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07 Wheels and tires
Tire designations
Federal law mandates that tire manufacturers
place standardized information on the side-
wall of all tires (see the illustration).
The following information is listed on the tire
sidewall:
The tire designation (the following figures are
examples of a tire designation):
07
1. 215: the width of the tire (in millimeters)
from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. The
larger the number, the wider the tire.
2. 65: The ratio of the tire's height to its
width.
3. R: Radial tire.
158
4. 15: The diameter of the wheel rim (in
inches).
5. 95: The tire's load index. In this exam-
ple, a load index of 95 equals a maxi-
mum load of 1521 lbs (690 kg).
6. H: The tire's speed rating, or the maxi-
mum speed at which the tire is
designed to be driven for extended
periods of time, carrying a permissible
load for the vehicle, and with correct
inflation pressure. For example, H indi-
cates a speed rating of 130 mph (210
km/h).
NOTE
This information may not appear on the tire
because it is not required by law.
7. M+S or M/S = Mud and Snow, AT =
All Terrain, AS = All Season
8. U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number
(TIN): This begins with the letters
"DOT" and indicates that the tire meets
all federal standards. The next two
numbers or letters are the plant code
where it was manufactured, the next
two are the tire size code and the last
four numbers represent the week and
year the tire was built. For example, the
numbers 317 mean the 31st week of
1997. After 2000 the numbers go to
four digits. For example, 2501 means
the 25th week of 2001. The numbers in
between are marketing codes used at
the manufacturer's discretion. This
information helps a tire manufacturer
identify a tire for safety recall purposes.
9. Tire Ply Composition and Material
Used: Indicates the number of plies
indicates or the number of layers of
rubber-coated fabric in the tire tread
and sidewall. Tire manufacturers also
must indicate the ply materials in the
tire and the sidewall, which include
steel, nylon, polyester, and others.
10. Maximum Load: Indicates the maxi-
mum load in pounds and kilograms that
can be carried by the tire. Refer to the
vehicle's tire information placard or the
safety certification label, located on the
B-Pillar or the driver's door or on the
inside of the fuel filler door on Canadian
models, for the correct tire pressure for
your vehicle.
11. Treadwear, Traction, and Temperature
grades: See page 163 for more infor-
mation.
12. Maximum permissible inflation pres-
sure: the greatest amount of air pres-
sure that should ever be put in the tire.
This limit is set by the tire manufac-
turer.
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