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A Tire Rotation Example
For maximum mileage, rotate your tires every 5,000 miles. Follow correct rotation patterns.

Tire Fundamentals

Federal law requires tire manufacturers to place standardized information on the sidewall of all tires. This information identifies and describes the fundamental characteristics of the tire and also provides a tire identification number for safety standard certification and in case of a recall.

Information on Passenger Vehicle Tires

Please refer to the diagram below.

d

P
The "P" indicates the tire is for passenger vehicles.

Next number
This three-digit number gives the width in millimeters of the tire from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In general, the larger the number, the wider the tire.

Next number
This two-digit number, known as the aspect ratio, gives the tire's ratio of height to width. Numbers of 70 or lower indicate a short sidewall for improved steering response and better overall handling on dry pavement.

R
The "R" stands for radial. Radial ply construction of tires has been the industry standard for the past 20 years.

Next number
This two-digit number is the wheel or rim diameter in inches. If you change your wheel size, you will have to purchase new tires to match the new wheel diameter.

Next number
This two- or three-digit number is the tire's load index. It is a measurement of how much weight each tire can support. You may find this information in your owner's manual. If not, contact a local tire dealer. Note: You may not find this information on all tires because it is not required by law.

M+S
The "M+S" or "M/S" indicates that the tire has some mud and snow capability. Most radial tires have these markings; hence, they have some mud and snow capability.

Speed Rating
The speed rating denotes the speed at which a tire is designed to be driven for extended periods of time. The ratings range from 99 miles per hour (mph) to 186 mph. These ratings are listed below. Note: You may not find this information on all tires because it is not required by law.

* For tires with a maximum speed capability over 149 mph, tire manufacturers sometimes use the letters ZR. For those with a maximum speed capability over 186 mph, tire manufacturers always use the letters ZR.

U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number
This begins with the letters "DOT" and indicates that the tire meets all federal standards. The next two numbers or letters are the plant code where it was manufactured, and the last four numbers represent the week and year the tire was built. For example, the numbers 3197 means the 31st week of 1997. The other numbers are marketing codes used at the manufacturer's discretion. This information is used to contact consumers if a tire defect requires a recall.

Tire Ply Composition and Materials Used
The number of plies indicates the number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tire. In general, the greater the number of plies, the more weight a tire can support. Tire manufacturers also must indicate the materials in the tire, which include steel, nylon, polyester, and others.

Maximum Load Rating
This number indicates the maximum load in kilograms and pounds that can be carried by the tire.

Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be put in the tire under normal driving conditions.

UTQGS Information

Treadwear Number
This number indicates the tire's wear rate. The higher the treadwear number is, the longer it should take for the tread to wear down. For example, a tire graded 400 should last twice as long as a tire graded 200.

Traction Letter
This letter indicates a tire's ability to stop on wet pavement. A higher graded tire should allow you to stop your car on wet roads in a shorter distance than a tire with a lower grade. Traction is graded from highest to lowest as "AA","A", "B", and "C".

Temperature Letter
This letter indicates a tire's resistance to heat. The temperature grade is for a tire that is inflated properly and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat build-up and possible tire failure. From highest to lowest, a tire's resistance to heat is graded as "A", "B", or "C".

Additional Information on Light Truck Tires

Please refer to diagram below.

d

Tires for light trucks have other markings besides those found on the sidewalls of passenger tires.

LT
The "LT" indicates the tire is for light trucks.

Max. Load Dual kg(lbs) at kPa(psi) Cold
This information indicates the maximum load and tire pressure when the tire is used as a dual, that is, when four tires are put on each rear axle (a total of six or more tires on the vehicle).

Max. Load Single kg(lbs) at kPa(psi) Cold
This information indicates the maximum load and tire pressure when the tire is used as a single.

Load Range
This information identifies the tire's load-carrying capabilities and its inflation limits.

Snow Tires
In some heavy snow areas, local governments may require true snow tires, those with very deeply cut tread. These tires should only be used in pairs or placed on all four wheels. Make sure you purchase snow tires that are the same size and construction type as the other tires on your vehicle.

