Warranty

Your tire contains a lot of useful information molded into the sidewall. It shows the name of the
tire, its size, whether it is tubeless or tube type, the maximum load and maximum inflation, the
important safety warning (example on previous page) and much other information.
Shown here on the left is the sidewall of a popular
‘P-metric’ speed-rated auto tire. ‘P’ stands for passenger;
‘205’ represents the width of the tire in millimeters;
‘60’ is the ratio of height to width; ‘H’ is the speed
rating; ‘R’ means radial; and ‘15’ is the diameter of the
wheel in inches. Some speed-rated tires carry a Service
Description instead of showing the speed symbol in the
size designation. The Service Description, 90H in this
example, consists of the load index and speed symbol.
The speed symbol on Cooper tires is identified by the letters ‘S, T, H or V’ and indicates the
maximum speed capability of the tire when properly loaded and inflated.
A ‘B’ in place of the ‘R’ means the tire is a belted bias construction. A ‘D’ in place of the ‘R’
means diagonal ‘bias’ construction.
The maximum load is shown in lbs. (pounds) and in kg. (kilograms), and maximum pressure
in PSI (pounds per square inch) and in kPa (kilopascals). Kilograms and kilopascals are metric
units of measurement.
The letters “DOT” certify compliance with all applicable safety standards established by the
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Adjacent to this is a tire identification or serial
number. This serial number is a code with up to eleven digits that are a combination of numbers
and letters.
Example:
Dept. of
Transportation
MFR. Plant
code No.
Tire Size Code
No.
Group of optional
symbols with MFR.
Date of MFR.
2 digit wk, 2
digit yr
DOT MA L9 ABCD 1013
The sidewall also shows the type of cord and number of plies in the sidewall and in the
tread region.
The DOT requires tire manufacturers to grade passenger car tires based on three performance
factors: Treadwear, Traction, and Temperature Resistance.
TREADWEAR: The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test course under specified
test conditions as one graded 100.
However, it is erroneous to link treadwear grades with your projected tire mileage. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use and may vary due to driving
habits, service practices, differences in road characteristics and climate.
TRACTION: The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B and C. They represent
the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
TEMPERATURE: The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing the tire’s
resistance to the generation of heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
indoor laboratory test wheel.
The right diagram shows the typical information on the sidewall of a light truck tire. LT stands for
Light Truck. ‘LT235/85R16’ is the size designation for a metric light truck tire. ‘LOAD RANGE D’
identifies the load and inflation limits; ‘RADIAL’ identifies that the tire has a radial construction.
‘MAX LOAD SINGLE 2623 lbs. AT 65psi COLD’ indicates the maximum load rating of the tire
and corresponding minimum cold inflation pressure for that load when used as a single tire . For
normal operation, follow pressure recommendations in owner’s manual or on vehicle placard.
‘MAX LOAD DUAL 2381 lbs. AT 65 psi COLD’ indicates the maximum load rating of the tire
and corresponding minimum cold inflation pressure when used in a dual configuration. The
other markings on the sidewall have the same meaning as described for the passenger car tire.
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The Sidewall Story