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 a radial cord (in fact, almost all tires are made this way now).
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 its performance is 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. is the inside size of the tire or the outside of the rim.
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” (Passanger - for a passenger car) or “LT” (Light Truck - light truck) are placed before the size. 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, except for inches that are unusual for us, the American tire marking 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 a maximum load of 670 kg instead of 615 kg (see the 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, as 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 are tires on which you can continue driving a car at a speed of no more than 80 km / h with a FULL pressure drop in the tire (due to a puncture or cut). On these tires, depending on the manufacturer's recommendations, you can drive from 50 to 150 km. Different tire manufacturers use different designations for RSC technology. 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 a 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).
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1. What needs to be done?
Choosing the right rims for an existing car, along the way, sorting out all the necessary parameters.
2. What disk parameters should be taken into account when buying?
Regardless of what kind of car you have, when choosing new wheels, you need to consider the following parameters:
- disk type;
- mounting (or landing) diameter;
- number and diameter of mounting holes (PCD);
- disk width;
- disk offset (ET);
- diameter of the central (hub) hole;
- the shape of the mounting holes;
- the presence of humps.
Let's make a reservation right away: if by this moment you have no desire to deal with all these parameters, when choosing disks, simply use the car selection service in large online stores. There you can, simply by specifying the model of your machine, get disks that are guaranteed to suit it in all respects. Well, if the determination to find out everything is still with you, then let's get started.
3. Disc type - what are they
All discs are generally divided into three types according to the type of manufacture: stamped, cast and forged. The question of choosing a particular type is a topic for a separate material, but here we will present the main differences.
stamped discs- the cheapest: these are the same wheels that you see on the basic trim levels of budget cars, and they are usually covered with plastic decorative caps. They are made of steel and painted with enamel. Among their advantages, in addition to the lowest price, is high maintainability. The fact is that stamped discs do not break upon impact, but crumple, and subsequently they can be easily repaired. The main disadvantage of such wheels is their high weight and lack of design: this is a purely functional product.
Alloy wheels compete with stamped ones in popularity. Such discs are not made of steel, but of a lighter alloy - usually aluminum. Thanks to the manufacturing technology, alloy wheels can have a wide variety of shapes, which, combined with a lighter weight than the “stamps”, ensures their popularity. Among the disadvantages of such wheels, one can mention a higher price and lower maintainability: alloy wheels do not crumple, but crack when hit hard. Of course, the technology of welding repair and rolling has long been mastered, but it is impossible to guarantee the preservation of the original properties after repair.
Forged wheels- the most high-quality and expensive option. They are produced by hot die forging, which provides the best internal structure of the metal and, accordingly, the highest strength with the lowest weight. The downside of this method is the low prevalence of products and the high price.
In addition to the above three types, there are also so-called prefabricated disks - but this is already exotic, and we will not touch on them. In general, for the average car owner, the choice is between inexpensive but boring stamped wheels and more expensive and beautiful alloy wheels.
4. Mounting (landing) diameter
This is quite an obvious parameter: the diameter of the circumference of the disk in inches. As a rule, it is denoted by the letter R: that is, the R 17 disc has a diameter of 17 inches.
We note in particular: the letter R itself does not refer to the diameter and came from the parameters of the tires, where it is also mistakenly used in the meaning of "radius", in reality, implying the landing diameter of the tire. In the case of the R tire, this is the marking of the radial construction of the cord, but for the disc, this marking is actually not relevant. However, the erroneous "radius" in the meaning of "diameter" and the accompanying R have become so ingrained in speech that most sellers and services for selecting discs are already used by default.
The allowable rim diameters for your vehicle are listed in the owner's manuals and on stickers in the doorways - along with recommended tire pressures. When buying tires, it is worth remembering that their landing diameter must match the diameter of the disks.
It is not recommended to exceed the maximum diameter specified by the manufacturer: too large discs, in addition to potential geometric incompatibility, change the parameters of the suspension, affecting the wear of the chassis. In addition, the larger the disc and the lower the rubber profile, the less comfort promises movement on bad roads. However, changes in diameter within the limits specified in the manual, and even an inch over, as a rule, pass without significant consequences.
5. Number and diameter of mounting holes (PCD)
This is the so-called “bolt pattern”: the number of holes and the diameter of the circle on which they are located (by the way, the English PCD is just the diameter of the circle, “Pitch Circle Diameter”). The number of mounting bolts can be different and increases with the growth of the mass and speed of the car: usually there are 4-6 of them, but it can be more or less (minimum 3). Most VAZ cars have a 4x98 bolt pattern, with the exception of Oka (3x98) and Niva (5x139.7), as well as new models like Largus (4x100).