**Published by NHTSA  www.nhtsa.dot.gov

"WHO MAKES YOUR TIRE"

PRIVATE BRAND TIRE SELLER TIRE MAKER
Advance China Mfrgs. All China Mfrgs.
Aerolon Lucas Automotive Denman (bias antique, classic automobile)
Aero Track Greenball Corp. Cheng-Shin (ATV)
Akuret Del-Nat Tire Corp. Yokohama (P, HP)
Alta Racer Greenball Corp. Cheng-Shin (Taiwan) (bias racing)
American Radial Amer. Car Care Michelin
Apache Tire Factory Continental General Tire
Apple I Frank's Tire
Arizonian Discount Tire Kelly (P, LTR)
Armour China Mfrgs. All. Jiangsu Tyre (IND)
Astra Tire Factory Continental General Tire
Astro Tire Group Int. Govind Rubber Ltd. (GRL) (india) Danubiana (Roumania) [farm] Madras Elastomeres (india) [solid IND] Chaoyang (China) [pneumatic IND] Roadstone (Thailand) [OTR, IND] Dong-Ah (Korea) [tubes, flaps]
Atlas TeamTBA Kelly
Betco Coker Tire Specialty tires, Denman
Big O TBC/Big O Kelly
Bilt-Mor Rott-Keller Co. Off-shore
Brigadier Reynolds Tire Conti General
Cambridge Dunlap & Kyle Various off-shore (MTR)
Candy Classic Fairmount Tire Dunlop (P-bias wide whitewall for classic cars)
Capitol Dynastar Int.
Coker Classic Coker Tire Specialty tires, Denman
Commander Coker Tire Specialty tires, Denman
CO-OP Triton Tire Bridgestone/Firestone, Kelly, Dunlop
Cordovan TBC Corp. Cooper, Kelly
Cornell Pep Boys Bridgestone/Firestone
Cosmo Tire Group Int. Chaoyang
Country Squire Triton Tire Kelly, Continental General
Custom Classic Lucas Automotive Bridgestone/Firestone, Denman (bias for classic cars 1930s-'50s)
Danzig Foreign Tire Sales Various (off-shore)
Delta Del-Nat Tire Corp. Yokohama (P, HP, LTR), Cooper (P, HP, LTR), China Manufacturers Alliance (MTR, MTB, MTLP), Cheng Shin (P, HP, LTR, IND, lawn/garden, ATV, boat trailer), Toyo (P), Denman (LTB, F/I-B), Alpha (LTB, MTB, IND, Alliance (F/I-R, F/I-B), Ceat (IND), Cupples (tubes)
Dick Cepek Dick Cepek Denman (LTR, LTB), Conti General (P, LTR), Titan Tire (ATV), Specialty tires (racing, specialty, motorcycle)
Double Coin China Mfrgs. All. Shanghai Tyre (MTR, MTLP)
Douglas Wal-Mart Stores Kelly
Dune Hopper Greenball Corp. Cheng-Shin (ATV)
Dune Slider Greenball Corp. Cheng-Shin (ATV)
Dune Tracker Greenball Corp. Cheng-Shin (ATV)
Duralon Midstates Dist. Bridgestone/Firestone
Durasteel Del-Nat Tire Corp. Cheng Shin (HP, metric)
Dynastar Dynastar Int. Various
Dynatex Dynatex Tire Off-shore
Dynatrac Heafner China Manufacturing Association
Eldorado Eldorado Tire Cooper (P, HP, LTR, LTB, MTB)
Embassy Tire Alliance Grp. Kelly
Euro-Tech Metric Tire Factory Continental General Tire
Excelsior Coker Tire Specialty tires, Denman
Fisk Discount Tire Michelin (P, LTR)
Fleetwood Fleetwood Mktg.
Freeway Greenball Corp. Cheng-Shin, various off-shore (LTB, bias trailer)
Futura Pep Boys Cooper, Bridgestone/Firestone
Gateway Dunlap & Kyle Denman (LTB, LTR, ATV, F/I-B), JK Tyre (india) (MTB), Titan Tire (ATV)
Specialty tires (F/I-B)
Goldenmark Triton Tire Kelly
Greenmaster Greenball Corp. Cheng-Shin (bias golf cart)
Greensaver Greenball Corp. Cheng-Shin (bias golf cart)
Ground Buster Greenball Corp. Cheng-Shin (ATV)
GT Reliable Tire Gajah Tunggal
Guardian Amer. Car Care Michelin (P, HP, LTR, LTB)
Guardsman Sears, Roebuck Kelly, Pirelli Tire Corp., Cooper
Harvest King TBC Corp. Bridgestone/Firestone Kelly
Hercules Hercules Tire Cooper (P, HP, LTR, LTB, MTB), Kumho (P, HP, LTR, MTR, MTLP), Woosung (P, LTR), Modi (MTB), Alliance (Israel) (F/I-R, F/I-B), China Tire (flotation-farm, LTB, MTB)
Heritage Summit Tire Kelly, Dunlop, Double Coin
Highland China Mfrgs. All. Various
Homaster Greenball Corp. Cheng-Shin (mobile home)
Hood Tire Centers Inc. Michelin North America (P, HP, LTR)
Insa Premier Lucas Autom. Goodyear (Model A Ford car)
Interco Interco Tire Various (LTR, LTB, ATV)
Jetzon Jetzon/Telstar Kelly
Jupiter Itochu Interntl. Woosung (Korea) (P, HP, LTR)
Kirkland Signature Costco Michelin (P, LTR)
Laramie Laramie Tire Kelly
Lester Universal Vintage Denman, Specialty tires
Lucas Lucas Autom. BFS, Denman, Trelleborg (Sweden), Nokian (Finland) (antique & classic auto, bias Model A truck)
Mark 300 Triton Tire Kelly
Maxima Tire Factory Continental General Tire
Merit Hercules Tire Cooper (P, HP, LTR), Woosung (P, HP)

