Saab 2008 9-5 - Manual (Page 229)

229 Car care and technical information
Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is molded
into it´s sidewall.
Tire size: The tire size ia a combination of
letters and numbers used to define a partic-
ular tire´s width, height, aspect ratio, con-
struction type and service description.
Department of Transportation (DOT):
The Department of Transportation (DOT)
code indicates that the tire is in compliance
with the U.S. Department of Transportation
Motor Vehicle Safety standards.
Tire Identification Number (TIN): The let-
ters and numbers following DOT code are
the Tire Identification Number (TIN). The
TIN shows the manufacturer and plant
code, tire size, and date the tire was manu-
factured. The TIN is molded onto both sides
of the tire.
Tire Ply Material: The type of cord and
number of plies in the sidewall and under
the tread.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG):
Tire manufacturers are required to grade
tires based on performance factors: tread-
wear, traction and temperature resistance.
For more information see “Uniform Tire
Quality Grading” on page 226.
Maximum Cold Inflation Load Limit: Max-
imum load that can be carried and the max-
imum pressure needed to support that load.
For information on recommended tire pres-
sure see “Lowest recommended tire pres-
sure, cold tires” on page 269and “Loading
Your Vehicle” on page 231.
Tire Size
The following illustration shows an example
of a typical passenger car tire size.
Tire Width: The three-digit number indi-
cates the tire section width in millimeters
from sidewall to sidewall.
215 / 55 R 16 93 H
| | | | | |
a b c d e f
a Tire Width
b Aspect Ratio
c Belt Rating
d Rim diameter
e Load range
f Speed rating
95_US_M08.book Page 229 Friday, May 11, 2007 1:06 PM