Disc bolt pattern must be observed: despite the fact that some discs - for example, 4x98 and 4x100 - seem to be interchangeable, they are not. A seemingly insignificant 2 mm difference in the diameter of the circle on which the mounting holes lie will greatly affect the installation: only one of the four fasteners will be correctly tightened, and the rest will be offset from the center, causing the wheel to beat. In part, the problem can be solved by using bolts with a “floating cone” (more on them below), but in general, the use of discs with inappropriate bolt patterns should be avoided.
6. Disc width
This parameter is as simple as the diameter: it is the width of the wheel in inches. Usually in the list of parameters it is denoted by the letter J: for example, 5.5J is a disk with a width of five and a half inches.
The width of the disc, as a rule, is indicated in the same places as the allowable bore diameter, along with it. In addition to the geometric parameters for a car, the width of the disk is also important when choosing tires: the tire is designed to be used with a disk of a certain width, but with some allowable error.
7. Drive out
Disc overhang is the distance from the mating plane of the disc attachment to the hub to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the disc. Let's put it simply: the central axis of symmetry is the line dividing the disk in half along the width described above, and the mating plane is the point where the disk comes into contact with the hub and is screwed to it.
The offset can be positive, zero and negative: if the axis of symmetry lies closer to the car than the attachment plane, then the offset is positive, if they are on the same axis, then the offset is zero, and if the axis of symmetry is more distant from the car than the attachment plane, then positive . In other words, the longer the overhang, the deeper the disc sits in the wheel arch, and the smaller it is, the more the disc protrudes outward.
Departure is a rather important parameter: it also directly affects the operation of the suspension and wheel bearings. Incorrect offset not only increases or decreases the track, but can also cause accelerated wear on the undercarriage and bearings.
8. Diameter of the central (hub) hole
The diameter of the central hole is a parameter that does not need additional explanation. In the list of disk characteristics, it is usually referred to as "Dia", "DIA", or "D". This is also an extremely important indicator: if the central hole of the disc is smaller than required, the disc simply cannot be installed, and if it is larger, then centering rings will be required to center the disc on the hub.
Many people mistakenly believe that when installed, a disk with a too large center hole will center itself on the hub due to the tightening of the bolts, but this is not the case. Accordingly, the beating and vibration that do not disappear after balancing the wheels is a reason to check the coincidence of the diameters of the central hole of the disk and the hub and the presence of centering rings, if necessary.
9. Shape of fixing holes
The shape of the mounting holes is important in terms of the type of bolts or nuts that will be attached to the disc. As a rule, bolts and nuts for stamped discs have only a slightly conical shape of the plane adjacent to the disc when tightened, and the bolts are also noticeably shorter.
The latter is related to the minimum thickness of the stamped disk. A cast disc is noticeably thicker than a stamped one, and in addition, its mounting hole has a more pronounced conical shape, which requires the use of other fasteners. In addition to the conical, the seat of the mounting hole of some disks can be designed for the use of fasteners with a hemispherical and flat working part.
And one more thing: there are bolts with the so-called "floating cone": they allow you to partially compensate for the slight discrepancy between the PCD disc and the required parameters. The working conical part of such bolts is made in the form of a separate ring, put on the bolt, and is displaced relative to the longitudinal axis of the bolt when tightened.
10. Having humps
Hampas- These are the protrusions on the outer surface of the disc that fix the tubeless tire to the disc. Remember the pops that are heard when the tire changer inflates the tire after mounting on the rim? This is the moment of “landing” of the tire: the bead ring of the tire sits between the hump and the rim of the disk. In fact, this indicator is listed last in our material, because at present it is practically irrelevant: almost all modern disks are designed for tubeless tires and have humps.
However, if you, for example, decide to purchase retro discs of a respectable age, please note that they may well be designed to install exclusively tube tires without humps. However, tubeless tires can be installed on them, however, the issue of her tight fit, as well as driving safety, will remain open: with insufficient tire pressure, the risk of “taking off your shoes” in a turn will be very high.
It is sometimes not easy for many novice motorists to choose for their iron friend on their own. This is because their marking reflects a large number of parameters and characteristics. This article will discuss the methodology for deciphering the size of the disk and choosing it for the car.
