The meaning of sidewall markings
Tyre sidewall markings help vehicle users to identify, purchase and correctly maintain their tyres. Initially they were only used to help identify the tyre's make. Over the years, Government legislation has demanded safety markings be posted in order to help buyers know they are getting a legal tyre.
Markings now fall into two main groups:
- Those essential markings which tyre manufacturers have long used to indicate make, size and type (including recommended inflation pressure and direction of rotation)
- Markings which have been added over the years in order to respect the requirements of legislation in the principal areas where UK tyres are used: UK, USA, Australia and Europe
Other markings of importance that may appear on the sidewall where applicable are:
Reinforced: a marking which is added adjacent to the tyre size marking to indicate that the tyre has a higher load carrying capacity than the standard tyre. The principal application of 'reinforced' type tyres is on vans and light trucks but they are also fitted to certain estate cars and caravans.
M and S: mud and snow - a marking to identify tyres with a winter tread pattern. In the case of 'V' or 'Z' tyres with no service description, the maximum load permitted at the maximum speed of the vehicle must be shown on the sidewall.
