A tire with a bead that protects the disc from damage. Useful information

Today, tire manufacturers offer a huge range of their products designed for different weather conditions and different operating conditions. And if you take for example any car and see what is written on the sidewall of the tire this car, then you can notice a large number of different inscriptions and designations that carry a lot of important and useful information. Let's try to look at an example:

For example: Michelin Energy Saver 215/60 R16 97T, where

Michelin - brandtires

energy saver - modeltires

215 - tire width, mm; (tire width is measured in millimeters)

60 - tire profile height, (tire height is measured as a percentage). This percentage tire height to tire width.In this case, 60% of the width of 215 mm is 129 mm, (i.e. the height of the tire turned out to be 129 millimeters).In some tire sizes, this indicator is not available, for example, 215 R16 C 105Q. Such tires are called full profile,and the ratio of the height of the tire to its width in this case is 80% or 82%. Typically designed for light truckstransport.

R - indicates that the design of the tireradial.

16 - indicates the diameter of the disc on which you can install a tire of this size

97 - index of permissible load on the tire in kg. Below is a load index table.

T - speed index. This indicator shows the maximum allowable speed at which the tire retains its performance characteristics. Below is a table of speed indices.

XL - (Extra load). This marking indicates that the tire has an increased margin of safety.

Load index table

Speed ​​index table

American tire label

For example: BF Goodrich All Terrain31X10.5R15 , Gde

BF Goodrich- Tire brand

31 - outer diameter of the tire in inches (1inch = 2.54cm)

10.5 - tire width in inches;

R- indicates that the tire design is radial;

15 is the inner diameter of the tire in inches.

Additional information that is applied to the sidewall of the tire.

Designation	Description	a photo
M+S	(Mud + Snow translates as "mud plus snow"). Tires with this designation can be used as winter or all-season
AS (AllSeason)	all seasontirefor any weather.
A.W. (Any weather)	all seasontirefor any weather.
"Snowflake"	involves the use of the tire in harsh winter conditions. The absence of such a pictogram indicates that the tires can only be used in summer conditions.
"Umbrella"	These tires are designed for rainy weather and are not subject to the hydroplaning effect.
rain,water,AQUA	These tires are designed for rainy weather and are not subject to hydroplaning effect.
rotation	directional tire. The direction of rotation of the tire is indicated by an arrow printed on its sidewall.
outside and inside	outside of the tire. The inscription itselfoutside should be with outer side car.This designation is used on asymmetric tires. InsideorsideFacingAwards - the inner side of the tire. The inscription itselfInsidemust be on the inside of the vehicle. This designation is used on asymmetric tires.
Left orRight	tires with this designation are left and right. Accordingly tires with the inscriptionLeft installed on the left side of the car, and with the inscriptionRight to the right.
Tubeless (TL)	tubeless tire.
Tube type ( TT)	tire with tube
Max Pressure	maximum allowable tire pressure, in kPa.
Max load
XL - (Extra Load)	reinforced tire.
" LT" (Light Trucks)	tires for light trucks, small commercial vehicles, minibuses and heavy SUVs.
Reinforcedor Reinf	reinforced tire (consists of 6 layers)
"C"	reinforced tire (consists of 8 layers)
"R" (Passenger)	tires for cars
Steel Radial or Steel belted	steel cord radial tire
MFS	(Maximum Flange Sheild). The system of maximum bead rim protection protects expensive wheels from damage against curbs and sidewalks - a rubber profile around the circumference of the tire, located on the lower part of the wall above the rim flange, forms a buffer zone.
run flat	(Running a Flat Tire) is a technology that allows your vehicle to continue moving after a puncture or flat tire. Even if the tire pressure is completely lost, this technology allows the car to travel at least 80 km more, at speeds up to 80 km/h. Reinforced tires, as a rule, have several layers of rubber with a heat-resistant cord in the side parts, which, with a complete loss of pressure, do not allow the sidewalls of the tire to fold or wrinkle. Each tire manufacturer has its own RUNFLAT technology label.

