Tyre glossary;
A quick reference dictionary of the technical terms you will find on a tyre, the EU label, and in our product descriptions.
- Load indexLI
- A number stating the maximum load the tyre can carry at its specified pressure. Example: LI 91 = 615 kg per tyre. Must be at least the value listed on your vehicle's registration document.
- Speed indexSI
- A letter stating the tyre's maximum sustained speed. Example: H = 210 km/h, V = 240 km/h, W = 270 km/h. Must match the legal speed limit of the road you drive on.
- Reinforced casingXL · Extra Load · Reinforced
- A tyre with a stronger structure and higher permitted pressure - it carries more load than the standard variant of the same size. Typical on SUVs, vans and heavier vehicles.
- Run-flat tyreRFT · ROF · SSR · Run Flat
- A tyre with a reinforced sidewall that supports the vehicle after a pressure loss. Allows 50-80 km of continued driving at up to 80 km/h. Must be fitted on an RFT-compatible rim.
- M+S marking
- Mud + Snow - a tyre declared suitable for mud and snow. Not a strict technical certification (assigned by the maker), but Croatia recognises it as legal winter equipment.
- Snowflake symbol3PMSF · Alpine
- Three-Peak Mountain Snow Flake - certified winter performance per EU standard. A stricter benchmark than M+S; required in Austria, Germany and Slovenia under winter conditions.
- DOT codeDOT
- Department of Transportation - a serial code on the sidewall ending in four digits: the first two are the production week, the second two the year. Example: 3624 = week 36 of 2024.
- EPREL databaseEPREL
- European energy-label database. Every tyre sold in the EU must have a registered EPREL ID with rolling resistance, wet grip and noise level. Verify via the QR code on the label.
- EAN barcodeEAN · GTIN
- European Article Number - a 13-digit unique product barcode. Used to identify the same tyre across different retailers.
- SAP codeSAP · MPN
- Internal SAP / manufacturer part number (MPN). More precise than EAN when several variants of the same model exist. Often printed next to the EAN on the label.
- Rolling resistanceRR · Rolling Resistance
- EU energy grade A-E on the tyre label. Class A can save up to 0.5 L/100 km of fuel compared to E. Lower resistance = better efficiency, but often a slightly shorter tread life.
- Wet grip
- EU grade A-E measuring braking distance on wet road. The gap between A and E can be 18+ metres at 80 km/h - one of the most important safety parameters.
- Noise level
- Exterior noise in dB plus an A-C class on the EU label. Quiet (A) usually means less cabin noise too. The A vs C gap is typically 4-6 dB, perceived as roughly twice as loud.
- TWI markersTWI · Tread Wear Indicator
- Small raised bars inside the tread grooves at 1.6 mm height. Once the tread wears down to the TWI, the tyre has reached the legal minimum (1.6 mm in the EU for summer; 4 mm recommended for winter).
- Tread pattern
- The patterned outer surface of the tyre - lateral grooves clear water, blocks grip, sipes bite into snow. Different patterns target summer, winter or all-season use.
- Sidewall
- The side face of the tyre between tread and rim. Carries every marking: size, LI/SI, brand, DOT. The most fragile part - kerb damage usually writes the tyre off.
- Asymmetric pattern
- A tread with different inner and outer halves. The inner side disperses water, the outer side improves cornering grip. OUTSIDE / INSIDE markings must be visible after fitting.
- Directional pattern
- A V-shaped groove pattern designed for a specific rotation direction. A ROTATION arrow shows the correct direction; reversing it drastically reduces water dispersal and aquaplaning resistance.
- Aquaplaning
- The tyre floats on a water layer when the tread grooves can no longer clear the water under the contact patch. Lower tread depth and higher speed both raise the risk. 4 mm is the recommended minimum depth for safe driving in the rain.
- UHP tyreUHP · Ultra High Performance
- Ultra High Performance - the segment for sports and premium vehicles. Typical low profile (≤45), SI W / Y / (Y), with the focus on dry grip and cornering precision. Shorter wear life than standard tyres.
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