Your tyre’s sidewall contains all the information about your tyre that you’ll need. This guide shows you how to read your sidewall tyre markings, including what the letters and numbers mean.
These are tyre markings, numbers and letters that are printed on the side of a tyre. They tell you information about the size, type, and performance of the tyre. The markings usually look something like this: 205/55 R16 91V. The first number (205) tells you the width of the tyre in millimetres. The second number (55) tells you the height of the tyre as a percentage of the width. The letter (R) stands for “Radial” which is the type of tyre. The number (16) tells you the size of the wheel rim in inches. The last two numbers (91) tell you the load index rating and the letter (V) tells you the speed rating. Here they are labelled and broken down further:
A. Tyre width: The width of your tyre, in millimetres, measured from sidewall to sidewall.
B. Aspect ratio: This is the ratio of the tyre’s cross-section to its width, expressed as a percentage. An aspect ratio of 55, for example, indicates that the tyre’s height is 55% of its width.
C. Wheel diameter: The diameter (height) of the wheel in inches.
D. Load index: Your tyre’s load index relates to its maximum carrying capacity (in kg). You’ll find the load rating of your tyre on the sidewall, just to the right of the diameter.
For example, a tyre with a load index of 91 can carry 615kg of weight.
Load ratings and speed ratings should be looked at together when you buy a new tyre. Also remember to check your manufacturer’s recommendations.
E. Speed rating: The speed rating is the maximum speed for a tyre when it is correctly inflated and being used under load. The speed rating is the letter at the end of the sidewall, after the load index number. A tyre with a speed rating of V, for example, has a maximum speed of 240 km/h.
When buying new tyres, make sure you match their speed rating with the speed capabilities of your vehicle.
To help better understand how to read your tyre's sidewall, Jon Benson from Tyre Reviews, explains the meanings of the key tyre markings.
Jon also mentions the 3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake symbol on Goodyear All Season and Winter tyres. This means that the tyre is road legal for winter conditions across Europe.
To show that replacement tyres are engineered to original equipment standards, an OE marking is embossed into the sidewall of a tyre. These markings indicate which car manufacturer a tyre has been designed for.
For example, tyres manufactured specifically for Audi will have AO embossed on the tyre’s sidewall. For Mercedes, MO will be shown on the tyre’s sidewall. And for BMW, you will see the star symbol. For most vehicle manufacturers, there is a unique sidewall marking to match.
OE tyres are developed by tyre manufacturers in conjunction with the vehicle manufacturer. Goodyear is one of the leading brands in OE with over 600 approvals from more than 30 vehicle manufacturers.
(Star) BMW group
AO Audi (original)
MO Mercedes (Original)
AR Alfa Romeo
Porsche
Volkswagen
Tyres embossed with OE vehicle manufacturer markings are also known as homologated tyres. You can find a detailed tyre homologation list in this chart.
| Original Equipment Manufacturer | Sidewall marking | Explanation |
| Alfa Romeo | AR | Alfa Romeo |
| Aston Martin | AM | Aston Martin |
| Audi | AO AOE RO1 |
Audi Original Audi Original Extended (ROF) Audi Quattro |
| Bentley | B | Bentley |
| BMW | * | “Star” marking |
| Ferrari | K1, K2, K3 | / |
| Jaguar | J | Jaguar |
| Lamborghini | L | Lamborghini |
| Land Rover | LR | Land Rover |
| Jaguar & Land Rover | JLR | Jaguar Land Rover |
| Lotus | LS | Lotus Exige S |
| Maserati | MGT | Maserati Genuine Tyres |
| McLaren | MC | Mclaren |
| Mercedes | MOE MO MO1 |
Mercedes Original Extended (ROF) Mercedes Original Mercedes Original (for AMG models) |
| Nissan | NR1 | Nissan GT-R Nismo |
| Porsche | N0, N1, N2, N3, N4, N5, N6 | |
| Tesla | T0, T1, T2,… | Tesla Original |
| Volkswagen | ⊕ | Volkswagen Original +Tyres |
| Volvo | VOL | Volvo |
Use the table below to find the load and speed capacity from the markings on your tyres:
Load Index
Speed Index
It may be possible to fit tyres with higher load indexes and different speed ratings to those indicated in your vehicle’s manufacturer documentation.
However, always check first in your vehicle’s manufacturer documentation if these tyres may be fitted on your vehicle and if using these tyres is permitted under your local laws and regulations. You should also comply with all applicable requirements of your local laws and regulations and not exceed the specifications of these tyres as well as those indicated in your vehicle’s manufacturer documentation in terms of speed and load. Your dealer may help you verifying this before purchasing or fitting tyres.
Is it possible to fit tyres with a higher speed rating than my manufacturer recommends?
Yes, this may be possible. However, always check first in your vehicle’s manufacturer documentation if these tyres may be fitted on your vehicle.
Is it possible to fit tyres with a higher load index than my manufacturer recommends?
Yes, this may be possible. However, always check first in your vehicle’s manufacturer documentation if these tyres may be fitted on your vehicle.
Is it possible to fit tyres with a higher speed rating and a higher load index than my manufacturer recommends?
Yes, this may be possible. However, always check first in your vehicle’s manufacturer documentation if these tyres may be fitted on your vehicle.
Is it possible to fit tyres with a lower speed rating than my manufacturer recommends?
Yes, you can use all-season or winter (M+S) tyres that have a lower speed rating so long as: a) a sticker that shows the maximum speed limit is in the driver’s field of vision and b) you don’t drive the vehicle faster than the maximum speed limit. However, always check first in your vehicle’s manufacturer documentation if these tyres may be fitted on your vehicle.
Is it possible to fit tyres with a higher load index and a lower speed rating than my manufacturer recommends?
Yes, you can fit tyres that have a higher load index and a lower speed rating.
You can use all-season or winter (M+S) tyres that have a lower speed rating so long as: a) a sticker that shows the maximum speed limit is in the driver’s field of vision and b) you don’t drive the vehicle faster than the maximum speed limit.
However, always check first in your vehicle’s manufacturer documentation if these tyres may be fitted on your vehicle.
Check your vehicle owner's manual to determine the load limits. Overloading your vehicle places stress on your tyres and other critical vehicle components. It can cause poor handling, increased fuel consumption and may cause tyre failure. It can also result in severe cracking, component separation or "blowout."
A “P” or no letter at all indicates a passenger car tyre.
The letter “R” stands for radial. Almost every new tyre built today is a radial tyre.
This tells you that the tyre conforms to the standards of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (U.N.E.C.E.) in relation to pneumatic tyres.
This is the maximum inflation pressure for your tyre. Consult your vehicle's manual for more information about recommended tyre pressure because it can have an impact on your car’s handling, turning, braking and fuel efficiency.
The letters “TWI” show the location of the tyre’s tread wear indicators. You should check these indicators regularly to ensure there’s enough tread on your tyres. In most EU countries the minimum tread depth 1.6mm.
This four-digit code tells you the week and year that your tyre was manufactured.