In addition to the name of the manufacturer, brand, tire model and its size, the following additional markers may be indicated on the sidewalls of a car tire:

Colored markings on the tire

Yellow marker on the tire sidewall (circle or triangle) determines the position of the lightest point on the tire. Alignment with the heaviest place on the disc (usually the nipple attachment point) during installation new tire improves wheel balance.

Red marker on the sidewall of the tire (circle or triangle) determines the place of maximum power inhomogeneity. Such a mark is usually applied to automobile tires of the primary (factory) vehicle configuration.

Colored longitudinal lines, printed on the tread, are used solely to facilitate the identification of the tire model (for example, in storage conditions).

digital stamp(usually white, in the center of a circle or triangle) on a car tire is the personal marker of the inspector who carried out the final inspection of the tire at the factory.

Tire marking of car manufacturers

Some tires are labeled with an alphanumeric code that indicates some features in the context of their use for installation on vehicles specific manufacturers or brands. Tires with this special marking differ from the standard of their model. Their characteristics are optimized for maximum performance on target vehicles.

When describing tires that have a special marking of the automaker, they often say "the tire is homologated" (from the English omologation-bringing specifications and parameters in accordance with the requirements of standards or requests). It is not uncommon for leading car manufacturers to homologate specific tire models for their vehicles, including original fittings. The homologation marker, in addition to the target indication, indicates the high quality of the tire, since in the process of improving the tire, it undergoes serious tests for compliance with world standards and the standards of the automaker.

Some specific vehicle manufacturer's labels restrict the use of tires for a specific vehicle, others point to general technical features use. For a correct understanding of the special markings, it is worth contacting specialists before buying. The following table shows the decoding of the most common designations.

TIRE MARKING:

Car tires are marked with an alphanumeric code that is printed on its side surface, for example, like this: 185/65 R1492T. Each letter and number defines the dimensions of the tire and its main characteristics. In some cases, additional letters are given before the code, indicating the type of vehicle for which the tire is intended. Yes, letter "R" is placed on tires designed for passenger cars (Passenger), and "LT"— small commercial (Light Trucks) vehicles.

So, the inscription on the sidewall of the tire 185/65 R1492T means the following:

185 - tire profile width in millimeters,

65 - the ratio of the height of the tire profile (from the landing rim to the outer edge of the wheel) to its width in percent%,

R- radial tire (Radial), with a radial arrangement of cord threads,

14 - tire diameter in inches (1 inch equals 2.54 cm),

92 - load index, means the maximum load on one tire,

T- speed index, means the maximum allowed speed.

The figure shows a tire, where there are the following symbols:

1) Tire model.

2) MAX LOAD- maximum load, kg or English pounds. MAX PRESSURE- maximum internal pressure in the tire, kPa.

3) Tire profile width in millimeters from bead to bead.

4) Profile height - the ratio of the bead height to the total tire width in percent. If this designation is absent, then it is usually equal to 82%.

5) R- radial tire (Radial).

6) The diameter of the rim the tire is designed for is measured in inches.

9) TWI- Tread wear indicator pointer. The indicator itself is a protrusion at the bottom of the tread groove. When the tread wears down to the level of this ridge, it's time to change the tire.

10) RF-(Runflat)- run flat technology, "restless" tire.

11) OUTSIDE or Side Facing Out(outer side of the installation), INSIDE or Side Facing Inwards (inner side of the installation) - for tires with an asymmetric tread pattern.

12) M+S (mud and snow) - winter and universal tires, Winter(winter), Rain(rain), water or Aqua(water), All Season North America(all-weather for North America), etc. - tires designed for use in specific conditions.

13) MADE IN - producing country.

14) TUBE TYPE (TT)- tube tire TUBELESS (TL) - tubeless tyre.

15) The lightest place on the tire.

16) ROTATION - the direction of rotation of the tire.

