season tires is much lower compared to winter tires, so in severe frost (below -10 °) they can become hard, as a result, the car will slide at the slightest skid. Same in summer, if it's too hot, too soft will cause the tires to lose traction.
When buying an all-weather, you need to understand what it is regular tires, which "fit tightly" into the concept of "almost winter" or "almost summer", these are tires not for racing or off-road, which means that you need to ride on such tires accordingly.
And now that you know about all the positive and negative aspects of the "all-season" and "season", answer yourself the question you asked at the beginning of this article: Which is better - all season or winter tires ? Everyone will have their own answer to this question, and for each it will be correct in its own way. It is important to understand that all-season tires are worse than purely summer or purely winter ones, so, of course, all-season tires will never be able to become a full-fledged replacement for one or another. All-season tires are designed for those who live in warm climates, rarely leave the garage, do not have "extra" money for an additional set of tires and at the same time do not like high speeds, if you are just such a person then feel free to buy an all-season. For everyone else, I would highly recommend buy two sets of tires and change it depending on the season, it may be more expensive, but in any case it is much calmer and safer.
How to distinguish summer tires from all season tires? What is written? And further
- Drawing on car tires.
When the temperature rises, you need to change the car into summer tires. What are summer tires...
All tires are designed for specific conditions. And under the wrong conditions, tires become ineffective. But the most unpleasant thing is that exchange rate stability, controllability and braking properties. The car responds late to the steering wheel, reluctantly responds to pressing the brake pedal.
What are summer tires good for?
They have great resistance to the effect of floating in puddles (hydroplaning). The surface pattern of summer tires helps this, it is equipped with a large number of longitudinal grooves for water drainage.
Depending on the operating conditions, summer tires are divided into 3 types: road, off-road and universal.
Road - The tread pattern consists of checkers or ribs separated by grooves.
The use of off-road tires leads to increased consumption fuel, and they buzz very strongly on the pavement.
All-purpose or mixed tires. There is a variety universal tires- the so-called "M+S" type.
One point will help you distinguish the summer "M + S" from the winter one: the latter always has a #916; badge on the sidewall.
In general, it is better to buy rubber in specialized stores.
Before you buy tires, look at the owner's manual for your car. There you can find out the appropriate dimension and tire speed index. It is important that all tires are not only of the same manufacturer, but also of the same model, with the same tread pattern.
What is a tread pattern for? ?
The pattern provides traction, the best is an asymmetric pattern, as deep as possible.
Tires with a V-shaped tread pattern are better suited for dry asphalt.
Tire size
In winter, it is better to install narrower tires, and in summer - wider ones. It is worth paying attention to the sizes recommended by the manufacturer.
All tires also differ in speed index
The load and speed index is indicated on the side surface of the tire and has, for example, the following form: 90T. 90 means a load per tire of 600 kg, and the letter T corresponds to a maximum speed of 190 km/h. The more speed the car can develop, the higher the speed index you need to take tires.
When buying summer tires, there is an opinion that it is better to take used ones, but from good manufacturer than new, of dubious quality.
Tire pattern: what fundamental difference?
Tire tread patterns are divided into three groups: non-directional, directional and asymmetric.The former have a pattern symmetrical to the cross section of the wheel. In this case, the most optimal interaction of the car with the dry track is ensured.
If the image retains symmetry with respect to the longitudinal section of the tire, then it is referred to as directional. Such models are made in order to most effectively get rid of water at the point of contact of the rubber with the road, so these tires provide maximum comfort on a wet track.
In the event that the pattern does not have symmetry, it is classified as asymmetric. Such tires are considered a universal option. Usually one half of them has a pattern suitable for driving on dry roads, and the second on wet roads.
Each manufacturer produces tires with a different pattern, but everyone follows the basic rule: the wider the grooves and the less checkers and diamonds, the better wheels will behave on wet roads and vice versa. .
- spell
- on the all-weather season, along the entire circumference of the rubber, there are 2 or 3 deep rain grooves. plus snowflakes can be drawn
- everyone writes something smart ... here is a picture, everything is clear here))
- Of course it does!
Eagle and Ultra GripBut better take Michelin
If you mainly drive around the city - a non-studded X-Ice 2 - I drove all last winter, the quality is exceptional
if outside the city, or in the city, the roads are not cleaned at all, then the spikes are: X-Ice North XIN2All seasons, like everything universal, does not work very well both in summer and in winter.
- One of the advantages of a tubeless tire is the long-term pressure retention during a puncture, and, consequently, SAFETY! In addition, a tubeless tire is much lighter than a tubed one, which means that it loads the suspension and wheel bearings less, and also heats up less during long speed driving. A tubeless tire is labeled Tubeless on the sidewall. Chamber Tube Type.
