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Tyre Markings Explained

Understand what the markings on your tyres really mean — from size and load to speed ratings and special symbols.

Every tyre sidewall carries a wealth of information — letters, numbers, and symbols that tell you everything about the tyre’s construction, capability, and certification. Learning to read these tyre markings helps you choose the right replacement, maintain performance, and ensure safety in every driving condition.

🔍 What Do Tyre Markings Mean?

If you look closely at your tyre’s sidewall, you’ll see alphanumeric codes, symbols, and logos. Each of these markings carries essential information about tyre size, performance ratings, manufacturer details, and usage specifications.

📏 How to Read a Tyre Size

A tyre’s dimension is shown by a sequence of numbers and letters — for example:
205 / 55 R17 91V

Each part has a specific meaning:

Additional Letters You Might See:

• P – Passenger car

• LT – Light truck

• C – Commercial van tyre

• XL / HL / Reinforced – Higher load capacity than standard

• T – Temporary spare wheel

When replacing your tyres, always match the same letter type and size to ensure compatibility and safety.

⚙️ Understanding Width, Aspect Ratio, and Construction

Example: 205 / 55 R17

• 205 mm – The width of the tyre from sidewall to sidewall.

• 55% – The ratio between the tyre’s sidewall height and width.

• R – Radial construction, a Michelin innovation combining rubber with metal and textile reinforcements. This design provides durability, comfort, and fuel efficiency by reducing rolling resistance.

• 17 inches – The wheel’s diameter, determining rim compatibility.

⚡ Load and Speed Ratings

Example: 91V

• 91 – Load index. This corresponds to the maximum load a single tyre can safely carry (in kilograms).

• V – Speed rating. This indicates the maximum speed the tyre can sustain under its rated load.

Refer to the load and speed index tables for the specific values that correspond to your tyre markings. Matching these correctly is crucial for safety and performance.

🏷️ Brand, Range, and Tyre Type

Every tyre displays the manufacturer name, range, and type clearly on the sidewall.

Example:
MICHELIN Pilot Sport ⁴ˢ

• MICHELIN — the brand

• Pilot Sport ⁴ˢ — the tyre range

This ensures you know exactly what product you are fitting.

Tyre Type Indicators

• Tubeless – No inner tube required (lighter, more efficient, and more reliable).

• Tube Type – Requires a compatible inner tube.

Tip: If your wheel is designed for tubeless assembly, always use tubeless tyres for best results.

🧭 Tyre Pressure and Maximum Load Markings

You may notice inscriptions like MAX LOAD or MAX PRESS on the tyre.
These indicate the maximum capacity and pressure the tyre can handle — but they are not the pressures you should inflate to.

Always follow your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressures, found in:

• The owner’s manual,

• The driver’s door sticker, or

• The fuel filler cap label.

Learn more in our guide on How to Check Tyre Pressure.

🕓 Tyre Date Code (DOT Marking)

On the sidewall, you’ll also find a code beginning with DOT, followed by several characters:
Example: DOT ABE9 XYZ 4714

• DOT – Department of Transportation certification.

• Factory code, size code, optional code – Production details.

• 4714 – The tyre’s date of manufacture.

  • 47 = Week of production

  • 14 = Year of production (2014)

Note: The DOT marking appears on only one side of the tyre. Depending on fitment direction, it might not be visible on the outer side.

⚖️ Tyre Wear Indicators

When is it time to change your tyres? The answer lies in the wear indicators — small 1.6 mm-high ridges located between the tread grooves.

On Michelin tyres, these are easy to find thanks to the Michelin Man (Bibendum) icon on the sidewall, marking their position.

When the tread is worn down to the level of these indicators, the tyre has reached its legal minimum depth and must be replaced.

❄️ Snowy Mountain and M+S Markings

1. 3PMSF (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake)

A symbol showing a mountain with three peaks and a snowflake.
This marking certifies that the tyre meets official winter performance standards after objective testing.

It’s often mandatory in certain regions or mountain passes — for example, near ski resorts during winter.

2. M+S (Mud & Snow)

Indicates a tyre designed for use on soft or slippery surfaces.
However, M+S is a manufacturer’s declaration and is not tested under regulation.

Only tyres marked with 3PMSF guarantee tested and certified winter performance.

⚠️ For winter-certified tyres, the speed rating may be lower than that of summer tyres. Some countries require a sticker inside the vehicle showing this reduced speed limit.

🏭 OE Markings (Original Equipment)

Many vehicle manufacturers work directly with tyre brands like Michelin to develop custom tyres tuned for specific models. These are known as OE (Original Equipment) tyres.

An OE marking on the tyre sidewall indicates that the tyre was tested and approved by the vehicle manufacturer. These tyres are optimised for:

• Vehicle handling

• Comfort and noise levels

• Rolling resistance

• Compatibility with advanced transmission or software systems

Michelin recommends replacing OE tyres with the same OE-marked version to maintain your vehicle’s intended performance.

Examples of OE Markings by Brand

(See full table on michelin.com for complete brand list.)

✅ Key Takeaways

🟩 Drive Confidently with the Right Tyres

Every marking on your tyre tells a story — about safety, technology, and trust.
By understanding what they mean, you can choose the right Michelin tyres, maintain performance, and ensure safe, efficient driving year-round.