Merlin Express Merlin Tire Modi (india) (MTB)
Metro Gene Savage Tire
Mickey Thompson Max Trac Tire Specialty tires (P-bias, LT-bias, racing, wide street), Cooper (P, LTB), Avon (racing)
Mitco Super Solid Mitco Inc. Various
Mohawk Indep. Tire Sales Yokohama (P, HP, LTR)
Motomaster Canadian Tire Kelly, Michelin, Bridgestone/Firestone (P, HP, LTR)
Mud Shark Greenball Corp. Cheng-Shin (ATV)
Mud Buster Greenball Corp. Cheng-Shin (ATV)
Multi-Mile TBC Corp. Cooper, Kelly
National Del-Nat Tire Corp. Cooper (P, HP, LTR), Yokohama (P, HP, LTR), Toyo (P), Cheng Shin (P, HP, LTR, IND, lawn/garden, ATV, boat trailer), Denman (LTB, F/I-B), Alpha (LTB, MTB, IND), Alliance (F/I-R, F/I-B), Ceat (IND), China Manufacturers Alliance (MTR, MTLP), Cupples (tubes)
Nitto Nitto Tire Toyo
Nordic Orion Tire Corp. Hangzhou (China) (P, IND (pneumatic solid)), Yantai (solid), Yinchuan (LTB, MTB), Double Happiness (China) (LTB), JK Tyre (india), Vikrant Tyre (india), Pearl River Tire (China) (MTB)
Orion Orion Tire Corp. Hangzhou (China) (P, IND (pneumatic solid)), Yantai (solid), Yinchuan (LTB, MTB), Double Happiness (China) (LTB), JK Tyre (india), Vikrant Tyre (india), Pearl River Tire (China) (MTB)
Osprey Greenball Corp. Cheng-Shin (P)
Outrigger OTR Wheel Titan, Specialty tires, Fidelity
Pacemark TeamTBA Kelly
Parnelli Jones Prog. Cust. Wheels Kelly
Patriot Sears, Roebuck Cooper
Phantom Discount Tire Michelin (P, HP, LTR, LTB)
Pit Bull Orig. Tire Mart Various
Pitchmaster Greenball Corp. Cheng-Shin (baseball pitching machine)
Pos-A-Traction Pos-A-Traction Kelly
Power King TBC Corp. Kelly, Hankook Denman
Powermaster Greenball Corp. Cheng-Shin (go kart)
Premium Sportway Fairmount Tire Denman, Fidelity (P low-rider applications)
President President Tire Bridgestone/Firestone, Conti General, Michelin North America
Pro Prof. Indust. Tire Various
Pro Trac Coker Tire Specialty tires, Denman
Pro Track Greenball Corp. Cheng-Shin (ATV)
Ram Mimco Inc. Specialty tires
Regul Heafner Michelin, Kelly (P, HP, LTR, LTB)
Response Sears, Roebuck Yokohama
Reynolds Reynolds Tire Conti General
Roadeo Boots Roadeo Inc. Kelly
RoadPro Hercules Tire P.T. Gadjah Tunggal (P, LTR)
Rubber Master Countrywide Ind. Greenball (Taiwan) , P.T. Deli (Indonesia)
Skandic Orion Tire Corp. Hangzhou (China) (P, IND (pneumatic solid)), Yantai (solid), Yinchuan (LTB, MTB), Double Happiness (China) (LTB), JK Tyre (india), Vikrant Tyre (india), Pearl River Tire (China) (MTB)