DIVISION OF TIRES INTO SEASONAL CLASSES.
The classic division of tires into seasonal classes: summer, winter and all-season. The belonging of a tire to a particular class is determined by a mass of various criteria, the main of which is the tread pattern.
A summer tire has relatively shallow tread grooves; tread protrusions, as a rule, are of a large area, and they either do not have any or very few small slots (lamellas). Designed for dry weather.
The tread of a winter tire has a large pattern, with deep and wide grooves, with a large number of small slots that provide grip on slippery roads. Due to this pattern, the winter tire rolls rather hard and makes a lot of noise, in addition, it wears out quickly, because it is made of soft rubber.
Winter tires are divided into three main groups: studded (sold with studs installed at the factory; their operation without studs is undesirable), non-studded and those that can be used both in studded and non-studded versions (produced with sockets for studs; studding on service station) . Studded tires are definitely good on icy roads and snow - there is little chance of skidding and braking distances minimal. But on a clean hard surface, the spikes only get in the way: when braking, there is a danger of blocking the wheels and skidding, because the steel spikes glide well on the asphalt. Modern technologies allow you to create non-studded Winter tires, capable of holding on ice no worse than studded ones.
Winter tires are marked on the sidewall M + S, which means Mud + Snow (Mud + Snow); some manufacturers also write Winter (Winter).
All-season tires are marked on the sidewall with either All Seasons (All seasons) or Any Weather (Any weather). Some manufacturers get by with abbreviated versions of these inscriptions: AS and AW, respectively.
Rain: the main elements of the rain tire tread are a deep water evacuation channel that divides the tire into two half-tires (it turns out, as it were, two narrow tires in one wide one), and obliquely cut transverse grooves through which water is ejected from the contact patch, which dramatically reduces the likelihood of aquaplaning, i.e. e. sliding on the water film at high speed.
Off-road tires, like passenger cars, are also divided into seasonal classes, although for them the binding to the season is not a determining criterion. The main off-road tire is specialization in specific off-road conditions. Virgin snow, deep sand, swamp, rocks, etc. for each of these nominations, their own, highly specialized tire models are produced.
Tires of the highest classes are made according to special, racing technologies, which imply a sharp tightening of tire requirements in all respects: ultra-strong, ultra-wear resistant, super-fast, ultra-light on the go, etc.
Most manufacturers designate top class tires with the HP (High Performance) and UHP (Ultra High Performance) indices.
TIRE MARKING.
A lot of different designations are applied to the sidewall of the tire.
Type inscription 255/35 18 ZR. Sometimes the speed category is entered into the size designation, and then the inscription looks like this 255 / 35ZR18.
255 tire profile width expressed in millimeters. This is the linear distance between the outer sides of the sidewalls of the tire, measured at nominal inflation pressure, without taking into account the height of the marking relief.35 tire series. This is the ratio of the profile height (half the difference between the outside diameter of the tire and the mounting diameter of the rim) to the profile width, expressed as a percentage. Series one of the most important parameters defining driving performance tires; the lower it is, the racing tire. The design of the radial tires allows
- Goodyear EAGLE VECTOR EV-2
Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons
This is an all-weather rezion of the Goodier brand.
Do you want to choose a tire for your car, but do not understand tire markings well? It's not a problem! In this section, we will help you figure out what tire parameters are, what they mean, and which tire is right for your car.
Find tires / tire catalogDeciphering tire markings.
195/65 R15 91 T XL
195 is the tire width in mm.
65 - Proportionality, i.e. profile height to width ratio. In our case, it is equal to 65%. Simply put, with the same width, the larger this indicator, the higher the tire will be and vice versa. Usually this value is called simply - "profile".
Since the tire profile is a relative value, it is important to consider when choosing rubber that if you want to put tires with a size of 205/65 R15 instead of the size 195/65 R15, then not only the width of the tire will increase, but also the height! Which in most cases is unacceptable! (except when both of these sizes are indicated in the car's operating book). You can calculate the exact data on changing the outer dimensions of the wheel in a special tire calculator.
If this ratio is not indicated (for example, 185/R14С), then it is equal to 80-82% and the tire is called full profile. Reinforced tires with this marking are usually used on minibuses and light trucks, where a large maximum wheel load is very important.
R- means a tire with radial cord(in fact, now almost all tires are made this way).
Many mistakenly believe that R- stands for the radius of the tire, but this is precisely the radial design of the tire. There is also a diagonal design (indicated by the letter D), but recently it has practically not been produced, since it performance characteristics noticeably worse.
15 - diameter of the wheel (disk) in inches. (It is the diameter, not the radius! This is also a common mistake). This is the “landing” diameter of the tire on the disk, i.e. This inner size tires or outer disc.
