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Tire code
Knowing the tire code on the tire side-
wall makes it easier to correctly choose
and identify your tires.
DOT code:
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
E.g. DOT xxxx xxx 3204
xxxx = Manufacturer's code for tire
brand
All passenger car tires must con-
form to Federal Safety Require-
ments in addition to these grades.<
Tire size
xxx = Tire size and tire version
3204 = Tire age
E.g. 205/60 R 15 91 W
205 = Nominal width in mm
60 = Cross-sectional ratio in %
R = Radial belt construction
15 = Rim diameter in inches
91 = Load index, not on ZR tires
Tread wear
Tire age
The tread wear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
The date on which the tire was manu-
factured is indicated by the code on the when tested under controlled condi-
sidewall:
DOT … 3204 indicates that the tire was course.
manufactured in week 32 of the year
2004.
tions on a specified government test
W = Speed rating, in front of the R on
ZR tires
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half – 1 1/2 – times as
well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road char-
acteristics and climate.
Speed rating
BMW recommends the replacement of
all tires when they are no more than
6 years old, even if a tire life of 10 years
is possible.
Q = up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
T = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H = up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V = up to 150 mph (240 km/h)
W = up to 167 mph (270 km/h)
Y = up to 186 mph (300 km/h)
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
Traction
Tire Identification Number
The traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
Tires with DOT codes comply with the
guidelines of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
DOT quality grades
Tread wear
Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 512 - �09/04 BMW AG
| Categories | BMW 3-Series Manuals, BMW Manuals |
|---|---|
| Tags | BMW E46, BMW M3 Manuals |
| Model Year | 2005 |
| Download File |
|
| Document File Type | |
| Copyright | Attribution Non-commercial |
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