Tire Identification Marks; Uniform Tire Quality Grading; Tire Identification Number - BMW 2007 M6 Owner's Manual

Tire identification marks

Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire
makes it easier to identify and choose the right
tires.
Tire size
e.g.
285/35
245/45 R 18 100 V
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating
(not on ZR tires)
Speed code letter
(in front of the R on ZR tires)
Speed letter
T = up to 118 mph/190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph/210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph/240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph/270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph/300 km/h
Z = over 150 mph/240 km/h

Tire Identification Number

Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the US Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
e.g.
DOT xxxx xxx 1008
Manufacturer code
for tire make
Tire size and tire design
Tire age
Tire age
The tire's date of manufacture is indicated on
the sidewall:
DOT ... 1008 indicates that the tire was manu-
factured in week 10 of 2008.
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Online Edition for Part no. 01 41 2 600 775 - © 08/08 BMW AG
BMW recommends replacing all tires at least
every 6 years, even if some tires may last for
10 years. This also concerns the tire of the
spare wheel

Uniform Tire Quality Grading

Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
ZR 19
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
to these
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half, 1γ, times as well on the govern-
ment course as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due to varia-
tions in driving habits, service practices and dif-
ferences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
These grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.<
*
.
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
grades.<
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction