Tire Terminology And Definitions - Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 2023 Owner's Manual

338 Vehicle Care
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
(1) Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
United States version of a metric tire
sizing system. The letters LT as the first
two characters in the tire size mean a
light truck tire engineered to standards
set by the U.S. Tire and Rim
Association.
(2) Tire Width The 3-digit number
:
indicates the tire section width in
millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.
(3) Aspect Ratio A 2-digit number that
:
indicates the tire height-to-width
measurements. For example, if the tire
size aspect ratio is 75, as shown in
item (3) of the light truck (LT-Metric)
tire illustration, it would mean that the
tire's sidewall is 75 percent as high as it
is wide.
(4) Construction Code
used to indicate the type of ply
construction in the tire. The letter R
means radial ply construction; the
letter D means diagonal or bias ply
construction.
(5) Rim Diameter
The wheel in inches.
:
(6) Load Range
(7) Service Description
description indicates the load index and
speed rating of a tire. If two numbers
are given as in the example, 120/116,
then this represents the load index for
single versus dual wheel usage (single/
dual). The speed rating is the maximum
speed a tire is certified to carry a load.

Tire Terminology and Definitions

Air Pressure
the tire pressing outward on each
square inch of the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in kPa (kilopascal) or psi
(pounds per square inch).
Aspect Ratio
tire's height to its width.
A letter code is
:
Diameter of the
:
Load Range.
:
The service
:
The amount of air inside
:
The relationship of a
:
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 kPa
(kilopascal) or psi (pounds per square
inch) before a tire has built up heat
from driving. See Tire Pressure 0 340.
DOT Markings A code molded into the
:
sidewall of a tire signifying that the tire
is in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT)
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The
DOT code includes the Tire Identification
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric
designator which can also identify the
tire manufacturer, production plant,
brand, and date of production.