In recent decades, crossover or SUV class vehicles have become super popular. These cars combine the qualities of a station wagon body, and thanks to the increased ground clearance, the cars are designed for use both in the city and off-road.

Such cars belong to the SUV class - which means Sport Utility Vehicle or sports utility car. There is also a subclass SAV, the abbreviation stands for Sport Actlvity Vehicle - a car for active pastime. These cars include the BMW X6, Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, Porsche Macan.

However, only the right tires can unlock the full potential of the car when driving off-road or provide maximum comfort on asphalt. It is worth familiarizing yourself with what the symbols mean in the marking and the decoding of the symbols on the rubber.

The fact that the tire is suitable for an SUV can be understood by the abbreviation suv printed on the sidewall. You can find it next to the model logo and the manufacturer's company name. As a rule, these tires come with additional marks like AT or AW.

There are various SUV tires s designed separately for winter or summer seasons, driving at high speed or driving on serious off-road, for urban SUVs or powerful SUVs. Each characteristic has its own designation, common to all brands. The ability to read the label will help you choose the best quality rubber.

Tire classification

First of all, you should pay attention to the dimensions of the wheels. These parameters can be applied in three different ways - according to the European specification or two American ones.


European values ​​are in millimeters and are the most common. The first parameter indicates the width of the tire, the second - the height of the profile in relation to the width, the third - the inner diameter. For example, if the SUV designation of the tire is 205 * 45 * R17, then its tread width is 205 mm, the profile height is 45, and the suitable wheel disks- 17th diameter. The letter R tells us that we have products with a radial cord weave.

The first version of the American marking resembles European classification, however, symbols are added to the dimension that determine the direction of the tires (P-Passanger, T-Rack, SUV and others).

Other markings use the inch system. The indicator 30*12*R18 means that 30 is the outer diameter, 12 is the tread width, and 18 is the inner diameter. This method is considered more convenient, because the profile height is a variable value, while the outer diameter is a constant. That is, a 185 * 45 * R18 tire may simply not fit in wheel arch when 165*45*R18 becomes normal.

Summer

Tire manufacturers of all brands produce footwear for cars for different seasons. Summer tires do not have a separate marking. If there are no badges on the wheel, then it is a priori considered summer.

The rubber compound of such tires consists of hard grades that perfectly withstand high speeds and temperature loads. Then the mixture simply sticks to the asphalt, providing maximum grip. But at low temperatures(below +7) such tires simply “tan” and do not provide proper grip.

Winter

Winter tires work differently. In its production, soft grades of rubber are used. Such a composition retains elasticity at negative thermometer values, and also has a branched tread pattern. This allows you to effectively remove water, dirt or snow slush without blurring the tread.

All winter kits have their own snowflake icon, indicating their direction. Studded or non-studded winter tires are available for modern Jeeps. The studs provide better traction on ice or packed snow, but lose out on normal road. Therefore, if the car drives around the city, where the snow is removed, then it is better to give preference to Velcro.

Velcro is divided into two types - European or Scandinavian. Tires differ in tread pattern. The first is focused on mild winters, the second - on the harsh. Thanks to the high profile, the suspension is slightly softer, but the noise from the tread is higher than on summer kits.

All season

All-season kits can be recognized by the index 4S (4 Season), AS (All Season) or M+S (mud+snow). In fact, such tires are only called all-weather tires - they are rather demi-season sets and they can't be ridden all the time.. It is not yet possible to develop a mixture composition that provides reliable adhesion over the entire temperature range. Therefore, in the production of this SUV tire, averaged characteristics were taken as a basis.

This means that tires work most efficiently at temperatures from -10 to +10 degrees Celsius. If you deviate from these indicators, the efficiency of work is significantly reduced. It is worth remembering this and being careful when driving, because overestimating the abilities of shoes can lead to unpleasant consequences.

How to choose?

The market has a huge variety of shoes for a new class vehicle SUV type. To understand which kits are right for you, you should evaluate the area of ​​\u200b\u200buse of the machine. If the car spends most of the time on the road, only occasionally getting out of the city and moving off the asphalt, then it makes sense to pay attention to highway-type tires - with an increased contact patch. It is advisable to take two sets - winter and summer, and not ride all year round on one shoe.

If the suv classification is not just on paper and you have to get out off-road, then tires with a universal pattern and an increased profile height are a good fit. Such a choice will provide the driver with more SUV functions, but will not deprive the comfort.

For experienced off-road drivers, avid hunters and fishermen, special rubber with additional lugs, reinforced cord and increased profile height is suitable. Often on such models there is stamping AT - All Terrain, talking about their off-road orientation.

Additionally, it is worth paying attention to the indicators of speed and maximum load on the wheel. They are located next to the size. The speed category is indicated by a Latin letter. For example, the letter T indicates that such a wheel will carry a speed of 190 km / h. The closer the letter is to the end of the alphabet, the higher the limit value. At the moment, the letter Y corresponds to 300 km / h.

One of the most important indicators is the load capacity index. It is adjacent to the category of speed and is expressed in a numerical designation. The higher it is, the more permissible load on one wheel. It is worth remembering that this parameter is calculated at the maximum pressure in the wheel. This indicator is applied closer to the inner edge.

Often on tires for an SUV you can find the letters EL next to this indicator or the word Reinforced. The presence of such a value indicates a reinforced tire structure and additional cord layers. With this marking, the load index increases by three units.

Also, the suv tire marking can be found with the rain icon, the words Aqua, or Rain. This means that the wheel has a developed tread that can effectively drain water and resist hydroplaning.

We have received a detailed decoding of SUV tire markings. But it should be remembered that tires are worth buying, based on the characteristics of operation and seasonality. In this case, you can count on getting the most out of the car and driving pleasure.

DESIGNATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF AUTOMOBILE TIRES

To ensure the best handling, stability and flotation, it is necessary that the tires are suitable for the vehicle and its operating conditions.

The tire consists of: carcass, breaker plies, tread, bead and side part.
Depending on the orientation of the cord threads in the carcass, tires are distinguished:
radial
diagonal
In radial tires, the cord threads are located along the radius of the wheel, and in diagonal tires, at an angle to the radius of the wheel, and the threads of adjacent layers intersect. Radial tires are more rigid, they have a longer resource, better contact patch shape stability, and lower rolling resistance.

1. Bead wire ring
2. Sidewall
3. Longitudinal tread groove
4. Shoulder protector
5. Central rib protector
6. Protector
7. Nylon belt layer
8. 2nd layer of steel breaker
9. 1st layer of steel belt
10. 2nd layer of textile frame
11. 1st layer of textile frame
12. Side tape
13. Heel board
14. Bead base
15. Toe board
16. Filler cord
17. Sealing layer
18. Undergroove tread

The tire has the following components:
- frame- the main power element of the tire, consisting of one or more layers of rubberized cord, usually fixed on the bead rings. Cord is a fabric consisting of thick warp threads and thin rare weft threads, made on the basis of natural or synthetic fibers, or thin steel threads (metal cord);
- breaker- the inner part of the tire, located between the carcass and the tread and consisting of several layers of rubberized metal or other cord. The breaker is designed to mitigate the shock loads on the tire that occur when the car is moving on the road;
- tread- the outer rubber part of the tire, usually with a relief pattern, providing traction and protecting the carcass from damage;
- sidewall- a layer of cover rubber located on the side wall of the tire, protecting the carcass from external damage;
- tire bead- hard part pneumatic tire, providing its fastening on the wheel rim.
In a diagonal tire breaker, the cords in adjacent layers intersect with each other at an angle of 45 to 60°, and in radial ones, at an angle of 45 to 65°.
Radial tires, unlike diagonal ones, have a carcass with a smaller number of cord layers, a powerful breaker (usually a metal cord), which provides them with less circumferential deformation during rolling and less tread slippage in contact with the road. Radial tires also have lower heat generation and lower rolling losses, longer service life, higher load and higher speed.

