How to Read a Maxxis Tire Date Code

Tire Technical Information

Federal police requires tire manufacturers to place standardized information on the sidewall of all tires. This data identifies and describes the fundamental characteristics of the tire and likewise provides a tire identification number for rubber standard certification and in case of a recall.

Tire Sizing

P: Vehicle Blazon
The "P" indicates the tire is for passenger vehicles.

LT: Vehicle Type The "LT" indicates the tire is for light truck vehicles.

215: Tire Width This three-digit number gives the width in millimeters of the tire from sidewall edge to sidewall border. In general, the larger the number, the wider the tire.

65: Aspect Ratio This two-digit number, known as the aspect ratio, gives the tire's ratio of peak to width in percentage. Numbers of 70 or lower indicate a smaller sidewall for improved steering response and improve overall treatment on dry pavement.

R: Radial Ply Construction The "R" stands for radial. Radial ply construction of tires has been the industry standard for the by 20 years.

15: Rim Diameter This 2-digit number is the wheel or rim diameter in inches. If you change your wheel size, you will have to buy new tires to friction match the new wheel diameter.

95H: Load Index This 2 or three-digit number is the tire's load alphabetize. It is a measurement of how much weight each tire tin back up.

Index	Load (lbs)	Index	Load (lbs)	Index	Load (lbs)
65	639	94	1477	123	3417
66	661	95	1521	124	3527
67	677	96	1565	125	3638
68	694	97	1609	126	3748
69	716	98	1653	127	3858
70	739	99	1709	128	3968
71	761	100	1764	129	4079
72	783	101	1819	130	4189
73	805	102	1874	131	4299
74	827	103	1929	132	4409
75	853	104	1984	133	4541
76	882	105	2039	134	4674
77	908	106	2094	135	4806
78	937	107	2149	136	4938
79	963	108	2205	137	5071
80	992	109	2271	138	5203
81	1019	110	2337	139	5357
82	1047	111	2403	140	5512
83	1074	112	2469	141	5677
84	1102	113	2535	142	5842
85	1135	114	2601	143	6008
86	1168	115	2679	144	6173
87	1201	116	2756	145	6393
88	1235	117	2833	146	6614
89	1279	118	2910	147	6779
90	1323	119	2998	148	6944
91	1356	120	3086	149	7165
92	1389	121	3197	150	7385
93	1433	122	3307

Note: You may not find this information on all tires considering it is non required by law.

Light truck sizes may exist shown in 2 formats:

LT 245/70R16
LT = Vehicle blazon
245 = Width in millimeters
70 = Attribute ratio
R = Radial construction
16 = Rim diameter in inches

32×11.50R16 LT
32 = Diameter in inches
11.50 = Width in inches
R = Radial construction
16 = Rim diameter in inches
LT = Light truck tire

Tire Speed Rating Chart

The rating system shown indicates the top speed for which a tire is certified. It does not signal the full performance capability of a tire.

The speed rating denotes the speed at which a tire is designed to be driven for extended periods of fourth dimension. The ratings range from 31 miles per hour (mph) to 188 mph.

Annotation: You may not e'er find this information on all tires because it is not required past law.

Rating Symbol	Speed (km/h)	Speed (mph)
B	l	31
C	threescore	37
D	65	40
E	70	43
F	80	50
Yard	90	56
J	100	62
K	110	68
50	120	75
1000	130	81
N	140	87
P	150	93
Q	160	99
R	170	106
S	180	112
T	190	118
U	200	124
H	210	130
V	240	150
W	270	169
Y	300	188
ZR	Over 240	Over 150

M+Due south = Mud and Snow

The "M+S" or "Thousand/S" indicates that the tire has some mud and snow capability. Most radial tires have these markings; hence, they accept some mud and snow capability.

U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number

This begins with the messages "DOT" and indicates that the tire meets all federal standards. The next two numbers or letters are the found code where information technology was manufactured, and the last iv numbers represent the week and year the tire was built. For example, the numbers 1301 mean the 13th week of 2001. The other numbers are marketing codes used at the manufacturer'south discretion. This data is used to contact consumers if a tire defect requires a think.

