Mini 2008 Cooper Convertible - Manual (Page 114)

112
TIRE CODING
Knowing the tire code on the tire's sidewall
makes it easier for you to choose and iden-
tify the correct tires.
Tire size
e.g. 205/45 R 17 84 V
Nominal width in mm
Cross-sectional
ratio in %
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load index,
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter,
in front of the R on ZR tires
Speed code letters:
Q = up to 100 mph / 160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph / 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph / 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph / 240 km/h
W= up to 167 mph / 270 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines
of the US Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
e.g. DOT xxxx xxx 3506
Manufacturer's code
for tire make
Tire size and
tire version
Tire age
Tire age
The tire's date of manufacture is included
in the tire coding:
DOT...3506 means that the tire was manu-
factured in the 35th week of the year 2006.
The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends replacing all tires after 6 years at
the latest, even if a tire service life of
10 years is possible.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applica-
ble on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width.
For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT quality grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades. <
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and one-half, 1
γ, times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
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