Volvo 2005 C70 - Manual (Page 90)

84
Tire designations
Tire designations
Federal law mandates that tire manufacturers
place standardized information on the sidewall
of all tires (see the illustration).
The following information is listed on the tire
sidewall:
The tire designation (the following figures are
examples of a tire designation):
1. 215: the width of the tire (in millimeters)
from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. The
larger the number, the wider the tire.
2. 65: The ratio of the tire’s height to its
width.
3. R: Radial tire.
4. 15: The diameter of the wheel rim (in
inches).
5. 95: The tire’s load index. In this example,
a load index of 95 equals a maximum load
of 1521 lbs (690 kg).
6. H: The tire’s speed rating, or the maximum
speed at which the tire is designed to be
driven for extended periods of time,
carrying a permissible load for the vehicle,
and with correct inflation pressure. For
example, H indicates a speed rating of 130
mph (210 km/h).
NOTE: This information may not appear on
the tire because it is not required by law.
7. M+S or M/S = Mud and Snow, AT = All
Terrain, AS = All Season
8. U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number
(TIN): This begins with the letters “DOT”
and indicates that the tire meets all federal
standards. The next two numbers or letters
are the plant code where it was manufac-
tured, the next two are the tire size code
and the last four numbers represent the
week and year the tire was built. For
example, the numbers 317 mean the 31st
week of 1997. After 2000 the numbers go
to four digits. For example, 2501 means
the 25th week of 2001. The numbers in
between are marketing codes used at the
manufacturer’s discretion. This informa-
tion helps a tire manufacturer identify a
tire for safety recall purposes.
9. Tire Ply Composition and Material Used:
Indicates the number of plies indicates or
the number of layers of rubber-coated
fabric in the tire tread and sidewall. Tire
manufacturers also must indicate the ply
materials in the tire and the sidewall,
which include steel, nylon, polyester, and
others.
10. Maximum Load: Indicates the maximum
load in pounds and kilograms that can be
carried by the tire. Refer to the vehicle’s
tire information placard located on the rear
edge of the driver’s door (U.S. models), or
on the rear edge of the passenger's door
(Canadian models), or the safety certifica-
tion label, for the correct tire pressure for
your vehicle.
11. Treadwear, Traction, and Temperature
grades: See page 87 for more information.
12. Maximum permissible inflation pressure:
the greatest amount of air pressure that
should ever be put in the tire. This limit is
set by the tire manufacturer.
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Wheels and tires