Tire identification marks – BMW X3 3.0si SAV 2007 User Manual

Page 95

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

Speed code letter

Q = up to 105 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
Y = up to 186 mph/300 km/h

Tire Identification Number

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

Tire age

The tire's date of manufacture is indicated on
the sidewall:
DOT ... 2806 indicates that a tire was manufac-
tured in week 28 of the year 2006.

BMW recommends that you replace all tires
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last
for 10 years.

Uniform Tire Quality Grading

Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
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

All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition

to these grades.

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 (1

γ) 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.

The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction

tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.

e.g.

235/50 R 18 97 V

Nominal width in mm
Cross-sectional
relationship in

Radial tire code
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not for ZR tires
Speed rating, before R on ZR tires

e.g.

DOT xxxx xxx 3005

Manufacturer code
for tire make
Tire size and tire design
Tire age