For example: DOT "UYZEDBC1301"

• UY: Plant code
• ZE: Tire size
• DBC: Compound structure code (Optional)
• 13: The week manufactured
• 01: The year manufactured

Tire Ply Construction and Materials Used

The number of plies and cords indicates the number of layers of rubber-coated cloth or steel cords in the tire. In full general, the greater the number of plies, the more weight a tire can support. Tire manufacturers besides must indicate the cords used in the tire, which include steel, nylon, polyester, and others.

Maximum Load Rating

This number indicates the maximum load in kilograms or pounds that tin be carried by the tire.

Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure

This number is the maximum amount of air pressure that should ever be put in the tire under normal driving conditions.

What is UTQG?

UTQG stands for the Uniform Tire Quality Grading system.

To assistance consumers compare a passenger car tire'southward treadwear rate, traction functioning, and temperature resistance, the federal authorities requires tire manufacturers to form tires in these 3 areas. This grading system, known every bit the Uniform Tire Quality Grading Arrangement, provides guidelines for making relative comparisons when purchasing new tires. Y'all too can employ this data to enquire about the quality of tires placed on new vehicles.

Although this rating system is very helpful when buying new tires, it is not a safety rating or a guarantee of how well a tire will perform or how long it will last. Other factors such as personal driving way, blazon of car, quality of the roads, and tire maintenance habits have a significant influence on your tire's operation and longevity.

Treadwear grades are an indication of a tire'south relative wear rate. The higher the treadwear number, the longer it should take for the tread to wear downward. For example, a tire form of 400 lasts significantly longer than a tire grade of 200

Traction grades are an indication of a tire's ability to finish on wet pavement. A higher graded tire should permit you to stop your car on wet roads in a shorter altitude than a tire with a lower grade. Traction is graded from highest to lowest equally "AA," "A," "B," and "C."

Temperature grades are an indication of a tire'south resistance to rut. Sustained high temperature (for case, driving long distances in hot weather), can cause tire failure. From highest to lowest, a tire's resistance to rut is graded as "A," "B," or "C."

Case:
A Maxxis MA-one should take a UTQG rating of 480 BB and deliver a high level of mileage expectation along with a smooth, tranquillity ride. On the other hand, a Maxxis MA-501 has a UTQG rating of 300 AA and is more in line with the expectations of a performance tire.

Tire Rubber and Care

To ensure your safety, Maxxis recommends replacing your tires with the original size or the size recommended by your automobile'south manufacturer. The "Tire Finder" locator section of this website simply recommends the original equipment sizes.

View the Tire Inspection Nautical chart for information on how to place aberrant tread wear, sidewall damage, tire separations, road hazards and bead bug.

When purchasing new tires, information technology is recommended the tires be mounted by a professional; practise not endeavour to mount them yourself. Serious injury could outcome from a tire being mounted improperly. While mounting new tires, the dealer can inspect the vehicle, rim, brakes, etc., for whatsoever potential problems also as recommend the proper aggrandizement, correct positioning, and correct tire size.

Maxxis recommends that P-Metric automotive tires never exist used as replacements for Light Truck tires or on a vehicle that is equipped with dual rear tires. Each tire is manufactured with specific speed rating and load requirements to ensure proper vehicle utilise.

Measuring the Width of a Tire

In some cases, the tire width might need to be measured. Before the measurement is taken, Maxxis recommends the tire be mounted on the rim recommended past the Tire and Rim Association (T&RA) for authentic measurement.

If the tire is mounted on a rim that is too narrow, the tire will accept a measurement that is as well narrow. This could perhaps put an increase of force on the shoulder of the tire, resulting in tire damage. If the tire is mounted on a rim that is wider than recommended by the Tire and Rim Association, the tire will have a flatter profile, moving the flex point toward the area of the rim. The resulting estrus buildup can cause a decrease in tire life or integrity.

As with whatsoever changes or variations done in regards to tires and rims, always consult with your certified Maxxis dealer first.

Aspect Ratios

College aspect ratios provide a softer ride and an increase in deflection under the load of the vehicle. However, a lower aspect ratio, normally used for college functioning vehicles, has a wider contact patch and a faster response. This results in less deflection nether a load, causing a rougher ride to the vehicle.