General information

Tires in execution can be chambered and tubeless, and in design radial and diagonal. Depending on the purpose and operating conditions, tires are divided into:
road(commonly called summer), are designed for use at positive temperatures on highways. Tires of this type provide the best grip on dry and wet roads, have maximum wear resistance and are best suited for high-speed driving. For driving on dirt roads (especially wet) and in winter, they are of little use.
winter used on icy and snowy roads, the traction of which may vary depending on the situation, from minimal (smooth ice or porridge of snow and water) to small (rolled snow in the cold). They have good road properties, somewhat inferior to the summer “rubber”. Many winter tires allow or have anti-skid studs.
all season are a compromise between summer and winter tires, therefore they are inferior in terms of grip to both the first and second in the conditions appropriate for the season. They allow year-round operation of the car on one set of tires.
universal have properties that allow them to be used both on highways and on dirt roads. It is advisable to use them for off-road vehicles that make approximately equal runs on highways and roads. It can be quite difficult to draw a clear line between them and all-season tires.
off-road designed for off-road and soft soils. It is desirable to use such tires only for occasional traffic on the highway. Otherwise, they will wear out faster and create a high level of noise.

Basic tire sizes:

seat diameter (d) on the wheel rim, indicated in inches;
profile width (s) mounted on a rim and inflated tire without load, indicated in millimeters or inches. This size must correspond to the seat width of the rim (Tables 1, 2, 3);
series (h)- the ratio of the profile height to its width in percent. If the series is not on the label, then this ratio is 80% or more;
outer diameter (D) is the diameter of the tire mounted on the rim and inflated without load. Specified in directories;
profile height (H)- the difference between the outer and landing diameters. Tires are not listed.

Tire tread patterns:

non-directional pattern (photo a) - symmetrical with respect to the radial plane of the wheel passing through its axis of rotation. It is the most versatile, so most tires are produced with this pattern;
directional pattern (photo b) - symmetrical with respect to the plane passing through the middle of the tread. It has an improved ability to drain water from the contact patch with the road and reduced noise;
asymmetric pattern (photo c) - not symmetrical with respect to the central plane of rotation of the wheel. It is used to implement different properties in one bus. For example, the outer side of a tire performs better on dry roads, while the inner side performs better on wet roads.

Tire designations:

Contains information about dimensions, tire design, speed and load ratings. In accordance with current standards, the designation of dimensions can be millimeter, inch or mixed.
1 - maximum load and pressure (according to the US standard);
2 - designation inside tires with an asymmetric* tread pattern. The outer side in this case is designated "OUTSIDE";
3 - number of layers and type of carcass cord and belt;
4 - trademark of the manufacturer;
5 - profile width;
6 - series;
7, 15 - designation of a radial tire;
8 - designation of a tubeless tire;
9 - landing diameter;
10 - load capacity index;
11 - speed index;
12 - designation of the direction of rotation of the tire on the car (with a directional tread pattern);
13 - date of manufacture, for example, the 28th week of 2001 (until 2000 - a three-digit number);
14 - sign of the official approval of the tire for compliance with UNECE Regulation No. 30, the conditional number of the country that issued the certificate, and the number of the certificate;
16 - model name.

Examples of tire designation according to GOST 4754-97:
1) 185/70R14
2) 215/90-15С
3) 5.90-13С
Numbers and letters mean:
185; 215; 5.90 - profile width in mm or inches;
70; 90 - series (the ratio of the height of the profile to its width in percent;
R - designation of a radial tire (the letter “D” is not indicated in the designation of a diagonal tire);
fourteen; 15; 13 - rim diameter in inches;
C - an index indicating that the tire is designed for light trucks and buses of especially small capacity.

In circulation there are tires with other designations, for example:
1) 6,15-13/155-13
6.15 and 155 - profile width in inches and millimeters;
13 - rim diameter in inches.
There is no R, so the tire is diagonal. Since no profile height value is specified, it exceeds 80%.
2) 31x10.5R15 (for off-road tires, all dimensions in inches)
31 - outer diameter;
10.5 - profile width;
R - radial tire;
15 - landing diameter.

