Side Wall Lettering

Side Wall Lettering, Standard Tire

Example: Continental ContiPremiumContact 2

1. 1
   Size Designation

   • For example B. 205/55 R 16.
2. 2
   Position of Tread Wear Indicators (TWI)
3. 3
   Manufacturer (Trade Name)
4. 4
   Construction

   • Radial - radially-oriented fibers in carcass
   • Tubeless - Identifier for tubeless tires
5. 5
   Load Index/Speed Rating

   • For example 91.
   • For example H.
6. 6
   Specified Direction of Travel of Tire/Assembly Tool
7. 7
   Maximum Permissible Load

   • Specifications for North America only
8. 8
   Maximum Permissible Tire Pressure

   • Specifications for North America only
9. 9
   Number of Ply Layers in the Center of the Tread and in the Sidewalls and Information About the Material
10. 10
    ER Number = Approval Number

    • The tires fulfill all European guidelines.
11. 11
    Manufacturing Code/Date of Manufacture

    • Identification number for manufacturer's factory, tire size and tire model
    • Tire age/date of manufacture.
12. 12
    DOT - Department of Transportation

    • Tire meets the guidelines of the American traffic authorities
13. 13
    Designation for Brazil, INMETRO
14. 14
    Identification for China, CCC
15. 15
    Country of Manufacture

    • For example: Made in Germany
16. 16
    Safety Notes for Use or Fitting of Tires
17. 17
    Tread Wear Index - Resistance to Abrasion

    • based on a US standard test
18. 18
    Traction Rating - Evaluation of Wet Braking Ability A, B or C

    • according to US test
19. 19
    Temperature Resistance Index A, B or C

    • according to US test
20. 20
    Identifying Run-Flat Tires

    • For example, Self Supporting Runflat
    • Identifying run-flat tires.
21. 21
    Tread Designation

    • For example, ContiPremiumContact

Run-Flat Tire (PAX), Lettering On Side Wall

In contrast to conventional tires, other designations are found on the tire flanks of PAX tires. In this way, these tires can be allocated clearly.

PAX Tires, Designations

245 - Tire width in millimeters

690 - Outer diameter in millimeters

R - Radial construction

500 - Designated diameter on standard rim seat

A - Tire quality grading for PAX tires (A- "asymmetrical") because both rim seats have different diameters.

99 - Indicator of maximum load permitted for this tire (99 = 1550 kg (1.7 tons))

Y - Speed code letter ("Y") corresponds to a permitted maximum speed of 300 km/h.

Tire Dimension

Tire Dimension Explanation

Tires	Speed	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Summer tires	up to 240 km/h	195	65	R	15	91	V	-
Winter tires	Up to 160 km/h	195	65	R	15	91	Q	M + S
Winter tires	Up to 190 km/h	195	65	R	15	91	T	M + S
High speed tires	Over 240 km/h	225	50	ZR	16	91	-	-

1. 1
   Tire width
2. 2
   Aspect ratio in %
3. 3
   Tire construction code "R" (means radial)
4. 4
   Rim diameter designation
5. 5
   Load index (LI)
6. 6
   Speed Rating
7. 7
   Winter tire/designation for all-season tire

Load index (LI)

The load capacity index can be found on the sidewall of the tire. It provides information about the maximum load that the tire can bear.

The load capacity index is located in the size designation, e.g. 195/65 R 15 91T, of the tire. It is indicated on the tire as a code according to ETRTO. The following table shows the load capacity index with the corresponding load capacity of the tires.

Load Index	Maximum Load of Tire
75	387 kg (853.18 lbs)
78	425 kg (936.96 lbs)
79	437 kg (963.42 lbs)
80	450 kg (992.08 lbs)
81	462 kg (1018.53 lbs)
82	475 kg (1047.19 lbs)
83	487 kg (1073.65 lbs)
84	500 kg (1102.31 lbs)
85	515 kg (1135.38 lbs)
86	530 kg (1168.45 lbs)
87	545 kg (1201.51 lbs)
88	560 kg (1234.58 lbs)
89	580 kg (1278.68 lbs)
90	600 kg (1322.77 lbs)
91	615 kg (1355.84 lbs)
92	630 kg (1388.91 lbs)
93	650 kg (1433 lbs)
94	670 kg (1477.09 lbs)
95	690 kg (1521.19 lbs)
96	710 kg (1565.28 lbs)
97	730 kg (1609.37 lbs)
98	750 kg (1653.46 lbs)
99	775 kg (1708.58 lbs)
100	800 kg (1763.69 lbs)
101	825 kg (1818.81 lbs)
102	850 kg (1873.92 lbs)
103	875 kg (1929.04 lbs)
104	900 kg (1984.16 lbs)
110	1060 kg (2336.9 lbs)
112	1120 kg (2469.17 lbs)

Speed Rating

Speed Rating/Maximum Speed

Speed Rating	High Speed
L	120 km/h
M	130 km/h
N	140 km/h
P	150 km/h
Q	160 km/h
R	170 km/h
S	180 km/h
T	190 km/h
U	200 km/h
H	210 km/h
V	240 km/h
ZR	Over 240 km/h
W	270 km/h
Y	300 km/h

Winter Tires with Speed Rating "V".