17) TREADWEAR 360 - wear resistance coefficient, is determined in relation to the "base tire", for which it is equal to 100. TRACTION A— adhesion coefficient, has the values ​​A, B, C. Coefficient A has the highest adhesion value in its class. TEMPERATURE A- temperature conditions, an indicator characterizing the tire's ability to withstand temperature effects. It, like the previous one, is divided into three categories A, B and C.

18) Tire manufacturer.

19) DOT - compliance with US standards, E17 - compliance with European standards (the number indicates the country of approval).

In addition, there is an additional tire marking:

FROM -(commercial) - light truck tire (example: 185 R14C) .

FR- Tire with rim protection.

XL(extra load = extra load) - reinforced tire with increased load capacity.

SL(standard load = standard load) - tire for nnormal use and load.

PLIES: TREAD — tread layer composition.

SIDEWALL — sidewall layer composition.

DA (stamp) — minor manufacturing defects that do not interfere with normal operation.

DISC MARKING:

Car rims are labeled as follows, for example, as:

7.5JxR17 ET34 PCD 5×120 DIA 72.6

7.5J is the width of the rim in inches.

R17 is the disc diameter in inches.

ET34- disc overhang, this is a parameter that determines the distance between the landing plane of the disc to the hub and the vertical plane of the middle of the disc width. Measured in millimeters.

PCD 5×120- the number of holes for bolts / nuts (in this case 5). The diameter of the circle (120mm) on which they are located, equidistant from each other, is called PCD (Pitch Circle Diameter).

DIA 72.6- diameter central hole, measured in millimeters.

Some manufacturers alloy wheels make DIA larger diameter than specified by the car manufacturer, and therefore adapter rings are used for centering on the car hub.

The sidewall of any tire is a place with a lot of markings and inscriptions that are incomprehensible to a simple user. Despite their abundance, you need to understand that each of the marks carries certain information, often critically important. What M+S or snowflake icon? Why is there an "outside" or "inside" lettering on the sidewall? What do Continental or Michelin branded markers mean? What tires are homologated (selected as original equipment) for Audi, Mercedes, Porsche and BMW? All this can be found in this article.

Let's start with a simple one, namely the size of the tire. Let's analyze the following popular size:

195/65R1591T

• 195 - tire profile width in mm. It is important to understand: the tread width is measured not by the width of the pattern (treadmill), but by the entire width of the tread tape, which, as a rule, is bent to the sidewall. Hence, by the way, a large number of appeals to dealers with claims about the mismatch of the declared size with the actual width. Most drivers are not aware of this “feature” of measurement.
• 65 - the ratio of the profile height to width, measured in%. If this indicator is absent in the lateral zone of the wheel (for example, the size looks like 185 / R14C), this means that the rubber is full-profile with a profile height of 80-82%.
• R - symbols for the radial construction of the tire cord. At the moment, 99.9% of all tires produced are radial. Many mistakenly call this indicator the radius.
• 15 - inner diameter of the tire. Must match that of the car's rim.
• 91 - load index. Indicates the level of permissible load on one wheel. For example, 91 = 670 kg per tire. It is important to understand that the load index is quite important, since in the same size the same model can have a different design, different weight.
• T is the speed index. The parameter indicates the speed mode at which the rubber guarantees the usual level of performance. Speed ​​index T = 190 km/h. However, this does not mean that you cannot drive over 190 km / h on this rubber. It is not recommended to continuously drive over 190 km/h.

American tire marking

Take the following size:

31x10.5 R15

• 31 is the outside diameter of the tire in inches.
• 10.5 is tire width in inches.
• R - a tire of a radial design, similar to the European system.
• 15 is the inner diameter of the tire in inches.

As you can see, the Americans approached the issue in a more practical way, without bothering drivers to calculate percentages, etc. However, in the USA you can also find tires with European markings.