Marking of tires of domestic production

In accordance with GOST 4754-97, the following mandatory inscriptions are applied to the tire:
trademark and (or) name of the manufacturer;
name of the country - manufacturer in English - “Made in…”;
tire designation;
trade mark (tire model);
bearing capacity index (carrying capacity);
speed category index (Table 4);
“Tubeless” - for tubeless tires;
“Reinforced” - for reinforced tires;
“M+S” or “M.S” - for winter tires;
“All seasons” - for all season tires;
the date of manufacture, consisting of three digits, the first two indicate the week of manufacture, the last - the year;
“PSI” - pressure index from 20 to 85 (only for tires with index “C”);
“Regroovable” - if it is possible to deepen the tread pattern by cutting;
approval mark "E" indicating the approval numbers and the country that issued the certificate;
"GOST 4754";
national mark of conformity to GOST (it is allowed to apply only in the accompanying documentation);
serial number of the bus;
direction of rotation sign (in the case of a directional tread pattern);
“TWI” - location of wear indicators;
balancing mark (except for tires 6.50-16С and 215/90-15С supplied for operation);
technical control stamp.

Foreign tire marking

They may have some other designations:
“Tous terrain” - all-weather;
“R+W” (Road + Winter) - road + winter (universal);
“Retread” - restored;
“Inside” - inside;
“Outside” - outer side;
“Rotation” - direction of rotation (for tires with a directional pattern);
“Side facing inwards” - the side facing inward;
“Side facing outwards” - the side facing outward (for asymmetric tires);
“Steel” - designation of the presence of steel cord;
“TL” - tubeless tire;
"TT" or "MIT SCHLAUCH" - tube tire.

Recommendations

It is desirable that all tires installed on the car are not only of the same size and design, but also of the same model and, if possible, of the same manufacturer. Despite the external similarity of some tread patterns, each tire model has a set of properties that are unique to it. When tires with a different, albeit very similar, pattern are installed on different axles of a car (this is allowed by the Rules of the Road), the grip properties will inevitably differ, which can adversely affect handling in critical situations. In case of forced installation of different tires, the following combinations should be avoided whenever possible:
low-profile “rubber” in front and high-profile rear;
studded tires are installed on the drive axle of a front - wheel drive car , and without studs on the rear ;
new tires are installed in front, and completely worn out tires in the back or vice versa, etc.
The last two options are especially dangerous, since on wet or icy asphalt the grip of the rear tires with the road is significantly reduced, which can lead to a skid and an accident.
All tires, even within the same type, differ in rubber chemistry, internal construction, and tread pattern. This is due to the fact that it is impossible to make an “ideal” tire that would provide the maximum realization of the characteristics of the car under all road conditions. Therefore, manufacturers produce tires:
with a certain specialization, when one (or two) properties are most developed (as a rule, to a small detriment to others). For example, a highway comfort tire, while having low noise and good running smoothness, may not provide good stability and handling at high speeds. Or the tire has an extended life and provides a reduction in fuel consumption (compared to other models) due to low rolling resistance, but may not provide good comfort, stability and handling. As a rule, all major manufacturers (unfortunately, so far mostly foreign) indicate in their brochures what exactly the best properties a given tire model has. True, at the same time they are silent about what properties they “sacrificed”;
with average properties, approximately equal in size, to ensure an acceptable realization of vehicle characteristics in a wide range of road conditions.
Therefore, before choosing tires, you must determine:
what properties of tires, in addition to reliable grip, are most important to you - “sportiness”, comfort, economy, etc.
conditions in which the car will be used for a longer time;
maximum load capacity and speed, tire dimensions that must match the car.
When switching to another dimension, it is desirable that the outer diameter of the tire does not change, which can be calculated using the formula: D = 25.4d + 2sh,
where d is the wheel diameter (inches), s is the tire profile width (mm), h is the tire series (the ratio of the tire profile height to its width in %). Recommended replacement options are given in table. five.
It should be borne in mind that the operation of tires at maximum speeds and loads significantly reduces their life.

