Passenger Vehicles Federal law requires tire manufacturers to place standardized information on the sidewall of all tires.

This information identifies and describes the fundamental characteristics of the tire and also provides a tire identification number for safety standard certification and in case of a recall. Passenger Vehicle - Sidewall uter !ircle Passenger Vehicle - Sidewall "nner !ircle #ight Truc$s - ther %ar$ings

Passenger Vehicle - Sidewall Outer Circle

P The &P& indicates the tire is for passenger vehicles. Nominal Width This three-digit number gives the width in millimeters of the tire from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. "n general' the larger the number' the wider the tire. Aspect Ratio This two-digit number' $nown as the aspect ratio' gives the tire(s ratio of height to width. )umbers of *+ or lower indicate a short sidewall for improved steering response and better overall handling on dry pavement. R The &,& stands for radial. ,adial ply construction of tires has been the industry standard for the past -+ years.

Rim diameter code This two-digit number is the wheel or rim diameter in inches. "f you change your wheel size' you will have to purchase new tires to match the new wheel diameter. Load index This two- or three-digit number is the tire(s load inde.. "t is a measurement of how much weight each tire can support. /ou may find this information in your owner(s manual. "f not' contact a local tire dealer. )ote0 /ou may not find this information on all tires because it is not required by law. Severe snow conditions The &%1S& or &%2S& indicates that the tire has some mud and snow capability. %ost radial tires have these mar$ings3 hence' they have some mud and snow capability. Speed Rating The speed rating denotes the speed at which a tire is designed to be driven for e.tended periods of time. The ratings range from 44 miles per hour 5mph6 to 789 mph. These ratings are listed below. )ote0 /ou may not find this information on all tires because it is not required by law. ! 7:4.;; $m2h -+4.-7 $m2h R 7*+.:4 $m2h V -;4.*4 $m2h S 78+.-: $m2h W -*+.;* $m2h " 784.4+ $m2h # -44.;< $m2h $ 744.:9 $m2h

=For tires with a ma.imum speed capability over 7<4 mph' tire manufacturers sometimes use the letters >,. For those with a ma.imum speed capability over 789 mph' tire manufacturers always use the letters >,.

Passenger Vehicle - Sidewall %nner Circle

$&S& 'O" "ire %denti(ication Num)er This begins with the letters &? T& and indicates that the tire meets all federal standards. The ne.t two numbers or letters are the plant code where it was manufactured' and the last four numbers represent the wee$ and year the tire was built. For e.ample' the numbers ;74* means the ;7st wee$ of 744*. The other numbers are mar$eting codes used at the manufacturer(s discretion. This information is used to contact consumers if a tire defect requires a recall. "ire Pl* Composition and +aterials $sed The number of plies indicates the number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tire. "n general' the greater the number of plies' the more weight a tire can support. Tire manufacturers also must indicate the materials in the tire' which include steel' nylon' polyester' and others. +aximum Load Rating This number indicates the ma.imum load in $ilograms and pounds that can be carried by the tire. +aximum Permissi)le %n(lation Pressure This number is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be put in the tire under normal driving conditions

Light "ruc,s - Other +ar,ings

L" - The &#T& indicates the tire is for light truc$s. +ax& Load 'ual ,g-l)s. at ,Pa-psi. Cold This information indicates the ma.imum load and tire pressure when the tire is used as a dual' that is' when four tires are put on each rear a.le 5a total of si. or more tires on the vehicle6. +ax& Load Single ,g-l)s. at ,Pa-psi. Cold This information indicates the ma.imum load and tire pressure when the tire is used as a single. Load Range This information identifies the tire(s load-carrying capabilities and its inflation limits.