A tire’s sidewall is
simply the outer and inner “walls” on the sides of a tire, if facing a
tire on its side. Every sidewall has its own unique information that is
divided into three main sections:
1. Tire Specs
This describes the fundamental characteristics of your tire. Size, construction, speed rating and more.
2. Department of Transportation Safety Code
This assures that your tire complies with all Department of Transportation (DOT) safety standards. After the DOT insignia is your tire’s identification number, which begins with the tire’s manufacturer and plant code where the tire was manufactured (two numbers or letters). The ninth and tenth characters tell the week the tire was manufactured. The final number(s) signifies the year the tire was manufactured.
3. UTQG Code
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) was established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to test tires following government prescribed test methods and then grade each tire on three main components:
4. Icons
Some tires have unique benefits, as showcased with specific icons. For example, the MICHELIN® Green X® Marking is a guarantee that the tire provides a level of energy efficiency among the highest in the market for its category without compromising traction and treadwear. The letters M and S (M +S) indicate that the tire meets the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s standards for a mud and snow tire. The letters can be found in the following combinations: M+S, M/S, and M&S. All-season tires carry this mark.
1. Tire Specs
This describes the fundamental characteristics of your tire. Size, construction, speed rating and more.
This assures that your tire complies with all Department of Transportation (DOT) safety standards. After the DOT insignia is your tire’s identification number, which begins with the tire’s manufacturer and plant code where the tire was manufactured (two numbers or letters). The ninth and tenth characters tell the week the tire was manufactured. The final number(s) signifies the year the tire was manufactured.
3. UTQG Code
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) was established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to test tires following government prescribed test methods and then grade each tire on three main components:
Treadwear: This is the
wear rate of the tire, comparable only to other tires within a tire
manufacturer’s line. 100 is the baseline grade. Therefore a tire with
200 would theoretically last twice as long on the government’s course
compared to a tire with 100.
Traction: Traction
grades are AA, A, B and C (with AA being the highest grade). They
represent the tire’s ability to stop straight on wet pavement as measure
on a specified government track. Any tire rated under C is considered
unacceptable for road travel.
Temperature: The
temperature grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B and C. These
represent the tire’s ability to dissipate heat under controlled indoor
test conditions. Any tire rated below C is considered unacceptable.
4. Icons
Some tires have unique benefits, as showcased with specific icons. For example, the MICHELIN® Green X® Marking is a guarantee that the tire provides a level of energy efficiency among the highest in the market for its category without compromising traction and treadwear. The letters M and S (M +S) indicate that the tire meets the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s standards for a mud and snow tire. The letters can be found in the following combinations: M+S, M/S, and M&S. All-season tires carry this mark.
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