Tyres are an essential part of your vehicle as they are the only material that connects your car to the road surface.
This is why motorists always have to ensure that their vehicle tyres are always in good condition.
All tyres contain some confusing markings on the sidewall, and while it can be confusing to comprehend, the information is very crucial.
The information includes the maximum speed the tyre can sustain safely, such as loads, safe pressure and other relevant safety measures.
Here we look at what the numbers on the tyres mean:
- 203/55/R20
In this case, the ‘203’ number refers to the width of the tyre, and it is measured in millimetres.
The ’55’ denotes the aspect ratio or profile of the tyre while the ‘R’ stands for radial construction (rarer bias-ply and belted tires are represented by a D and B, respectively).
The ’20’ means the tyre can fit perfectly to an 18-inch rim.
- 93W
The ‘102’ indicates the load capacity and how fast the tyre can run safely. In this regard, the 102 means the maximum load-rating while the ‘W’ indicates a 270 km/h top speed the tyre can be able to handle.
For example, if a tyre is rated ‘V’, it can only be able to sustain speeds of up to 240 km/h.
- M+S
This one is simple as it indicates Mud and Snow and it appears on applicable tyres. This means that the tyre can handle snowy and muddy situations.
- DOT
This indicates the dates when the tyre was manufactured. For example, DOTXXX1212 means the tyre was made in the 12th week of the year 2012.
- Treadwear 200
The numbers indicate how long the tyre is likely to last. The higher the number, the more km you are likely to get out of it.
- Brand Name
This is always printed in large font, and it is what is most visible on the tyre.
- Tyre rotation
This denotes the direction of the tyre rotation when fitted.