91 - load index. This is the level of maximum permissible load on one wheel. For passenger cars, it is usually done with a margin and is not a decisive factor when choosing tires (in our case, IN - 91 - 670 kg.). For minibuses and small trucks, this parameter is very important and must be observed.
Tire load index table:
T- tire speed index. The larger it is, the faster you can drive on this tire (in our case, IS - H - up to 210 km / h). Speaking about the tire speed index, I would like to note that with this parameter, the tire manufacturer guarantees the normal operation of the rubber when the car is constantly moving at the specified speed for several hours.
Speed index table:
American tire markings:
There are two different markings for American tires. The first one is very similar to the European one, only the letters “P” are placed in front of the size (Passanger - for passenger car) or "LT" (Light Truck - light truck). For example: P 195/60 R 14 or LT 235/75 R15. And another tire marking, which is fundamentally different from the European one.
For example: 31x10.5 R15(corresponds to European size 265/75 R15)
31
is the outside diameter of the tire in inches.
10.5
- tire width in inches.
R- a tire of a radial design (older models of tires were with a diagonal design).
15
is the inner diameter of the tire in inches.
Generally speaking, if we do not count the inches that are unusual for us, then american labeling tires is logical and more understandable, unlike the European one, where the height of the tire profile is not constant and depends on the width of the tire. And here everything is simple with decoding: the first digit of the standard size is the outer diameter, the second is the width, the third is the inner diameter.
Additional information indicated in the marking on the sidewall of the tire:
XL or Extra Load- Reinforced tire, the load index of which is 3 units higher than that of conventional tires of the same size. In other words, if a given tire has a load index of 91 marked XL or Extra Load, then this means that with this index, the tire is able to withstand maximum load at 670 kg instead of 615 kg (see table of tire load indices).
M+S or M&S tire marking (Mud + Snow) - mud plus snow and means that the tires are all-season or winter. Many summer tires for SUVs are labeled M&S. However, these tires must not be used in winter time, because winter tires have a completely different rubber compound and tread pattern, and the M&S badge indicates good flotation performance.
All Season or AS all season tires. Aw (Any Weather) - Any weather.
Pictogram * (snowflake)- rubber is designed for use in harsh winter conditions. If this marking is not on the sidewall of the tire, then this tire is intended for use only in summer conditions.
Aquatred, Aquacontact, Rain, Water, Aqua or pictogram (umbrella)- special rain tires.
outside and inside; asymmetric tires, i.e. It is important not to confuse which side is the outside and which is the inside. When installing, the Outside inscription must be on the outside of the car, and Inside on the inside.
RSC(RunFlat System Component) - runflat tires- these are tires on which you can continue to drive a car at a speed of no more than 80 km / h with a FULL drop in pressure in the tire (in case of a puncture or cut). On these tires, depending on the manufacturer's recommendations, you can drive from 50 to 150 km. Various manufacturers tires use different RSC technology designations. For example: Bridgestone RFT, Continental SSR, Goodyear RunOnFlat, Nokian Run Flat, Michelin ZP, etc.
rotation or arrow this marking on the sidewall of the tire indicates a directional tire. When installing the tire, you must strictly observe the direction of rotation of the wheel, indicated by the arrow.
Tubeless - tubeless tire. In the absence of this inscription, the tire can only be used with a camera. Tube Type - indicates that this tire must be used only with a tube.
Max Pressure; maximum allowable tire pressure. Max Load - the maximum allowable load on each wheel of the car, in kg.
Reinforced or the letters RF in the size (for example 195/70 R15RF) means that this is a reinforced tire (6 layers). The letter C at the end of the size (for example 195/70 R15C) indicates truck tire(8 layers).
Radial - this marking on the rubber in the standard size means that this is a radial tire design. Steel means that there is a metal cord in the tire structure.
Letter E(in a circle) - the tire meets the European requirements of ECE (Economic Commission for Europe). DOT (Department of Transportation - US Department of Transportation) is an American quality standard.
Temperature A, B or C heat resistance of tires at high speeds on a test bench (A is the best indicator).
Traction A, B or C- the ability of the tire to brake on a wet roadway.
Treadwear; relative expected mileage compared to a specific US standard test.
TWI (Tread Wear Indication)- Tire tread wear indicators. The marking on the TWI wheel can also be with an arrow. Pointers are located evenly in eight or six places around the entire circumference of the tire and show the minimum allowable tread depth. The wear indicator is made in the form of a protrusion with a height of 1.6 mm (the minimum tread value for light vehicles) and is located in the tread recess (usually in the drainage grooves).
DOT- Encoded manufacturer's address, tire size code, certificate, issue date (week/year).
