Talk:Tire code

Naming and spelling
Yes, merge. (or possibly delete the other page) I started the other one because I can spell tyre properly ;-) this one needs an English spelling reference too MikesPlant 14:46, 17 April 2006 (UTC)

155/SR13?
Can anyone tell me what a 155/SR13 tire is? No one around where I live has heard of one. My 88 Corolla needs a set of front tires and 155/SR13 is the stock sizing. Would a 155/80-13 work? 156.34.156.212 21:34, 27 October 2006 (UTC)


 * Well, if the number after the slash is omitted, it's generally assumed to be 82% - so yeah - I'd expect a 155/80 to be just fine. I don't know what the 'S' is all about though. SteveBaker 22:43, 27 October 2006 (UTC)


 * I have a vague memory that 'S' in that position means the "standard" 82%, but don't have a source offhand.


 * S is the speed rating of the tyre

—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 219.89.129.194 (talk) 09:58, 11 April 2007 (UTC).

215/70TR15
what does the TR stand for?--137.146.145.134 00:05, 28 January 2007 (UTC)


 * T is the speed rating of the Tyre

Special Trailer (ST) codes
What are "special trailer" tires? --Una Smith 02:09, 4 November 2007 (UTC)

They are... special tires for trailers!

Seriously, they are typically bias ply tires with stiffer sidewalls to reduce sway. They're often more expensive but tougher than passenger or light truck tires, since trailers usually don't have the sophisticated suspension systems used on cars or trucks. Captain Packrat (talk) 18:59, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Tractor tire sizes?
Is there an explanation of tractor tire sizes anywhere? They are normally in the format 14.9-24 or 6.50-16

I suppose the second number is the size of the rim. but I don't know what the first number represents.

I'm trying to find options for the front wheels on my tractor, the current tires just don't work for me. They are a 3 rib design, and the problem is, they dig into the ground too much, and I get stuck very easy, especially with anything in my loader. I notice that cars, trucks, and my van... even cement trucks never get stuck, and they all have wider, flat tires, so I'm thinking if I can get a wider car or truck tire to fit on my tractor rims, I would have more surface area to hold up my tractor and it wouldn't dig the front wheels in so much. The tires on there are 6.50 - 16 but they could be a bit wider. If I could understand the size I have, maybe I could find something else that would work.

Jim —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.40.73.239 (talk) 11:57, 18 January 2008 (UTC)


 * This page seems to cover tractor tyre codes: http://www.millertire.com/FAQs.asp -- someone ought to add information about tractor tyres to this article. It says:
 * If your tire size has two sets of numbers (6-12, 5.00-15, 11.2-24…) the first number (5.00-15) is the approximate width in inches; the second number (5.00-15) is the rim diameter. If your tire size has three sets of numbers (15/6.00-6, 26/12.00-12, 31/15.50-15) the first number (26/12.00-12) is the approximate height, the second number (26/12.00-12) is the width, and the third number (26/12.00-12) is the rim size. SteveBaker (talk) 23:39, 20 January 2008 (UTC)

Numeric and alphanumeric
The general "tire size" topic would not be complete without mentioning pre-"P-metric" sizes. Take a look at if you're wondering what I'm talking about.69.210.14.71 (talk) 19:12, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

In the UK we don't have vehicle class
On all the tyres I have seen in the UK they don't have a vehicle class digit. Mabey someone might consider that in making this artical more worldwide. --Siripswich (talk) 18:38, 16 April 2008 (UTC)

TIN
A redirect Tire identification number (TIN) points here, but is not explained. + m t  01:06, 26 May 2009 (UTC)

Tire maximum speed
'''In the European community, tires that are not fit for a car's or motorcycle's particular maximum speed are illegal to mount. The sole exception are M+S tires, where a warning sticker stating the allowed maximum speed must be placed within clear sight of the driver inside the vehicle.'''

