Tyres are one of the most indispensable parts of the vehicle. The performance of your automobile depends a lot on the kind of tyres you’ve fitted to the vehicle. The engine alone is not responsible for effective speed and braking. Tyres also play a major role in this. Good steering response and effective cornering are all a result of good tyres. Therefore, it’s imperative that you choose the right tyres for your vehicle.
There’s no shortage of tyres in the market. Tyres are available in myriads of sizes and you’ll find tyres according to seasons and according to the vehicle you use. Tyres also come on the kind of terrains you mostly drive on. However, one thing is common in all the tyres and that is the specifications written on the Maxxis banden Utrecht. As a potential buyer, it’s very important that you know the markings on your tyre. You may think why you need to know the markings when you know the brand well.
However, it’s not always like this. Having a good knowledge of tyre specifications lets you buy the tyres you’re exactly looking for. They tell you about the size, the load rating and the built of the tyre. Tyres, after all, bear so much on the roads. Don’t you want a sturdy set of tyres for yourself, that combats all kinds of dangers on the roads? This specifically helps if you’re planning to upgrade your tyres to a larger size. So, read the tyre specifications here that you must know.
Comprehend the tyre specifications
The tyre size
The ideal place to find the tyre size is your owner’s manual. The manual contains other specifications too. All the information there helps you in locating your ideal tyre. Apart from this, the tyre size can also be found on the placard placed inside the door towards the driver’s side. Tyres also have codes embedded in them, so that you understand the technicalities of the tyre size.
Decode the codes
The sidewall of your tyre is to be the strongest part of your tyre and it contains all the vital information regarding the tyre. For instance, if the code says 204/60R 17 95H
Now let’s see what it is.
Here, 204 is the width of the tyre in millimetres.
60 is the aspect ratio, which is expressed in percentage. It’s the ratio of the width of the tyre in proportion to its height. The aspect ratio is specifically important as the traction of the vehicle depends on that. If you try deviating from it, the contact patch of the tyre might get affected.
Next comes R, which indicates that it’s a radial tyre. Else Autobanden Utrecht tyres can be cross-ply constructed as well.
Here 17 indicates the diameter of the rim of the wheel. This is indicated in inches. It’s very important, as this is what indicates the size of the tyre. The diameter of the tyre should match the rims of the wheel.
The last being the load capacity and the speed rating of the tyre. This also indicates the sound condition of the tyre. Here 95 represents the maximum load each tyre can carry and H represents the maximum speed.
Other markings on the tyre
Tyres come according to seasons and there are some other crucial markings on the tyre to make sure you’re buying the right tyre suited for the season.
- M+S
This indicates mud+ snow. That means the tyre can run on both mud and snow with ease.
- Snowflake symbol on the tyre
Winter tyres carry this snowflake mountain symbol with three peaks. It means that these tyres are specifically meant for winters and should be used in extremely cold temperatures only.
Whatever information is printed on the tyre, is also in the manual. Do refer to your owner’s manual and you can know about your tyres in detail. For best results, try and stick to the specifications recommended by the manufacturer and try not to deviate.