Reading Characteristics
The entire line of parameters printed on the disk can be divided into several components. It might look something like this: 7jx16 H2 5x130 ET20 d74.1. To decipher the size of the disk, you need to consider each element in order.
It is worth noting that sometimes the location of the parameters in the string can change places and slightly differ in characters. But the general algorithm for decrypting the size of a disk on a car is always the same.
Width
Wheel width is in inches and comes first on the specification line. In fact, this is one of the determining parameters when choosing. Based on this value, the tire width will be selected in the future. Marking examples: 8.5 12, 9.5.
Experienced drivers claim that the greater width significantly affects the handling and dynamics of the car.
Edge design marker
Immediately after the number with the width of the disk, the letter value follows. As a rule, for a car enthusiast, it carries little information and is used mainly by service specialists. In most cases, it is marked with the letter J. But it can also be JJ, K, JK, B, P, D.
Disc diameter
In rim dimensions, the bead flange design symbol is followed by the numeric value of the diameter in inches. It is also one of the main parameters. Changing the diameter of the disk in a larger direction can also change the size of the tire used. And this, in turn, will have an impact on handling on the track. For example, on low-profile tires, all the bumps in the road will be clearly felt, and the entire load will fall on the shoulders of the suspension.
Hampas
Next in order is the designation of humps. These are protrusions along the edges, which allow you to more securely mount the tire. They can take the values H, H2, X. Here H is a regular hump, X is a truncated one. The coefficient after it is the number of sides on which the hump is located.
PCD
The next parameter in order is sometimes referred to as PCD. It is marked something like this: 5x130. The first digit in the entry shows the number of disk mounting bolts, and the second - the diameter on which they are located in millimeters. This is one of the most important parameters when deciphering disk sizes.
The values can vary within very small ranges, up to tenths of a millimeter. Therefore, if the characteristic is not matched exactly, there is a possibility that the bolts will not be able to fall into place. As a result, the fastener will not be tight. This means that you will then have to carry out frequent balancing and repairs.
Departure
This parameter consists of numbers and letters. Maybe so - ET20. In short, it means the distance between the plane of the disk and Can be negative and positive. The first option will visually make the disk more convex relative to the car. The second is deep.
A significant change in disc offset affects the steering axle offset, increases bearing wear and, in some cases, worsens handling. Auto manufacturers strictly regulate the size of the permissible departure and grossly violating it means hitting some parameters of the car, which may worsen.
Center hole diameter
It is measured in millimeters and is indicated by letters and numbers. For example, so - d85. When deciphering the size of the disk, you should pay special attention.
Extra options
When deciphering the size of disks, other characteristics can be used. For example, the maximum disk load. Passenger cars use discs with a margin of safety, which should be enough for its needs. But if it turns out that it will be moved to another type of equipment, for example, an SUV, then the nearest small hole can damage the disc.
The load is usually specified in pounds. To get kilograms from them, you need to divide the existing value by 2.2.
When deciphering the dimensions of alloy wheels and subsequent installation, it may not fit the car. This state is called the X factor. And it is connected with the fact that alloy wheels can be of the most diverse shapes, while fully complying with the declared and required dimensions. Therefore, in order to avoid buying an unsuitable model, it should first be installed on the car, at least for a couple of bolts and slightly scrolled. If nothing interferes, does not rest, then the disk is ideal for a car.
How to choose the right disk?
In addition to technical characteristics, aesthetic properties, as well as the method of manufacture, can affect the choice.
Appearance is chosen based on personal preferences. Some people like more needles, some like fewer petals.
It is also worth knowing that wheels are divided into two broad categories: steel and alloy wheels.
Steel or stamped are made from a sheet of metal, subsequently connected by welding. This approach can significantly reduce the cost of production. In addition, steel wheels are easier to repair and rebuild. Although this is required quite rarely, as they have good strength. On the other hand, the stamped approach generates inaccuracies in production, which promises problems with subsequent balancing. Also, the significant weight of steel increases the overall mass.
Alloy wheels are lightweight. The process of their production allows you to create a wide variety of shapes and designs. They cost a little more, but as a result, aesthetics and practicality take such discs far ahead.
The light-alloy look is also in turn divided into two categories: cast and forged. The first type has a granular structure, which makes the product fragile. This is a known problem with alloy wheels. With prolonged use on rough roads, they tend to split.
The forged disc has a fibrous structure, which gives it special plasticity and prevents the disc from forming chips and cracks. It is very difficult to deform or destroy it.
