TYRE MARKINGS EXPLAINED

Tyres have many of the symbols and markings required by law. These include product and manufacturer details, production dates, size, load index and speed rating. One of the most important is the ECE-approval symbol and number, a legal requirement confirming the tyre can be sold in Europe.

The best place to get new tyres for your vehicle is your local Ford Dealer.

Our specialists can advise you on relevant tyre safety laws, show you what to look out for when checking your tyres, and will be happy to guide you in finding the right tyre for your Ford, based on your driving patterns and available budget.

We offer a range of tyres at competitive recommended retail prices, including fitting and balance, standard valves and disposal, and will check all wheel components for you during the
course of the tyre fitting.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Many of the symbol and markings are required by law. What do the tyre symbols and markings mean?

On the tyre sidewall you will find details including the name of the manufacturer, product description, construction type, production date and much more.

 

Tyre date code

The tyre date code is found on the tyre wall. It’s a four-digit number that shows you the week and the year the tyre was made.

 

Legal requirements

One of the most important is the ECE-approval symbol (a capital ‘E’ in a circle) followed by a number.

This marking is a legal requirement and confirms that the tyre can be sold in Europe.

 

Size designation and markings

An example of the size designation and markings is shown below – see the tables below for the Load Index Code and the Speed Rating Symbol.

TYRE MARKINGS AND SYMBOLS

Tyre Speed Rating Symbol
Symbol Maximum speed
M 81 mph 130 km/h
P 93 mph 150 km/h
Q 99 mph 160 km/h
R 106 mph
170 km/h
S 112 mph 180 km/h
T 118 mph 190 km/h
H 130 mph 210 km/h
VR over 130 mph
over 210 km/h
V 149 mph
240 km/h
Z over 149 mph
over 240 km/h
ZR over 149 mph over 240 km/h
W 168 mph
270 km/h
(W) over 168 mph
over 270 km/h
Y 186 mph
300 km/h
(Y) over 186 mph
over 300 km/h
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ADDITIONAL MARKINGS

Load Index Code

kg

65
290
66
300
67
307
68
315
69
325
70 335
71 345
72 355
73 365
74 375
75 387
76 400
77 412
78 425
79 437
80 450
81 462
82 475
83 487
84 500
85 515
86 530
87 545
88 560
89 580
90 600
91 615
92 630
93 650
94 670
95 690
96 710
97 730
98 750
99 775
100 800
101 825
102 850
103 875
104 900
105 925
106 950
107 975
108 1000
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