Tire Care & Safety
Reading Your Tire
These are the main parameters for measuring a tire:
Section Width - SW
This parameter indicates the outer sidewall distance without taking into consideration the prominences due to tire code marking. The section width is measured after the tire being properly mounted on the reference rim and inflated at the pressure recommended by the manufacturer for at least 24 hours without any load.
Overall Width - OW
This parameter indicates a tire’s section width at its largest point including all prominences such as tire code marking, sidewall lettering, tire brand, etc. The overall width is measured after the tire being properly mounted on the reference rim and inflated at the pressure recommended by the manufacturer for at least 24 hours without any load.
Static Loaded Radius - SLR
This parameter indicates the vertical distance between the ground and the tire rotation axis. It is measured with the tire inflated at its nominal pressure, properly mounted on its reference rim at maximum load according to the values defined in the load index.
Section Height – SH
This parameter indicates the vertical section of the tire. It is calculated based on the overall diameter less the rim diameter divided by two.
Overall Diameter - OD
This parameter is measured after the tire being properly mounted on the reference rim and inflated at the pressure recommended by the manufacturer for at least 24 hours without any load.
Static Loaded Width - SLW
This parameter indicates the outer distance between the tire sidewalls. It is measured with the tire inflated at its nominal pressure, properly mounted on its reference rim at maximum load according to the values defined in the load index.
Load Index - LI
The load index is a numeric code that defines the tire´s maximum loading capacity in kg. For each tire type/size, the loading capacity is always related to a specific inflation pressure as defined by ETRTO standards and manufacturer specifications.
Speed Code - SC
The speed code is a symbol that indicates the maximum speed admitted at the given load index, following any other specific conditions defined by the tire manufacturer.