Volkswagen ID.4: Tire labeling and tire classifications

Fig. 1 International tire labeling.

→ fig. 1 Tire labeling (example), meaning

1. Product name
   • Individual manufacturer tire designation.
2. DOT
   • The tire conforms to the legal requirements of the Department of Transportation in the USA, which is responsible for tire safety standards.
3. JHCO CHWS 2213
   • Tire Identification Number (TIN may only be on the inner side of the tire) and production date:
     • JHCO CHWS
       Code for the factory that produced the tire and specifications from the tire manufacturer for the tire size and tire characteristics.
     • 2213
       Production date: 22nd week in the year 2013.

Information for the end consumer about comparative values for specified base tires (standardized test procedures) :

4. TREADWEAR 280
   • Relative service life expectancy for the tire, based on a US-specific standard test. A tire with the specification 280 will wear 2.8 times more slowly than a standard tire with a tread wear value of 100. The tire performance depends on the usage conditions and may differ significantly from the standard values depending on the driving behavior, maintenance, different road conditions, and climate conditions.
5. TRACTION AA
   • Wet braking capability of the tire (AA, A, B or C). The wet braking capability is measured under controlled conditions on certified test courses. Tires marked with C have low traction performance. The traction value assigned to tires is based on straight-line traction test and includes neither acceleration and cornering, nor hydroplaning and traction under maximum load.
6. TEMPERATURE A
   • Temperature stability of the tire at high speeds on the test stand (A, B or C). Tires marked with A and B exceed the legal requirements. The temperature rating is based on the tires being inflated to the correct pressure and not overinflated. Excess speed, incorrect tire pressure, and overinflation either alone or in combination can cause heat to build up and cause tire damage.
7. 88 H
   • Load index → Tire load and speed rating → Speed rating.
8. Rotation and arrow
   • Tire running direction code → Unidirectional tires.

Or: Outside

• Code on the outside of the tire → Asymmetrical tires.

9. MAX INFLATION 350 KPA (51 psi/3.51 bar)
   • US limit for the maximum inflation pressure.
10. M+S or M/S or
    • Code for tires that can be used in the winter (mud and snow tires) (→ Winter tires).

      Studded tires are marked with an E after the S.

11. TWI
    • Indicates the location of the tread wear indicator (→ Tread depth and wear indicator).
12. Brand name, logo
    • Manufacturer.
13. 
    • Symbol for Volkswagen Genuine tires.
14. Made in Germany
    • Country of manufacture.
15. 
    • Country-specific code for China (China Compulsory Certification).
16. 023
    • Country-specific code for Brazil.
17. E4 e4 0200477-b
    • Identification according to international regulations with the number of the country that issued the approval. Approved tires in accordance with ECE regulations are marked with an E. Tires in accordance with EU regulations are marked with an e. The multi-digit approval number follows that.
18. RADIAL TUBELESS
    • Tubeless radial tires.
19. P 195 / 65 R 15 XL
    • P  Code for passenger vehicles.
    • 195  Tire width from one sidewall to the other in mm.
    • 65  Height and width ratio in %.
    • R  Belt construction code for radial.
    • 15  Rim diameter in inches.
    • XL  Reinforced tires ("Extra Load").
20. MAX LOAD 615 KG (1235 LBS)
    • US load capacity for the maximum load per tire.

SIDEWALL 1 PLY RAYON

• Specification for the components of the tire body.

  1 layer rayon.

21. TREAD 4 PLIES
    • Specification for the components of the running surface.

1 RAYON +
2 STEEL +
1 NYLON

• In the example, there are the following 4 layers under the running surface: 1 rayon layer, 2 steel belts, and 1 nylon layer.

The labeling is on both sides of the tire. In some cases, certain codes may only be on one side of the tire, such as the tire ID number and the production date.

Other digits that may be present are part of the internal labeling from the tire manufacturer or country-specific labeling.

Low-profile tires

Compared to other tire-rim combinations, low-profile tires offer a wider tread surface and a larger rim diameter with shorter tire sidewalls. Low-profile tires improve handling performance and precision. However, they may reduce the level of comfort when driving on roads in poor condition.

Unidirectional tires

The sidewalls on unidirectional tires are marked with arrows. The specified running direction must be followed. This ensures the optimum running characteristics.

If a tire is mounted opposite from the specified running direction, drive more carefully because the tire is not being used the way it was designed to be used. The tire must be replaced or mounted in the correct running direction as soon as possible.

Asymmetrical tires

Asymmetrical tires factor in the behavior of the inner and outer areas of the tread pattern. The sidewalls on asymmetrical tires are marked as the inner and outer side. Maintain the correct position of the tire on the rim.

Tire load

The tire load index indicates the maximum load of an individual tires in kilograms.

Some examples:

78

  425 kg (936 lbs)

81

  462 kg (1018 lbs)

83

  487 kg (1073 lbs)

85

  515 kg (1135 lbs)

87

  545 kg (1201 lbs)

88

  560 kg (1234 lbs)

91

  615 kg (1355 lbs)

92

  630 kg (1388 lbs)

93

  650 kg (1433 lbs)

95

  690 kg (1521 lbs)

97

  730 kg (1609 lbs)

99

  775 kg (1708 lbs)

100

  800 kg (1763 lbs)

101

  825 kg (1818 lbs)

102

  850 kg (1873 lbs)

103

  875 kg (1929 lbs)

104

  900 kg (1984 lbs)

Speed rating

The speed rating indicates the maximum speed that may be driven with the tire.

P

  max. 150 km/h (93 mph)

Q

  max. 160 km/h (99 mph)

R

  max. 170 km/h (106 mph)

S

  max. 180 km/h (112 mph)

T

  max. 190 km/h (118 mph)

U

  max. 200 km/h (125 mph)

H

  max. 210 km/h (130 mph)

V

  max. 240 km/h (149 mph)

W

  max. 270 km/h (168 mph)

Y

  max. 300 km/h (186 mph)

Z

  above 240 km/h (149 mph), depending on manufacturer also ZR.

Tire load and speed range

Vehicles within the EU and EU member states receive a Certificate of Conformity( COC). The COC contains specifications about the size and diameter as well as load capability and speed range of the tires approved by Volkswagen for the applicable vehicle model.

The model plate will indicate if the vehicle has a COC.

• If the model plate contains a line labeled "Authorization", then the vehicle has a COC.
• If there is no model plate or the "Authorization" line is not included, then the vehicle does not have a COC.