It’s important not to go over the maximum load as it could be dangerous. The tyre speed rating won’t be accurate and it could affect the way the tyres perform and handle. Tip: There is no such thing as over-cleaning. If you want your tyre letters to last the lifetime of the tyre, preparation is the key. The EU tyre label is a simple and effective way to compare the performance of tyres and help decide which are the best for your needs. If the tyre speed rating’s too low for your car, it might not be able to cope with the heat of high speeds. That could cause the tyre to lose performance and the car to lose control. It could even lead to a tyre blow-out.

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Also, the external noise is also important, as tyres with a higher rating will be noisier than those with a lower rating.

As well as being a handy comparison tool, the label gives manufacturers an incentive to produce better tyres. This has worked for domestic appliances, where the level of improvement has led the authorities to re-evaluate the rating scales. The tyre speed rating’s also important for legal reasons. If you have a lower tyre speed rating than you should, it might invalidate your car insurance. This chart shows you the maximum speed is for each tyre speed rating letter. The system is based on kilometres per hour (kmh), which is why the increments seem odd in miles per hour (mph).

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M+S’– Nope, not Marks & Spencer. A marking like this tells you that your tyre is ideal for mud and snow conditions. Yes, you can. It’s not against the law to choose tyres with a higher speed rating that your car needs as long as they’re right for your vehicle. It’s safest to fit the same size and type of tyre, with the same speed rating, on all your wheels. Find out more: Radial tyres are marked with the letter R. Radial tyres are constructed with the cord plies positioned at a 90 degree angle to the direction of travel to give the tyre additional strength. Almost every new tyre manufactured today is a radial tyre. Wheel diameter

Tyre manufacturers produce different tyres that have different patterns. The pattern of your tyre will be displayed clearly on the tyre sidewall. 3. Country of Manufacture Pre-positioning the unglued lettering on the tyre is the first step in determining where your lettering should be finally glued down. Select a suitable area as per your decal size. Select an area which is comparatively smoother (with minimum markings). Now that you have removed the tyre, you need to scrub it as hard as possible. This step removes all the dirt and oil present and gives it a dull look. Once you have washed the tyre and noticed the dullness, wipe it with a clean rag until dry. Exterior noise levels are split into three categories and the figure is the noise level measured in decibels (dB). The curved bars on the tyre icon show the tyre’s noise emissions compared with European Union regulations.The load index is a numerical code, in the image represented by 105, and this refers to the maximum load that a tyre can carry. The load index is directly related to a weight in kilograms as displayed by the table below. In this example, the load index of the tyre is 105 so the maximum load it can carry is 925kg. Load Index This is important to ensure that the tyres you buy are suitable for your vehicle, as the wrong size or speed rating can be dangerous. Generic tyre size guidelines below, however this is just a guide and we would always recommend measuring your actual tyre sidewall. If in any doubt about the size you need, it is safest to size to the same letter height as per the manufacturers tyre brand letters. We do not make, nor do we seek to make, any recommendations on financial products or services that are regulated by the FCA, as we’re not regulated or authorised by the FCA to advise you in this way. In some cases, however, we have included links to regulated brands or providers with whom we have a commercial relationship and, if you choose to, you can buy a product from our commercial partners. A fuel efficiency rating gives you an indication of how much fuel your tyres will use, so you can decide which are the most economical for your car.