Subtleties of tire MARKING

If the car manufacturer allows you to vary the size of the tires within certain limits, then wider tires are preferable for summer. On them, the car slows down a little better and slips less during intensive acceleration. But at the same time, it handles worse in small radius turns - the tire has to slip due to the fact that the opposite sides of the tread pass different paths, and the wider the tire, the greater the slip difference. Besides wide tires float in puddles at a lower speed than narrow ones.
The handling and stability of the car, and ride smoothness directly depend on the series or height of the tire profile. A high sidewall resists bumps better, but in corners, such a tire will break, be late with the reaction, and change the trajectory. But a low-profile tire is tough and does not tolerate bad roads.
A separate category of tires is "M+S" (mud and snow). Such tires have mediocre performance on asphalt, but have advantages on primers and snowy roads. However, on the latter they behave worse than real winter ones, additionally marked with a badge with a three-headed mountain peak and a snowflake. However, the icon may not be.
Another "semi-all-terrain" category - All season - all-season tires. To some extent, they are close to "m + s" type tires, since they allow both summer and winter operation. Such versatility is acceptable in warm regions where winters are short and not cold and summers are not very hot. Universal tires are noticeably behind summer tires in summer and from winter - in winter.
Run-flat tires (not afraid of punctures, thanks to reinforced sidewalls) have their own distinctive marking, which is shown in the table:

Other markings that can be found on tires are shown in the table.:.

Marking	What does	Note
All season or Tous terrain	All season
R+W (Road+Winter)	Road + winter (all-weather)
M+S, M&S or M(.)S (mud+snow)	mud and snow
XL (extra load)	Increased load capacity	The actual load capacity of a tire is determined by the load index
R or Radial	Radial tire design
Reinforced	reinforced
Retread	restored
regroovable	Grooving/grooving possible
Rotation (used with an arrow)	Direction of tire rotation	Only for tires with directional tread type
Inside or Side facing inwards	Inner side of the side
Outside or Side facing outwards	Outer side of the side	Only for tires with asymmetric tread type
C (commercial)	For light trucks and vans	Usually located at the end of the tire size marking
P (passenger)	Passenger car
LT (light truck)	For light trucks and buses	On American tires. May be located in front of the tire size marking.
SUV	For SUVs
Steel or Steel belted	Steel cord breaker
Tubeless or TL	Tubeless
Tube type or TT	With a camera
TWI (Tread wear indication)	Tread depth wear indicator
The letter "E" in a circle with a digital index	Confirmation of tire type certification for compliance with UNECE Regulation No. 30.	The digital index in a circle is the number (code) of the country that carried out the certification, outside the circle is the number of the certificate.
maximum load …	It is better to focus on the load index
Maximum Pressure …	US maximum tire pressure
ETRO	European technical organization for tires and rims
ECE	European Economic Commission
DOT	US Department of Transportation
FMVSS	Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard

For gourmets
These prefer to select a set of tires from the same batch, trying to avoid even minimal deviations in properties. Then you need to pay attention to the type marking: "DOT GU N4 FRVX 1908". On the Michelin tires collectively, this is referred to as the manufacturer's certificate number in accordance with the DOT, and means the following:
DOT (Department of Trasnpotation) - US Department of Transportation;
GU - manufacturer's code;
N4 - size code:
FRVX - an additional code, often including the batch or brigade number;
1908 (may be pressed separately from DOT) - the first two digits indicate the week of the year (here 19), the last two - the year (2008) of the tire.
ECE, ETRO and FMVSS certificates can be applied.
Tires different parties if they differ, then not so much that the consumer notices it. The difference is usually negligible.
I will reveal a little secret, which many tire manufacturers try not to advertise for obvious reasons. Vehicle manufacturers have specific requirements for OE tires. Mercedes, for example, focuses on comfort, BMW - on handling - as a result, the balance of tire properties changes slightly. At the same time, the name and tread pattern remain intact, and it is impossible to distinguish them by sight. Therefore, special marks are applied to them, which are shown in the table:

Additional markings on tires supplied as original equipment
Installed at the request of automakers:

Note: Michelin recommends:
1. It is unacceptable to use tires without the appropriate marking on cars of the brand in bold.
2. Tires in bold type cannot be used on vehicles from another manufacturer.

