Tire Terminology And Definitions - Kia Sorento 2021 Owner's Manual

Maintenance
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor labora-
tory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of perfor-
mance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.

Tire terminology and definitions

Refer to the following for detailed
definitions of the terms that are
found in the tire description.
Air Pressure The amount of air
inside the tire pressing outward on
the tire. Air pressure is expressed in
pounds per square inch (psi) or kilo-
pascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight The combined
weight of optional accessories.
Some examples of optional accesso-
ries are automatic transmission,
power seats, and air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio The relationship of a
tire's height to its width.
Belt A rubber coated layer of cords
that is located between the plies
and the tread. Cords may be made
from steel or other reinforcing
materials.
Bead The tire bead contains steel
wires wrapped by steel cords that
hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire A pneumatic tire in
which the plies are laid at alternate
angles less than 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure The amount of
air pressure in a tire, measured in
pounds per square inch (psi) or kilo-
pascals (kPa) before a tire has built
up heat from driving.
Curb Weight The weight of a motor
vehicle with standard and optional
equipment (including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil and coolant), but
without passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings The DOT code
includes the Tire Identification Num-
ber (TIN), an alphanumeric designa-
tor which can also identify the tire
manufacturer, production plant,
brand and date of production.
GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
GAWR FRT Gross Axle Weight Rating
for the Front axle.
GAWR RR Gross Axle Weight Rating
for the Rear axle.
Intended Outboard Sidewall The side
of an asymmetrical tire that must
always face outward when mounted
on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa) The metric unit for
air pressure.
Light truck (LT) tire A tire desig-
nated by its manufacturer as pri-
marily intended for use on
Tires and wheels
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