READING THE TYRE MARKINGS
It is important to understand what your vehicle is saying to you. Yes, your vehicle speaks in sign language, and a good owner understands that. We often complain about the repair and maintenance of the vehicle, but it is important to understand that if we know our vehicle, we can reduce heavy damages. Tyres are one of the most significant components of the vehicle. They experience a lot of wear because they are exposed to different hazards and the outside environment. It is also recommended that one use the best types of tyres for their vehicle, and thus it is important to know how to read the sidewall of the Continental Tyres Coventry.
HOW TO READ THE SIDEWALLS OF TIRE
You must have noticed some words and numbers marked on the sidewall of the tyre. These random numbers tell you a lot about the tyres. Their size, description, construction, classification, etc., reveal much vital information about the tyre. A professional knows how to read these markings, and that is how they tell you everything about your tyres just by looking at them. Now, it’s time for you to be a tyre expert. Let’s understand what these numbers are and their significance in the tyre.
Size: The main advantage of knowing how to read a sidewall is knowing the size of the tyre. These days the type of the tyre is also marked on the sidewall. For example, a passenger tyre has ‘P’ marked on it. Similarly, 4×4 Tyres Coventry has additional markings on them.
Width: The width of the tyre is measured from sidewall to sidewall. It is important to know the tyre’s width to measure its effectiveness on the road and the amount of traction it can provide. The width of the tyre is measured in millimetres. Of all the numbers marked on the tyre, the first three-digit number indicates its width.
Aspect ratio: The percentage of section height of the tyre divided by its width tells us the aspect ratio. Since it is a ratio, it is measured in percentage. Therefore, it helps us in determining the height of the sidewall. It generally lies between 50 to 80.
Tyre construction: We often do not know about the tyre’s construction, but we can read it on the sidewall. An alphabet denotes it. Modern tyres used radial construction denoted by R. Earlier, tyres were also made up of diagonal construction and were denoted by D.
Diameter: To mount the tyres, it is important to know the diameter. The diameter of the wheel is measured in inches, and one can read about it on the sidewall.
Load IDEX: Each tyre has its ability to carry the load. This is known as the load-carrying capacity of the tyre, which is determined by the load index. This index is a different number of weights assigned to a letter. It varies from A to Z.
Extra load: Some vehicles are used for carrying goods, and thus they are designed to carry extra weight. It is then only logical to have tyres that can carry more load. Tyres that can carry more load than normal passenger tyres have XL marked on their sidewall.
Speed rating: Every tyre has a maximum speed that it can attain while carrying the load of the vehicle and passengers. It is known as the speed rating of the tyre, and an alphabet indicates it.
Date of manufacture: To know the age of the tyres, it is important to know their age. It is a good factor in deciding when to replace or change the tyre. If you have lost the vehicle manual and do not know the tyre’s age, you can look at the sidewall of the tyre. The age is written there, along with the brand’s name and other information.
