BridgeStone helps consumers to know the technical data of tires
Each of the rubber-stamped components brings important information about the product, have you ever stopped to notice all those numbers, letters and scratches stamped on the side of your car's tire? It should. That's why Bridgestone, the world's largest tire manufacturer, helps you read these 'codes' that give you valuable information about the product's characteristics and help you get the most out of it. By reading, you discover information such as the load capacity and speed at which the product can be submitted, which helps when replacing them. To know more, check out: Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus Review
“When the tire's useful life comes to an end, many drivers are in doubt about which model to buy. For this reason, we advise the consumer to pay attention to the recommendations contained in the vehicle's manual, as each car has a specific tire”, comments José Carlos Quadrelli, general manager of Sales Engineering at Bridgestone. "Maintaining the characteristics of the car, especially the tire, is one of the main precautions that must be taken when purchasing a new tire so as not to run the risk of loss of vehicle performance", he concludes.
But how to read a tire? Although it seems complicated at first, it is a relatively simple task. In general, the information is arranged as follows:
Brand:
The reading starts with the name of the tire manufacturer or brand. That is, on a Bridgestone tire, you must first locate this name and then continue the correct reading sequence. The brand of a tire says a lot about quality. Bridgestone and Firestone, for example, are renowned for their durability and performance.
Model:
Right after the brand name, there is the model identification. This is an important part because it helps when replacing a copy. Some Bridgestone tire models are the Ecopia EP150, Turanza ER300, B250, Potenza RE760, among others.
Wear indicator (TWI):
These are the rubber shoulders that are in the tire grooves and are 1.6 mm deep. When they reach their limit, they signal that the tire is legally 'bald' and must be changed.
“When the tire's useful life comes to an end, many drivers are in doubt about which model to buy. For this reason, we advise the consumer to pay attention to the recommendations contained in the vehicle's manual, as each car has a specific tire”, comments José Carlos Quadrelli, general manager of Sales Engineering at Bridgestone. "Maintaining the characteristics of the car, especially the tire, is one of the main precautions that must be taken when purchasing a new tire so as not to run the risk of loss of vehicle performance", he concludes.
But how to read a tire? Although it seems complicated at first, it is a relatively simple task. In general, the information is arranged as follows:
Brand:
The reading starts with the name of the tire manufacturer or brand. That is, on a Bridgestone tire, you must first locate this name and then continue the correct reading sequence. The brand of a tire says a lot about quality. Bridgestone and Firestone, for example, are renowned for their durability and performance.
Model:
Right after the brand name, there is the model identification. This is an important part because it helps when replacing a copy. Some Bridgestone tire models are the Ecopia EP150, Turanza ER300, B250, Potenza RE760, among others.
Wear indicator (TWI):
These are the rubber shoulders that are in the tire grooves and are 1.6 mm deep. When they reach their limit, they signal that the tire is legally 'bald' and must be changed.
Rotation Direction: In the case of unidirectional tires, arrows indicate the correct direction for the tire to rotate. As the consumer does not handle the tires already placed on the wheels, few pay attention to this detail. However, it is interesting to know to avoid mistakes and, thus, uneven wear of the product.
Date of manufacture (DOT):
It is a set of eleven digits who’s last four numbers inform the week and the year in which the tire was manufactured. For example, a tire that has the sequence 1815 was manufactured in the 18th week of the year 2015.
Position indicator:
In the case of asymmetric tires, this sign shows the position in which it should be placed on the wheel, differentiating the external and internal parts.
Measure:
It is the nominal measure in millimeters. Among passenger vehicles, it can normally range from 165, 175, 185, 195 to 315. This is a factor that influences the stability generated by the tire. In the sequence, the percentage between the height and the width of the tire section appears. The higher the number, the higher the tire profile. The following letter indicates the type of construction. It can be designated by an R (Radial) or D or without indication (Diagonal). Typically, R-type tires have straps made of steel, generating greater rigidity and durability. Diagonal models do not have steel straps. The last two-digit number is the measurement of the rim, in inches.
Load Index and Speed Symbol:
The load index is a 2- or 3-digit number that corresponds to the utmost load the tire can support. It is followed by a letter which is the speed symbol and which indicates the maximum speed the tire can support when subjected to the maximum load.
Date of manufacture (DOT):
It is a set of eleven digits who’s last four numbers inform the week and the year in which the tire was manufactured. For example, a tire that has the sequence 1815 was manufactured in the 18th week of the year 2015.
Position indicator:
In the case of asymmetric tires, this sign shows the position in which it should be placed on the wheel, differentiating the external and internal parts.
Measure:
It is the nominal measure in millimeters. Among passenger vehicles, it can normally range from 165, 175, 185, 195 to 315. This is a factor that influences the stability generated by the tire. In the sequence, the percentage between the height and the width of the tire section appears. The higher the number, the higher the tire profile. The following letter indicates the type of construction. It can be designated by an R (Radial) or D or without indication (Diagonal). Typically, R-type tires have straps made of steel, generating greater rigidity and durability. Diagonal models do not have steel straps. The last two-digit number is the measurement of the rim, in inches.
Load Index and Speed Symbol:
The load index is a 2- or 3-digit number that corresponds to the utmost load the tire can support. It is followed by a letter which is the speed symbol and which indicates the maximum speed the tire can support when subjected to the maximum load.