Sidewall Markings; A Guide to Tyre Markings

Tyre sidewall markings help vehicle users to identify, purchase and correctly maintain their tyres. Initially they were only used to help identify the tyre's make. Over the years, Government legislation has demanded safety markings be posted in order to help buyers know they are getting a legal tyre.

Markings now fall into two main groups:

  • Those essential markings which tyre manufacturers have long used to indicate make, size and type (including recommended inflation pressure and direction of rotation)
  • Markings which have been added over the years in order to respect the requirements of legislation in the principal areas where UK tyres are used: UK, USA, Australia and Europe
  1. Tyre Width Width of tyre in millimetres
  2. Tyre Profile Height of a tyre sidewall as a percentage of the width
  3. Wheel Size The diameter of the wheels inner rim in inches
  4. Speed Rating Indicates the maximum speed for the tyre
  5. Manufactures Name
  6. Brand Name A commercial name or identity in some form
  7. Maximum Load
  8. Maximum Pressure

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