Tires without such a marking are average, and go on sale or to complete cars without special requirements for tires.
If you're picking up one tire from a BMW or Porsche, it's best to check if it has a special marking. If there is, look for exactly the same when ordering through a car dealer. It is clear that such a tire will cost more than a regular store. But only then can you be sure that emergency the car will not buckle with an “average tire”. If you can't find one, you'll have to buy all four from a regular tire shop.

About hernia resistance
An increase in the speed and load ratings does not mean that the tire will be less afraid of breakdowns and lapping to the curbs. But there are still some small benefits. Faster tires are structurally stronger in the radial direction. Often due to a reinforcing pad between the breaker and the frame. These tires are slightly less vulnerable to impact but tend to be stiffer and noisier.
Tires with a higher load rating are distinguished not only by additional underlayment, but also by reinforced sidewalls. They are indeed more durable. Tires for cars of the SUV category also reinforce the shoulders with linings, so if you have to drive on broken roads, you can choose those that are suitable in size and speed capabilities. By the way, some imported cars for Russian market manufacturers complete with tires of obviously greater carrying capacity. Keep in mind that they are heavier, less comfortable, and increase fuel consumption. In addition, hard tires do not absorb impact energy well, so the suspension and bodywork suffer more. A variant of some increase in “hernia resistance” is an increase in pressure above the recommended one by 0.3-0.5 bar. But let's not forget that this will worsen the grip of the wheels with the road and the smoothness of the ride.

Shoulder tattoo

1. Recently, the sidewalls of tires from some manufacturers have been decorated with pictures of something like the following.
From left to right, this means: summer, rain, snow, fuel economy, confident cornering. Others, if they introduce similar badges, try to keep them on the company's website, because this information is needed only when choosing tires.

2. "Green" tires are characterized by reduced fuel consumption and reduced noise levels. How much - only the manufacturer himself knows.
this badge is used by Michelin. And Nokian and Pirelli - embossed leaves

3. The three-headed snowflake top indicates that the tires are built for tough winter conditions. Used as additional marking for M+S tires

4. The most convenient wear indicator (Nokian) - a quick glance at the tread is enough to find out what it is residual depth(the numbers are “squeezed out” to a certain depth) and whether the tires have retained the ability to remain winter (the snowflake will be erased from the tread when the depth of its grooves remains less than 4 mm)

5. Another Nokian trick is marking the position of the wheels on the car when changing tires seasonally.

6. The interpretation of round and triangular color marks on the sidewalls of tires is not regulated by any international or European document. For example, Bridgestone, Yokohama, Kumho, label products in accordance with the requirements of car manufacturers. Therefore, colored marks can be found on tires intended for original equipment.
The most common interpretation of yellow marks is the lightest part of the tire. Red indicates the location of the maximum force heterogeneity or the heaviest part of the tire. A white mark of any shape is a fragment of the OTC stamp.
The colored stripes in the tread grooves are usually logistical signals that make life easier for warehouse workers. To know for sure what each specific colored strip or label of any configuration means, you will have to contact the tire manufacturer.

Sergey Mishin took part in the preparation of the article

Nokian tires are Finnish-made tires that have gained popularity around the world due to their quality and reliability. Today the company is engaged in the production of tires for all types of cars.

Most of the company's modern models have indicators for wear, break-in, temperature drop, which greatly facilitate the use and maintenance of tires. Additional additives in the rubber compound extend the life of Nokian tires.

One of the company's core research areas is studded winter tires. Work in this area allowed Nokian engineers to create innovative spikes that make almost no noise. At the same time, they do not lose their operational properties even after 4 seasons of continuous use. Porsche included winter tires Nokian in the official list of basic equipment of their cars.

On the Express-Shina website in Moscow, you can buy Nokian tires for any car and any climatic conditions quickly, cheaply and without any hassle. Using the intelligent search on the site or calling our managers on the hotline, you will quickly find the model you need.