Changing to a tire with a different aspect ratio will consequence in a different contact patch, therefore changing the load capacity of the tire. This change in load capacity should always exist taken into consideration when changing tire sizes.

Tire Rotation

Always refer to your owner's manual for a rotation schedule and pattern specific to your vehicle. However, a good rule of thumb is to rotate your tires about every 6,000-8,000 miles in gild to avert irregular tire article of clothing.

Balancing Your Tires

When tires are unbalanced, ride quality and tire life are significantly impacted. An unbalanced tire is usually detectable by vibrations at sure speeds. Typically, the vibration is felt through the steering wheel, especially at high speeds.

Hitting curbs, potholes, or other route hazards may create an unbalance in the tire. Tires should exist inspected by a professional equally shortly as possible to avoid excessive wear and impairment to your vehicle'southward front end parts.

Alignments

Aligning your tires ensures that all of them are adjusted to travel in the same management. Improper alignment affects tire wear, gas mileage, stability, and the overall performance of your vehicle. You lot should have an alignment performed on your vehicle near in one case a yr, although hitting a curb or pothole may throw your alignment out. If this happens, you should take a tire professional inspect your alignment as soon as possible.

Reasons to doubtable your tires need to be aligned and to accept your alignment checked:

• Excessive or uneven tire wear
• Steering wheel pulls to the left or right
• Feeling of looseness or wandering
• Steering wheel vibration or shimmy
• Steering wheel is not centered when auto is moving straight ahead

Proper Tire Inflation

Proper tire aggrandizement ensures your tires will perform amend, last longer, and increase your gas mileage. Ever utilise a tire guess to check the pressure level in your tires while they are yet cold. It is skilful practice to bank check your force per unit area at least in one case a calendar month or before long trips.

Your vehicle manufacturer will specify the inflation pressure necessary for your OE tires. Check with your tire dealer if you no longer accept OE tires installed.

Cleaning Maxxis Tires

To ensure Maxxis tires look their best, the sidewalls are constructed to defend against the elements. To go on them looking their all-time, use a mild soap or detergent and a semi-soft bristle brush. To rinse, use clean, plain h2o.

Overloading Tires

IMPORTANT – Make sure you don't overload tires. To make certain you're inside safety limits, check the vehicle owner's manual to determine the amount of load put on the tires. From in that location, check the load limit of the tires that are to exist mounted. The load index of the replacement tires should always meet or exceed the maximum load of the original tires. The overloading of tires could cause poor vehicle handling, tire failure, and/or problems with vehicle components or lower fuel mileage.

Tire Mounting

IMPORTANT – Because of the nature of tire mounting, Maxxis recommends tires always be mounted by a professional. Brand sure to lucifer tire diameter to rim diameter and mount light truck radials on rims simply approved for that application.

It is our recommendation that bead sealer not be applied as this can inhibit the seating of the bead. Lubricate chaplet and tire rim contact surfaces. Lock assembly on mounting machine or place in safety muzzle. Footstep back, and never exceed the amount of necessary air pressure to seat the bead. Do not use a volatile substance, a bead expander, or "O-Ring" to assistance in seating a bead.

Mounting a tire to rims can be very unsafe due to the free energy stored in compressed air. Merely trained tire professionals using the correct tools, safety equipment, and procedures should mountain tires. Do not re-inflate a tire that has been run flat or shows any signs of damage. Incorrectly mounted or damaged tires tin can suddenly cause tire failure, resulting in injury.

Consistent Tire Sizing

Maxxis strongly urges that all tires mounted on a vehicle coincide with the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer. Also, Maxxis recommends that all tires mounted exist of the same type and size.

However, if different profiles must exist used, mount the widest tires in the rear of the vehicle. For the best treatment characteristics, practice non mix radial tires with non-radial tires. Mounting tires of different speed ratings, sizes, or construction could consequence in tire failure.

Tire Vesture

Maxxis recommends tires be removed from the vehicle when at that place is simply 2/32″ of tread depth remaining. All DOT canonical tires in production have a tread clothing indicator molded into the tread blueprint. This small-scale piece of rubber appears to be a span between two tire grooves, but is only 2/32" in height. When the pinnacle of this indicator is fifty-fifty with the plain of the tread design, the tires should exist replaced. Failure to replace tires with tread depths less than 2/32" could result in accidents due to loss of traction.

