Sidewall markings

They tell us the width of the tire and its profile. In this case, the car accepts a tire that is 205 millimetres wide. The tire profile refers to the ratio between the height and width of the tire. In this case, the height of the tire is 55 per cent of its sectional width.

In this option, the tire is 20 millimetres wider than in the first example, and it has a substantially lower profile.

A wider, lower-profile tire has a better steering feel than a narrower, higher-profile tire. This means that the tire will be more sensitive to the driver's steering movements. A tire like this is suited for a driver who values quick steering response and a sporty feel.

On the other hand, a wide tire will be more sensitive to the grooves in the road, and so a driver looking for more comfort may be tempted to select a narrower, higher-profile tire.A narrower tire is also safer on wet roads, as it will displace water better than a wider tire.

It indicates the tire structure. R refers to a radial tire, which is much more stable and precise than its predecessor, the bias-ply tire.

All passenger car tires sold in Finland today are radial tires, so the driver does not really need to pay much attention to this marking.

It is important to follow the car manufacturer's instructions. For example, sportier cars will often require rim sizes of 17–19 inches, as smaller sizes will not be able to accommodate the brake systems.

Especially when fitting aftermarket rims and tires, you should pay attention to choosing the correct tire width for your rims. Large rims require low-profile tires, whereas smaller rims are suited for higher-profile tires. In other words, if a car requires rims of a size above 16 inches, the driver can no longer choose a higher-profile tire, even if they value driving comfort over a precise driving feel.

The last figure is the load index. In our example, the load index is 94, which means that one tire can carry a load of 670 kg. For load index 91, the load per tire is 615 kg. You should choose the correct load index for your car since, otherwise, the tires will wear out quicker than usual and they may become damaged while driving.

V means that the tire cannot be driven above 240 kilometres per hour. While it is true that these speeds are illegal in Finland, an EU directive states that the tire's speed rating must match the vehicle's top speed. This makes the tires safe for when you go on holiday in Germany, for example.

You should also follow the car manufacturer's recommendation when choosing the speed rating because a lower rating may have an adverse effect on the car's handling characteristics, such as steering. A higher speed rating, on the other hand, will reduce driving comfort.

XL means that the car is suitable for an Extra Load index tire. In our example, the load index is 94. If the index were 91, the XL marking would not be required.

Most tire models offer an Extra Load model and a normal load model. An Extra Load model can carry a heavier load, which means that even if you pack more for your summer holiday, you do not need to worry about breaking your tire due to excess load or wearing it out quicker than normal. The sturdier structure of an Extra Load tire means lower heat generation, which makes it more tolerant of wear.

The recommendation is to use the same tires for a maximum of six years. Even if you do not use your car frequently in the summer, and your tires appear to be in good shape, you should nevertheless replace them at the latest when ten years have passed since their date of manufacture. Over the years, the rubber compound will harden and the tires will lose grip, even if the tires do not wear out otherwise.