Secura Greenball Corp. Cheng-Shin (LTR)
Sentry Sears, Roebuck Cooper, Pirelli, Kelly
Shell TeamTBA Kelly
Shredder Greenball Corp. Cheng-Shin (ATV)
Sidewinder Tire Factory Continental General Tire
Sigma TBC Corp. Cooper, Kelly, Bridgestone/Firestone
Signet Hercules Tire Cooper (P), Woosung (P, LT)
Silvermark Triton Tire Kelly
Solo-Tech Tire Factory Continental General Tire
Sonic Parrish Tire Conti General
Spartan Reliable Tire Co. Kelly, Various
Stratton Indep. Tire Sales
Summit Summit Tire Kelly, Dunlop, Double Coin
Super Sport TeamTBA Kelly
Superguard Sears, Roebuck Kelly, Cooper
Tacoma Parrish Tire Cooper
Telstar Jetzon/Telstar Kelly
Temco Orig. Tire Mart Various
TNT Tire Group Int. GRL
Towmaster Greenball Corp. Cheng-Shin (boat trailer)
Trail Handler Sears, Roebuck Pirelli, Kelly, Cooper
Tredtech Parrish Tire Conti General & Yokohama
Tribune Indep. Tire Sales
Turnpike Parrish Tire Conti General
Ultra-Tech Major tires Kelly, JK Tyre (india), Apollo Tyres (india) Nankang (P, HP, LTR, LTB, MTB)
Universal Universal Vintage Denman, Specialty tires
76 Tosco Mkting. Kelly
Vagabond Tire Factory Continental General Tire
Vanderbilt Reynolds Tire Kelly
Viper Sears, Roebuck Cooper
Vogue Vogue Tyre Kelly
Wearmaster OTR Wheel Titan
Weathermark Triton Tire Kelly
Westlake Foreign Tire Sales Various (off-shore)
Winston Heafner Kelly
Wynstar China Mfrgs. All. Shanghai Tyre (P, HP, LTR)
YKS Foreign Tire Sales Various (off-shore)
Ziggurat Tirex Inc. Tornel (Mexico) Vikrant Tyres (india) Shandong Triangle Group (China)

House brand tires are made to the specifications of the Company buying them and are not equal to the Retail tires made by the Manufacturer under their brand name.

This can be confirmed just by weighing retail/house brand tires of the exact same size/tread layout/aspect ratio to see how much material is missing (internally) in the house brands (less sidewall thickness, less woven layers all over and smaller diameter steel in the woven steel belts are just a few of the things that are different) and also by checking the tire ratings to see that the Treadwear Grade number and what letters (ABC) the Traction Grades/Temperature Grades are can can quickly find that they completely different due to lesser quality rubber/synthetics blends used in house brands versus what is used in a retail brands.