I don't think this statement is correct for the whole EU. In Finland it is mandatory to have "winter" tires during Dec-Feb, but it is not regulated that any warning sign for lower speed rating tires is needed. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.81.162.66 (talk) 06:43, 30 October 2009 (UTC)

I do know it is mandatory in Germany, had a rental car with just such a sticker. I'll edit the article to say "many." --Drmemory (talk) 10:33, 19 July 2011 (UTC)

Plan for improvement
I plan to improve this article by adding references for unreferenced statements and clarifying the title. Tire codes can refer to the size of the tire and similar notations. However, the DOT code is very specific. It's the manufacturer, factory, and date code written in a string of letters and numbers. This isn't clear in the article but it will be after I work on it. Suomi Finland 2009 (talk) 19:44, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

Speed matter
--Sluchino (talk) 22:35, 7 April 2010 (UTC) I have a question, if anyone can give me an answer: How important for the car a number of speed matter for exmpl. V93 or H91. Is it only speed matter or it can affect the parts of the car if you use the wrong number (manufacturing number). And if anybody has answer can I have a resource of the information?

If you are still alive ;-) the letter is the speed code -- the number is the load rating. You had best not use tires of a lower load rating unless you look up the max load in pounds for your current tire at current PSI, and see what PSI is needed for the lower load rating tire to carry the same load. You likely have to raise the PSI. This is a tricky business as you are affecting handling.--Drmemory (talk) 10:30, 19 July 2011 (UTC)

Proposed merge with UTQG

 * support - UTQG is a tiny stub article, pulling its content into Tire code improves both of them. SteveBaker (talk) 12:18, 18 October 2010 (UTC)

I agree with Steve Baker. Consolidation of this information would be helpful. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.238.232.226 (talk) 20:43, 3 January 2011 (UTC)

The UTQG is being phased out and will be gone shortly, I am told by Bridgestone.--Drmemory (talk) 10:17, 19 July 2011 (UTC)


 * support It is probably time > 6 years to pull the potential subsection into here.


 * Oppose Uniform Tire Quality Grading has become a substantial article that would take up a lot of space in this article, which is also substantial. Also it appears not to have gone away, as suggested by Drmemory. Cheers, HopsonRoad (talk) 01:40, 10 May 2019 (UTC)

M+S NOT a winter tire
The article states "

M+S, or M&S: ......A winter tire even if it doesn't have the snowflake and mountain symbol. Spike tires have an additional letter, "E" (M+SE). "

At least in Canada, in jurisdictions that mandate winter tires, a winter tire is ONLY a winter tire for legal purposes if it has the mountain and snowflake emblem. There is absolutely no comparison in performance between a M+S tire and a true winter tire. A Civic or a Corolla can easily drive in 20 cm of snow (and STOP)with real winter tires. Try driving on packed snow at 90 km/h at -20C with M+S tires and see how secure you feel.

Tim Keenan (Northern British Columbia) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 207.6.10.184 (talk) 00:28, 30 March 2011 (UTC)


 * The above needs further research and comment. While I agree with the previous editor on his example of usage in serious snow, the definitions, rules or laws regarding "M+S" and "mountain and snowflake" logos/emblems need expansion and clarification. --TGC55 (talk) 02:21, 4 July 2011 (UTC)

Although there is no question that the Mountain Snowflake Pictograph marked tires are better, the M+S marking is legal in some jurisdictions in Canada — ref:https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/traveller-information/seasonal/winter-driving/about-winter-tires No winter tire laws exist in AB, SK or MB — I didn't check elsewhere MagisterVorpal (talk) 19:31, 27 December 2021 (UTC)

M+S is mud plus snow, and they are better than non-M+S tires in the mud or snow. They have a self-clearing tread that doesn't pack.

But the others are correct in the Mountain plus snowflake tire is a different animal. They are called "hi traction" tires and are required when many rocky mountain states require the use of chains or high-traction tires for some mountain passes. These are what used to be called "snow tires" when I was a kid in New Jersey. Big old noisy tread, not some slight M+S modification.

All of these are not to be confused with "studless studded tires" such as the Blizzak. This is a tire that performs like a studded tire on glare ice, but has no studs. It is just an M+S tire when it comes to snow. --Drmemory (talk) 10:25, 19 July 2011 (UTC)

Tire width
The brief paragraph on tire width is not helpful. No ordinary reader will have access to the TRA yearbook, even if he can find out what it is. Information or links on allowed wheel widths needs to be included. Lloyd Ewing (talk) 23:05, 29 September 2011 (UTC)

For example: The sticker on my truck indicated that the rim is 7" wide and 16" diameter (has been changed to 17" by a previous owner)and recommends 225/78R16: a width of about 50mm more than the rim. Input from an engineer of tire or automotive company would be helpful. Edward27821 (talk) 03:01, 18 June 2016 (UTC)
 * Reply
 * Perhaps there should an addition to the article stating the relationship between rim width and tire width.

