Tire coding – BMW 2004 Mini Convertible Cooper User Manual

Page 101

TIRE CODING

Knowing the tire code on the tire's sidewall
makes it easier for you to choose and iden-
tify the correct tires.

Tire size

e.g.

205/45 R 17 84 V

Nominal width in mm

Cross-sectional
ratio in %

Radial belt construction

Rim diameter in inches

Load index,
not on ZR tires

Speed code letter,
in front of the R on ZR tires

Speed code letters:

Q = up to 100 mph / 160 km/h

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

Tire Identification Number

Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines
of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

DOT code:

e.g.

DOT xxxx xxx 2704

Manufacturer's code
for tire make

Tire size and
tire version

Tire age

Tire age

The date on which the tire was manufac-
tured is indicated by the code on the side-
wall:
DOT...2704 indicates that the tire was man-
ufactured in Week 27 of the year 2004.

The manufacturer of your vehicle recom-
mends replacing all tires after 6 years at
the latest, even if a tire service life of
10 years is possible.

Uniform Tire Quality Grading

Quality grades can be found where applica-
ble on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width.
For example:

Treadwear 200 Traction AA

Temperature A

DOT quality grades

Tread wear

Traction AA A B C

Temperature A B C

All passenger car tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in

addition to these grades.

Tread wear

The tread wear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and one-half, 1

γ, times as well on the

government 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 variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.