The Sidewall is the "smooth", vertical area on the side of the tire between the edge of the tread and the bead of the tire, which does not include any area where tread grooves are still visible.

What is a TYRE wall?

Tyre sidewall markings are predominantly used for two reasons. Firstly, they indicate the size and specification of the tyre and secondly, they indicate that the tyre has passed the necessary standards required to make it road safe and legal.

How do you read a TYRE sidewall?

1. TIRE SIZE.
2. P identifies your tire as a Passenger Tire. ...
3. 225 identifies the tire section width, which is the measurement of the tire from sidewall to sidewall in millimeters. ...
4. 50 is the two-figure aspect ratio. ...
5. R indicates the construction used within the tires casing.

What is the sidewall?

1 : a wall forming the side of something. 2 : the side of an automotive tire between the tread shoulder and the rim bead.

Which number on tire is sidewall?

The two-digit number after the slash mark in a tire size is the aspect ratio. For example, in a size P215/65 R15 tire, the 65 means that the height is equal to 65% of the tire's width. The bigger the aspect ratio, the bigger the tire's sidewall will be.

The Ultimate Guide To Tire Sidewalls - How Good Are Your Tires?

What does 103W mean on a tire?

The number is the load index, it indicates the maximum load that a tyre can carry, and the W is the speed index, it indicates the maximum speed that the tyre can reach. 103W – Load 875 kg (approx 1929 lbs), Speed 270 km/h (approx 168mph) 107W – Load 975 kg (approx 2148 lbs), Speed 270 km/h (approx 168 mph)

What does 95y mean on a tire?

The number is the load index. The higher the number, the more weight the tires can handle. In this case, "96" means the tire can handle 1,565 pounds, while the "Y" indicates the tire is rated to be safe at speeds up to 186 miles per hour.

Can you patch a tire near the sidewall?

Regardless of the type of tire, the closer the puncture is to the sidewall, the harder it is to patch it. This is because of the way sidewalls are built. ... Any puncture closer than an inch to the sidewall is beyond mending and should not be patched. This tire, instead, should be replaced.

How close to sidewall can tire be plugged?

Any puncture less than 1/2 inch from the start of the internal steel belt on the shoulder or sidewall of the tire cannot be repaired (highlighted in red). A tire puncture greater than 1/4 inch (or 6mm) cannot be repaired. A new tire replacement is needed if a puncture exceeds this limit.

Can you patch a tire sidewall?

The puncture is within the tread area* of the tire – sidewall punctures are NOT repairable. The tire puncture is ¼ inch in diameter or less. ... If any one of the above requirements are not met, then the tire cannot be repaired safely. However, if the tire is repairable, then a patch-plug can be utilized.

What do the numbers on the side of Tyres mean?

The first number is the width of the tyre in millimetres. Therefore, this radial tyre has a width of 205mm. The '65' confirms the height shown as a percentage of the full tyre width. ... The number '16' is the wheel rim diameter stated in inches. This tyre will fit over a rim that is 16 inches.

Where is the date on a tyre?

Their 'date of birth' is written on the tyre sidewall. Look out for a four-digit code. The first two figures represent the calendar week in which it was made (from 1 to 52) and the second two figures are the year of manufacture.

Is it safe to drive with sidewall damage?

It is never safe to drive on a tire with sidewall damage and that is because as you drive, the puncture, hole, or injury to the sidewall of the tire becomes bigger and worse, thereby putting yourself and other road users at risk due to possible sudden tire blowouts.

What can puncture tires?

Punctures are the consequence of sharp objects on the road – for example, nails, screws, or broken glass – which pierce through the surface of the tire. If the puncture is deep enough, the tire could begin to lose air pressure.

Is tyre sidewall damage an MOT failure?

Tyre sidewall damage

Any damage to your tyre sidewalls puts you at risk of a blowout, increasing the chances of a serious accident. If your tyres are found to have any sidewall damage, your vehicle will fail its MOT.

How thick is the sidewall of a tyre?

A passenger car tyre will consist of 1,2 or 3 textile layers, each between 1 and 1.5 mm in thickness.

Should you leave a nail in your tire?

If you get a Nail in your tire, you should remove it as soon as possible. You can drive short distances with a nail in your tire but you should not just leave it there and continue to drive for a long period of time. It is very unsafe for not only you but the other drivers you share the road with as well.

How long can you drive with a screw in your tire?

Ans: The distance you can move with a screw in your tire depends on how deep-set it is in the tire. If it is a long nail, you may drive for around 10-miles to notice that you have a looming issue. When you discover the problem, sort it out immediately for the best experience on the road.

Is patching a tire a permanent fix?

It has a rubber plug that is built into it, so once this is pulled through, the metal piece comes off, the inside is a patch, it seals the inside, it seals the outside, it's considered a permanent repair.

Is it better to plug a tire or patch it?

Plugs, when installed correctly and in the right situations, can help a tire last for up to 25,000 additional miles. But while plugs can be effective, usually patches are considered to be the better, more secure option of the two. The patch/plug combo is the safest and most reliable option.

Do tire plugs last?

On average, tire experts predict that a proper plug and patch can last from seven to ten years. Although tire patches can last a long time, a tire should never be patched more than once. It can negatively affect the speed rating and potentially cause blowouts.

What does 92 mean on a TYRE?

The 92 represents the maximum load the car can carry. The range of load ratings is vast and each number corresponds to a chart that shows how many pounds a single tire can carry. In this case, the 92 means it can support 1,389 pounds.

What's the difference between 95y and 95w?

95 is like 1500lb load rating per tire. W is 168mph roll rate limit Y is 186mph.

What does Y mean in tire?

Speed rating

“Y” is the highest rating and it means the tire can handle speeds of up to 186 mph. “S” is the lowest speed rating, which means the tire is safe for up to 112 mph. “Z” used to be the highest rating for speeds over 149 mph.