BMW 3 Series E30

since 1983-1994 release

Repair and operation of the car

1 – M&S (snow and dirt). Marking indicates that the tire has the protector intended for winter conditions;
2 – reinforced, marking is entered for the reinforced tires;
3 – requirements to loading and pressure (requirements not applicable in Great Britain);
4 – defines design type;
5 – loading index;
6 – speed symbol;
7 – marking like quality of the tire;
8 – the indicator of wear of a protector (marking is located not on all tires);
9 – the outdated form of designation of the size of the tire including a symbol of the speed (S);
10 – brands and the code of approbation like ESE;
11 – tire design details (Great Britain is not required);
12 – name of the producer and trademark;
13 – commercial name;
14 – designation of the size of the tire. The ESE new form which the index of loading and a symbol of speed follows;
15 – the word "tubeless" if it is applicable;
16 – manufacturing country;
17 – symbol of acceptance by North American department of transport;
18 – North American identifier of the tire;
19 – designates a design of the tire (radial).

Now tires mark according to the standards coordinated with the European organization for tires and rims (ETRTO). Conditions and requirements of today determined by the legislation confer responsibility for accurate definition of opportunities of the concrete tire on producers. Marking which determines the maximum opportunities of the tire by the speed and loading capacity, characteristic of certain service conditions is for this purpose entered.

The numerical code identifies ability of the tire on loading capacity at a speed which is defined by a symbol of speed and under conditions which are defined by the producer of the tire. This code is called a loading index (L.I.).

The symbol of speed determines the speed with which the tire can bear the loading corresponding to its index of loading under conditions which are defined by the producer of tires.

The operational characteristic of the tire includes a loading index (or two indexes of loading in case of unary/dual installation) and a speed symbol.

Automobile tires

On the automobile tire marking, as a rule, includes one symbol of speed and one numerical index of loading, for example, of 185/65 R 14 86 H MXV2.

185 – Nominal width of section in mm.

65 – Tire section indicator.

R – Radial design.

14 – Nominal diameter of a wheel in inches.

86 – A loading index (loading capacity makes 530 kg).

H – A speed index (i.e. speed is up to 210 km/h, about 130 miles/hour).

MXV2 – Drawing of a protector.

The reinforced tires

As well as at automobile, are available for these tires given according to characteristics of operation, an index of loading and a symbol of speed. However the characteristic of operation includes higher index of loading and lower symbol of speed in comparison with standard car tires of the equivalent sizes. For example, 185 R 14 Reinforced (reinforced) 94 R: 185 R 14 90 T.

High-quality tires with W speed symbol

W – it is a new symbol of speed which was entered by the Resolution 30 ECE for the tires operated at speeds as to, and over 240 km/h up to the maximum speed in 270 km/h.

As well as in a case with a symbol of speed V, the index of a ngruzka of these tires is established for lower speed; there is a certain decrease in loading capacity expressed as a percentage by each 10 km/h of increase in speed which in case of application of a symbol W makes 5%.

The full table of symbols of speed with the enclosed percentage reduction of a gruzopodjmnost is given below where in that there is a need.

It is necessary to pay attention that tires with a symbol of speed W can have as well ZR marking. As a result the size can be determined thus 225/50 ZR 16 83W or 225/50 R 16 83W.

If the sign ZR is placed by the tire within marking of the size and there are no other symbols of speed any more, then this tire is intended for the speeds exceeding 240 km/h.

Older tires with the sign VR in marking of the size intended for speeds to and the exceeding 210 km/h.

Note: Tires which dimensional marking only the signs VR or ZR enter are excluded from the Resolution 30 ECE.

Tires of vans and easy trucks

There is a big group of vehicles which from the point of view of tires can be divided into three big groups:

1. Easy vans and pickups which represent direct development of the car.

2. Average vans and easy trucks which as those were also designed, but very often use the main components of cars.

3. The big vans and small trucks using the chassis of the traditional vehicle.

All cars, except for the lightest vehicles from group 2 and 3, use tires "C" for vans or (group 3) 17,5 inch truck tires.

Except for these rather big vehicles, all other vehicles from this category use the standard or reinforced car tires, and most of them belongs to 13 and 14 inch.

Other tires for vans and utility trucks

Here various types of tires which in the past marked only the indication of number of layers belong. For example, 185 R 14, 185 R 14 PR6 and 185 R 14 PR8.

Modern tires of this category mark with the indication of operational characteristics, and is frequent also with the indication of a class of layers. (It is expected that the marking concerning a class of layers will be gradually removed).

In those cases, however, when the tire can use on a back axis in dual option, apply two indexes of loading.

For example: 205 R 14 109/107 N

109 – A loading index when the tire is used in single option (1030 kg on the tire)

107 – A loading index when the tire is used in dual option (975 kg on the tire)