A small decryption example
It is worth disassembling the markings on a single product. For example, to decrypt the sizes of disks on Valdai. There is such a designation - 17x6 6x222.25 Et115 Dia160. Here the wheel diameter in inches comes first. It is followed by the width under which the tires are selected.
Then follows the number of bolts and the diameter on which they are placed. These are 6 and 222.25 respectively. Et115 is the disc offset. In this case, it means that it is 115 mm inward from the mounting plane. That is, the disk is convex.
Dia160 is the diameter of the central hole in millimeters.
Finally
Careful decoding when choosing them will allow you to accurately select the necessary parameters and not become a victim of an unreasonable purchase. Knowing about their characteristics will be useful not only for novice motorists, but also for more experienced ones.
When selecting discs, it is necessary to take into account the parameters and quality car rims. Rims and wheels in general are considered a very important part of a car, respectively. selection of wheels must be accurate. Since well-chosen and correctly selected car rims will affect the level of contact of the car with the road surface, the smoothness of the ride and the ease of control in the future. In addition, from the choice of certain rims will depend on the trajectory of the braking distance. For accurate and correct selection of disks for a car, it is necessary to know all the parameters of the disk. After all, only the right parameters will help determine the wheels for your car, as well as significantly improve the aerodynamic qualities of the car and prevent premature tire wear.
Select rims by car make
When selecting car rims it is necessary to take into account a number of mounting parameters, which include the center distance to the hub, the width of the rim, the diameter and density of the axial hole of automobile disks. In order to independently determine all these parameters, you must have sufficient experience and skills, or spend time studying all these data and all sorts of nuances.
It has long been known that car wheels are almost a quarter of the total surface area of the car. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that most car owners strive to give their car ambition and individuality, while trying to choose wheels for cars, which will be the most suitable for the needs of motorists. Today, most car owners use cast wheel rims therefore, a large demand creates an offer. Such a variety of proposed models can greatly complicate the selection process. That is why the correct selection of the parameters of car rims is considered necessary in order to be able to evaluate the whole picture as a whole.
Today, selling tires and alloy wheels is more of a matter of trust. Because if you take into account a huge number of disc manufacturers and tires, buyers are often confused at the time of selection. Besides selection of wheels It is considered a rather complicated process that requires certain knowledge and skills in this area, since the choice also concerns the load and other permissible vehicle parameters.
Eg, stamped car rims are considered the cheapest of all existing types of rims. That is why such models of rims are installed mainly on budget cars. In addition, it is these rims that are considered the most durable and practically indestructible. Therefore, unlike all other existing types of automobile wheels, only stamped rims do not unfold during a strong impact, but only bend. Stamped car wheels are very easy to restore, after which they are used further.
How to choose the right wheels for the car?
To make the right choice and choose the right rims, in addition to knowing all the important parameters, it is necessary to distinguish between types of disks. In addition to the cheapest stamped wheels, there are also alloy wheels, the main advantage of these light alloy wheels their relative lightness is considered. Standard cast wheels, which are made of aluminum, are about a kilogram lighter than iron car rims.
In addition, cast wheels are almost completely resistant to corrosion, and besides, the manufacturing technology of these wheels provides an excellent opportunity to give them absolutely any shape, and this is too important for design.
It’s just that you shouldn’t idealize cast car wheels, because if an iron disk breaks, you can reanimate it very easily, but if microcracks appear on the cast car disk or the disk just cracked, unfortunately, this cannot be corrected and restored.
In addition to stamped and cast car wheels, there are also forged wheels. This type of rims is considered the same stamping, only hot. At the time of production of forged wheels, manufacturers use magnesium and aluminum alloys. Of all existing types of car rims forged wheels are considered the easiest. The difference between forged wheels and alloy wheels is that at the moment of impact, they do not crack, forged wheels simply bend, which is why they can always be repaired.
But if a motorist wants his car to look stylish, fashionable and beautiful, forged wheels will not be a very suitable option.
Recently stamped and forged car rims have been replaced by cast rims. Experts say that competent conduct selection of alloy wheels showcase your great sense of style. And it is simply impossible to argue with this, because the selection of rims is a necessary and important detail for any car, and besides, it is part of the image component. Therefore, most modern car owners do not save at all on the purchase of high-quality rims and do the right thing.
Internet shop of tires and disks "Dilijans" offers motorists a huge selection of high-quality car rims for various car brands.
