Writing on Tyres Mean

What does the writing on my tyres mean?

There are two main purposes of the writing that you'll see on the sidewall of your tyres.

The first is to help identify the size and specification of the tyres correctly. The second is to confirm that the tyre has been tested and approved to European and other country safety standards. The European mandatory is known as 'E' marking. Click here to see a diagram explaining each part of the tyre reference.

Although not illegal, it is not recommended to have tyres with a lower speed rating or load capacity than the manufacturer recommended tyre specification for your vehicle, or to have a combination of different tyre construction types. Consult your vehicle handbook, which will confirm your vehicles tyre speed and load ratings as well as any additional requirements.

Load Index and Speed Ratings

The majority of tyres carry coded markings on them, which correspond to their load carrying and maximum speed capabilities.

For example: 91V

91= Index of maximum load carrying capacity per tyre, in this case equates to 615kg.

V= Symbol which equates to a speed rating of 240km/h (approximately 149mph)

The load index is a numerical code, which corresponds to the maximum load a tyre can carry at the speed indicated by its speed symbol, under specific service conditions. For specific load index details see below.

Load Index	Kilograms	Load Index	Kilograms	Load Index	Kilograms
65	290	80	450	95	690
66	300	81	462	96	710
67	307	82	475	97	730
68	215	83	487	98	750
69	325	84	500	99	775
70	335	85	515	100	800
71	345	86	530	101	825
72	355	87	545	102	850
73	365	88	560	103	875
74	375	89	580	104	900
75	387	90	600	105	925
76	400	91	615	106	950
77	412	92	630	107	975
78	425	93	650	108	1000
79	437	94	670

The speed symbol indicates the speed at which the tyre can carry the load corresponding with its load index. For specific speed rating details see below.

Speed Symbol	Approx MPH	Approx KM/H
Q	99	160
R	106	170
S	112	180
T	118	190
H	131	210
V	149	240
VR	131	210
W	168	270
Y	186	300
ZR	149	240