Tire Glossary

Accelerator: A chemical that is used in safety compounds.

Aligning: An allowance given to a customer to be used toward the replacement of a tire because of warranty issues.

Alignment: Inspection and the possibility of adjusting the caster camber and toe angles of the motorcar'due south pause system in accord with the manufacturer's original specifications.

Antioxidant: A chemical used in safe compounds that prevents surface oxidation, chunking, and bully.

Aspect Ratio: The measurement of a tire's sidewall pinnacle. The calculation is derived from dividing the section height by the section width of the tire.

Balance: To ensure weight is distributed evenly effectually the tire and rim, resulting in a smoother ride.

Banbury Mixer: A big machine used in the production of safety compounds for mixing all of the filler and ingredients together.

Bead: The part of the tire that secures the tire to the rim, normally constructed from a high grade steel wire and hard rubber chemical compound.

Dewdrop Seat: The section of a rim where the dewdrop of the tire rests.

Belts: These are layers of fabric or steel cords coated in a rubber compound providing the tire with its force.

Bias-Ply: A type of structure method used to build tires where the cords in the torso plies are placed diagonally from ane side of the tire to the other, normally from one dewdrop to the contrary bead.

Float: A large, rubber, inflatable container used in the tire molding and curing process of tire production.

Blem of Blemished Tire: A tire which has corrective or minor imperfection but is still considered safe to apply.

Commodities Blueprint: The pattern of holes on a rim/wheel which the bolts that mountain the wheel to the vehicle are put through.

Camber: The angle of the vertical center of the tire to a vertical line viewed from the front end of the tire.

Camber Thrust: The force created past a tire'due south camber.

Carbon Black: Filler used in the rubber compounds. Its primary office is to exist used as reinforcement filler.

Carcass: This is the body that gives the tire its shape.

Carrying Capacity: The amount of load/weight a tire tin carry at its proper inflationary pressure level established past the Tire & Rim Association.

Chafer: A safe-coated, chafe-resistant material that is used to aid in preventing a tire'southward bead from rim harm and chafing.

Compound: The mixture of ingredients such as natural condom, constructed rubber, carbon black, and chemicals, put together in dissimilar ratios to form the building block from which tires are manufactured.

Contact Patch: The area of the tire that makes direct contact with the surface of the road.

Cord: The steel or fabric strands that form plies and belts in tires.

Cord Angle: The caste of bending that the cords cantankerous the center line of a tire.

Crown: The heart section (between the tire shoulders) of the tire's tread.

Deflection: The alter in the tire's vertical and lateral dimensions when information technology is placed nether load.

Directional Stability: The trend for a tire to move in the direction it is steered to rather than following the contours of the road.

Bore: The measurement of an unloaded tire from one outer border to the opposite edge.

Dynamic Balance: This is the residue of a tire while in move.

Eccentric Mounting: A status where a tire is mounted unevenly on a rim/bicycle.

ETRTO: European Tire and Rim Technical Organisation.

Flotation Tire: A tire designed to practice minimal damage to the backyard or soil surface.

Green Tire: A tire that has not even so gone through the procedure of vulcanization or curing in the tire molding process.

Grooves: Channels in the tread pattern that permit water to catamenia out from underneath the tire for wet weather driving.

Hoop Forcefulness: The strength in the structure of the belt of a tire is resistant to centrifugal strength, giving the tire stability.

Hydroplaning: A loss of traction of a tire on a road surface caused past moisture conditions conditions.

Aggrandizement Pressure: The pressure level of air inside the tire.

Innerliner: A layer of rubber inside the tire carcass that retains the air in a tire.

Load Alphabetize: A numbering system that specifies the maximum corporeality of weight a tire tin can bear at the speed indicated by the speed rating.

Load Range: This term replaces the former ply rating organization and provides the load and inflation limits of a tire.

LT-Metric: A sizing organisation used for lite truck.

