HOW TO READ YOUR CAR TYRE

The tyre is the ONLY element to make contact between the vehicle and the road. That is why using and maintaining tyres correctly, as well as being aware of their characteristics, is fundamental in order to guarantee safety in any situation, to increase your tyres’ lifespan and to save money. Always remember to drive safely and respect the environment.

If you drive with tyres with a tread-depth of less than 1.6 mm, you could face a fine
Overview

SIDEWALL MARKINGS

On the tyre sidewall there are several different inscriptions. As well as the name of the brand and the range, the size and characteristics of the tyres are marked: nominal width, ratio between nominal section height and nominal section width, structure or construction code, rim diameter and load and speed index.
Discover marked tyres
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Nominal section width
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Nominal aspect ratio (%)
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Structure or construction code and rim diameter (inches)
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Load and speed index code

TYRE PRESSURE

The tyre pressure has a strong influence to the safety and economy of a vehicle.
Tyre pressure when cold (never try to adjust the pressure while the tyre is hot) must therefore be checked regularly (every month), especially before a long trip

BRAKING DISTANCE

Braking distance is related to the tyre pressure. At a driving speed of 100 km/h, the braking distance with correctly inflated tyres will be 40 m compared to 42.4 m with deflated tyres. Performance is therefore improved by almost 6%, equal to 2.4 m.

BrakingDistance

TYRE WEAR

Incorrect inflation pressure causes irregular tyre wear. Pressure that is too low causes shoulder wear and carries the risk of structurally damaging the tyre. Pressure that is too high causes wear to the centre of the tyre.

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Keep your tyres at the correct pressure

TYRE INTEGRITY

A tyre is made of rubber, steel and fibres. Steel and fibres are structural materials, the rubber has the function of protecting them against environmental influences.
The rubber itself can be damaged by chemicals or other environmental influences


Sharp objects, strong impacts or other mistreatment can cause visible and invisible structural defects


integrity_sprite_box1


Also tyre pressure that is too low causes structural defects


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High temperatures and sunlight can destroy the rubber


integrity_sprite_box3
Check for visible damage

TYRE TREAD DEPTH

The tread depth is a substantial safety factor. It has an important influence on the vehicle’s contact with the ground

BRAKING DISTANCE

While braking, the Antiblock Braking System is controlling the wheel at the slip threshold and water is collected. The tyre tread becomes saturated and the braking distance increases drastically.

Braking distance in metres and remaining speed:

TreadDepth_BrakingDistance

HYDROPLANING

Hydroplaning depends on water depth, tread depth and driving speed.
In order to measure hydroplaning, a car is driven into a basin with 8 mm water and speeds up. As soon as the motor works harder without speeding up, hydroplaning starts.

TreadDepth_Hydroplaning
Check the tread depth

TYRE SEASONAL CHANGE-OVER

The correct choice of seasonal change-over is fundamental for safe driving. Summer tyres in summer, winter tyres in winter. Braking distance, traction and stability all strongly depend on the adequate rubber compound

GRIP IN DIFFERENT OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES

Winter tyres not only ensure grip on snow, they perform better than summer tyres whenever the temperature drops below 7°C. Pirelli recommends fitting winter tyres to ensure mobility on every surface and in all cold weather conditions.

Seasonal_Grip

BRAKING BEHAVIOUR

From +7°C and under, summer tyres have longer braking distances, and drastically less grip on snow.

Seasonal_BrakingBehaviour
Conditions change under +7°C