... and height
I agree with Lloyd Ewing.

From observation:

it seems that the higher the first 3 digits are, the taller (greater diameter) the tire;

and the lower the next 2 digits, the wider the tire.

This observation is not correct.

From the explanation:

-for instance 265/70R17-

The width is 265mm and the height is 185.5mnm (70% of width) and fits a 17" rim.

The actual height(diameter) 17"+371mm or radius = 8.5"+185.5mm

So... The first 3 digits are the width of the tire and the next 2 digits indicate the height of the sidewall as a percentage of the width ... a very confusing way to indicate tire size. This could also be indicated as 265/185R17.

Edward27821 (talk) 04:03, 14 June 2016 (UTC)

Article seems to be missing explanation of "ZR" speed rating
ZR rated tires are mostly for top of the line high performance cars such as Corvettes, Vipers, Mustangs etc. Z meaning it is rated to handle speeds over 140+ mph with a very soft rubber compound for an automobile tire. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 174.138.196.67 (talk) 05:45, 6 January 2013 (UTC)

Fitment
Used apparently to mean either outfitting or fitting. This word does not appear in the dictionary with any logical application to tires or their mounting. It's an old word being used for some new slang. It is not for this article. 73.180.32.63 (talk) 23:18, 15 July 2015 (UTC)

Requested move 24 September 2020

 * The following is a closed discussion of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. Editors desiring to contest the closing decision should consider a move review after discussing it on the closer's talk page. No further edits should be made to this discussion. 

The result of the move request was: Not moved. -- Calidum 17:46, 30 September 2020 (UTC)

Tire code → Car tire code – This article is about tire codes for automobiles exclusively. To disambiguate from motorcycle tire code, bicycle tire code, etc. The current article name implies that the article is about tire codes in general. An alternative name to car tire code could be automobile tire code. Sauer202 (talk) 00:22, 24 September 2020 (UTC)
 * Oppose and add hatnotes. shows that it also applies to light trucks and trailers, and mentions motorcycle tire codes in a couple of places (e.g. that "B" means "Bias belted; tires for motorcycles"). (Incidentally, that heading could =be reworded per MOS:NOBACKREF.)  and  are redirects to Tire – we haven't specific articles about car tires, let alone their codes. Bicycle tire codes are discussed at, motorbike tire codes at . We don't seem to have specific info on heavy goods vehicle tyre codes or aircraft tyre codes (if they have them, I don't know). 94.21.252.157 (talk) 03:29, 24 September 2020 (UTC)
 * Oppose Simple title requires no disambiguation from other articles. HopsonRoad (talk) 16:23, 29 September 2020 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion
The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion: Participate in the deletion discussion at the. —Community Tech bot (talk) 11:15, 4 April 2021 (UTC)
 * Examples of different tire sidewall markings.png

How about this one? 255/720, load index 117
Width: 255 mm / 10 in

Diameter: 720 mm / 2 ft 4 in (greater than 200, so represents total diameter)

Max load: 1285 kg / 2833 lbs

Would this be correct? Furthermore, there is no construction code (e.g. R for radial). This tire is specifically designed for an armored vehicle, so could it be using a proprietary construction technique other than radial ply?

Spelling Ninja strikes again! (talk) 04:19, 7 April 2021 (UTC)

Additional Marks section
hello -
 * I think the Additional Marks section of this page ought to be in alphabetical order
 * ... or am I missing something ?

jw (talk) 14:56, 9 December 2021 (UTC)


 * It appears that it already is, jw, starting with punctuation, numbers and then letters. HopsonRoad (talk) 15:41, 9 December 2021 (UTC)


 * the letters appear to get muddled at the end TL, TT, VSB WSW, SFI, SFO .... I have corrected this 78.116.15.246 (talk) 16:33, 9 December 2021 (UTC) [the preceding comment was inadvertently unsigned by myself jw (talk) 21:24, 9 December 2021 (UTC)]


 * hello again HopsonRoad, After correcting my own hasty and botched telephone update, I believe all is now in order ! jw (talk) 21:34, 9 December 2021 (UTC)