Match Mounting: A organization of mounting a tire where the high point of the tire is matched with the depression signal of a wheel. These spots are ordinarily designated by a dot or a sticker on the tire and bicycle.

Mounting Tires: The action of putting the tire on a rim. This should only be done past a professional for prophylactic reasons.

M+South, One thousand/S, Thousand&S: A designation of a tire that meets the requirements given by the RMA to exist used in mud and snow conditions.

NHTSA: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

O.E.: This refers to the original equipment of the vehicle.

Over Inflation: A tire that exceeds the maximum amount of air pressure recommended by the manufacturer.

Out of Circular: A term used to point that the tire is non completely round.

P-Metric: A tire sizing organisation where the section width is shown in millimeters and the aspect ratio, type of construction, and rim diameter are shown in inches (P215/70R15)

Plies: The layers of prophylactic-coated fabric or steel cord.

Polyester: This is a synthetic cloth that is used in the body ply or belt of a tire.

Polymer: A loftier molecular weight organic chemical compound made upward of many identical components which link to course a chain through a procedure called polymerization.

PSI: A mensurate of air pressure – pounds per square inch.

Radial: A construction method used to build tires where cords of steel are coated in rubber and are laid across the crown of the tire at an angle of ninety degrees.

Rayon: A synthetic cord material used in the construction of casings and belts of a tire.

Retread: A process in which a new tread cap is applied to a casing of a tire that has been worn downwardly.

Rim: The piece of hardware a tire is mounted on so placed on the automobile or truck.

Rim Diameter: The bore of the rim measured according to the tire bead heel.

Rim Flange: The outermost edge of a bike's rim where additional weights for balancing the tire are positioned.

Rim Width: The distance between the flanges of a wheel.

RMA: Rubber Manufacturers Association.

Runout: The measurement of the "out of roundness" of a tire that causes vibration and cannot be balanced.

Department Height: The vertical altitude measured from the edge of the dewdrop to the centre of the crown in a tire that is not under load.

Section Width: The measurement of a mounted tire from the outside of 1 sidewall to the outside of the opposite sidewall.

Series: The designation of a tire's aspect ratio.

Shoulder: The section of a tire where the tire tread is adjoined to the sidewall.

Sidewall: The section of a tire between the bead and the shoulder.

Sipes: Small, thin slots that are molded into the ribs or blocks of a tread pattern that aid in the traction of the vehicle in wet conditions weather condition.

Speed Rating: A letter of the alphabet coding organization designated by the Tire & Rim Association indicating the tire'southward immovability at a item speed.

Static Balance: A condition in which a mounted tire has even weight around the wheel's axis when the tire is non in movement.

Steel Belt: A layer of material constructed from steel cords and normally coated in rubber, placed on top of the casing used in the production of tires.

Toe: This is the difference between the forepart and the rear edges of a tire mounted on an automobile. If the forepart edges are closer together than the rear edges, the phrase toe-in is used. If the front end edges are farther autonomously than the rear edges, it is referred to as toe-out.

Tread: The department of the tire that is in contact with the road surface.

Tread Life: The length of service, measured in miles, of a tire.

Tread Pattern: This is the configuration of voids, blocks, grooves, sipes, etc. of the tread synthetic to provide some of the characteristics of a tire.

Tread Void: Areas in a tread such every bit grooves and channels permitting water to exist moved away.

Tubeless Tire: A tire that does not crave an inner tube. This type of tire structure utilizes an innerliner inside the casing, preventing air leakage.

Tread Wearable Indicators(T.Westward.I.): Small tread blocks in a tire's tread pattern (the void area) measuring 2/32″ in summit that show when a tire should exist changed.

Tread Width: The measured distance from the outer edge of a tire's tread design to the opposite border of the tread pattern.

Under Inflation: A tire that has a lower amount of air pressure than recommended by the manufacturer.

UTQG: Uniform Tire Quality Grading – A measuring system to compare a tire's performance based on test results for treadwear, temperature resistance, and traction.

Zilch Toe: A status where tires on the same axle are positioned exactly parallel to each other.

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Source: https://www.maxxis.com/us/tire-school/#:~:text=This%20begins%20with%20the%20letters,the%2013th%20week%20of%202001.

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