width VOLVO S40 2007 Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: VOLVO, Model Year: 2007, Model line: S40, Model: VOLVO S40 2007Pages: 208, PDF Size: 5.99 MB
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Federal law  mandates that tire manufacturers place standardized information on the sidewall of all tires (see the
illustration).
The following information is listed on the tire sidewall:
The tire designation (the following figures are examples of a  tire designation):
1. 215: the width of the tire (in millimeters) from  sidewall edge to sidewall edge. The larger the number, the wider the
tire.
2. 65: The ratio of the tire's height to its  width.
3. R: Radial tire.
4. 15: The diameter of the wheel rim (in inches).
5. 95: The tire's load index. In this  example, a  load index of 95 equals a  maximum load of 1521 lbs (690 kg).
6. H : The tire's speed rating, or the maximum speed at which  the tire is designed to be  driven for extended periods  of
time, carrying a  permissible load for the vehicle, and  with correct inflation pressure. For example, H indicates a  speed
rating of 130 mph (210 km/h).
 NOTE 
This information may not appear on the tire because it is not required by law.
7. M+S  or M/S  =  Mud and  Snow, AT  =  All Terrain,  AS =  All Season
8. U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN) : This begins with the letters  "DOT" and  indicates that the tire meets
all federal standards. The next two numbers  or letters  are the plant code where  it was manufactured, the next two are
the tire size code and  the last four numbers  represent the week and  year the tire was built. For example, the numbers
317 mean the 31st week of 1997. After 2000 the numbers  go to four digits. For example, 2501 means the 25th week of
2001. The numbers  in between are marketing codes used at the manufacturer's discretion.  This information helps a  tire
manufacturer identify a  tire for safety recall purposes.
9. Tire Ply Composition  and Material Used : Indicates the number of plies indicates or the number of layers of
rubber-coated fabric in the tire tread and  sidewall. Tire manufacturers also must  indicate the ply materials in the tire
and  the sidewall, which  include  steel, nylon, polyester, and  others.
10. Maximum  Load : Indicates the maximum load in pounds and  kilograms that can be  carried by the tire. Refer to the
vehicle's tire information placard  or the safety certification label,  located on the B-Pillar or the driver's door or on the
inside of the fuel filler  door on Canadian models, for the correct tire pressure for your vehicle.
11. Treadwear, Traction, and Temperature grades : See  page 165
 for more information.
12. Maximum  permissible inflation pressure : the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be  put in the tire.
This limit is set by the tire manufacturer.
161 07 Wheels and tires
Tire designations
The tire suppliers may have additional markings, notes or warnings such as standard load, radial tubeless, etc.
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vehicle because this  will lower the vehicle's GVW rating. Replacement tires with a  higher limit than the originals do
not increase the vehicle's GVW rating limitations.
165 07 Wheels and tires
Uniform tire quality  gradings
Uniform tire quality  gradings
ALL PASSENGER  VEHICLE TIRES  MUST CONFORM TO  FEDERAL SAFETY  REQUIREMENTS IN
ADDITION TO  THESE GRADES
Quality grades can be found,  where applicable, on the tire sidewall  between the tread shoulder and maximum
section  width.  For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA  Temperature A
TREADWEAR
The treadwear  grade is a  comparative  rating based on the wear  rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions
on a  specified government test course. For example, a  tire graded 150 would wear  one  and  one  half (1 1/2) times as
well on the government course as a  tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however,  and  many depart significantly from  the norm due  to variation in driving habits,
maintenance practices and  differences  in road characteristics and  climate.
TRACTION
The traction grades, from  highest to lowest, are AA,  A, B, and  C, as measured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and  concrete.  A tire marked C may have poor traction performance. The traction
grade assigned  to this  tire is based on braking (straight-ahead) traction tests and  is not a  measure of cornering (turning)
traction.
 WARNING 
The traction grade assigned  to this  tire is based on braking (straight-ahead) traction tests and  is not a  measure of
cornering (turning) traction.
TEMPERATURE
The temperature grades are AA  (the highest), A, B, and  C, representing  the tire's resistance  to the generation of heat
and  its  ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a  specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and  reduce tire life, and  excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a  minimum level  of performance that all
passenger  vehicle tires must  meet  under the Federal Motor Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and  A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
 WARNING 
The temperature grade for this  tire is established  for a  tire that is properly inflated and  not overloaded.  Excessive
speed, under-inflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and  tire
failure.
166 07 Wheels and tires
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