What is M+S and 3PMSF

M+S(Mud and Snow) is a special marking on the sidewall of a car tire that has high performance in snow. But this does not automatically mean that the tires are winter or all-weather.
3PMSF- a snowflake against the background of three peaks. Denotes high performance on snowy road surfaces. This mark is on every winter tire and real all-season.

Additional markers

Tires approved for certain car brands or models (does not mean that other cars will not fit!)

(*) - Tires - approved for BMW

(A) - Renault - Espace IV 18""

(AR)-Alfa-Romeo

(ARR) - Alfa - Romeo - Racing

(AZ) - Alfa - Romeo/Fiat/Subaru/Toyota

(BL) - (CZ) - Subaru

(DZ) - Honda/Mazda/Toyota

(EZ) - Audi/Mazda 6

(JZ) - Seat/Subaru

(KZ)-Nissan/Toyota

(MZ)-Mitsubishi/Toyota

(PZ) - Ford/Mazda/Mercedes/VW

(SZ)-Mazda-MPV

(TZ) - Mazda - 6

(UZ) - Selected as original equipment for BMW 3/Skoda

A2A-Aston-Martin

A4A-Aston-Martin

AM4-Aston-Martin

AM6-Aston-Martin

AM8-Aston-Martin

AM9 - Selected as original equipment for Aston Martin Db9 Volante VA V8

AML-Aston Martin

AMP-Aston Martin

AMR - Aston Martin

AMS - Aston Martin

AMV - Aston Martin

AMX - Aston Martin

Alfa Romeo - Alfa Romeo

C1-Chrysler-Viper

Ferrari - Ferrari

Ferrari - Maserati - Ferrari/Maserati

LR-Land-Rover

LRO-Land-Rover

LTS - Lotus Elise

LTS - 2 - Lotus Elise 2

Lamborghini - Lamborghini

MO1-Mercedes SL65 AMG

MOExtended-Mercedes Extended (Runflat)

R01 - Audi Quattro, RS4, RS6, R8

R02 - Audi Quattro, RS4, RS6, R8

Darkness and haste in parallel parking lead to rubbing against curbstones. And here it’s already how lucky: at best, the disk will be scratched, and at worst, it will deform or crack. Neither of these will happen if you run tires with rim protection. Professional tire sellers in Minsk inform buyers if there is such protection on the tire. If you buy tires without help, rubber with disc protection can be identified by characteristic features or by markings on the sidewall.

What does tire protection look like?

To understand if a tire is protecting the rim from damage, look at the bead area. If it has a protruding belt or it is compacted, tangential blows will most likely not affect integrity. rim. As a rule, manufacturers provide disc protection in low-profile tires. Today, these include tires with a profile (or series) of less than 55. Tires with a profile of 55 or more protrude beyond the vertical plane of the disk, which protects it from rough influences - additional elements in the onboard zone are simply not needed.

How tires are labeled with rim protection

Manufacturers do not have a single rule on how to label tires with rim protection. At the same time, letter designation is practiced, and it is different for different brands. Examples of what is sold in Minsk:

• at goodyear tires- FP (Fringe Protector, in the lane "edge protection");
• at Dunlop tires- MFS (Maximum Flange Shield, in the lane "maximum side protection");
• at Yokohama tire- RPB (Rim Protection Bar).

Bridgestone, Continental and Pirelli also use their own markings, but on Michelin tires she is not.

It is important to mention: disc rim protection can be provided both for all standard sizes of a certain model, and for selective ones. Moreover, the same model in the same standard size for original configuration may have protective elements in the side area, and for secondary market- No.

Is it worth buying

Just as taking ascorbic acid does not guarantee the immunity of the immune system against viruses, tires with rim protection do not guarantee that the rims will not have to be painted or repaired. If the touch turns out to be a blow, the shock-absorbing properties of rubber simply will not suffice. At the same time, it is still worth hunting for such tires in Minsk stores if expensive alloy wheels are on the car. Namely, on expensive alloy wheels, low-profile tires are used.