Understanding Tire Code and Its Meaning

JAKARTA, JANUARY 2025, Not just an accessory. The code on the tire has meaning and is important to understand its purpose. Moreover, the role of this device is one of the determinants of vehicle stability, comfort, and driver safety.

So that Daihatsu friends can better understand and be careful in determining or choosing vehicle tires. The goal is for the chosen tires to match the vehicle's specifications and intended use.

All tires have a series of special codes that inform tire specifications. These codes include size or dimensions, production year, pressure size (PSI/pounds per Square Inch), maximum speed rotation, load pressure size, and maximum temperature while rotating.

In this case, there are three important elements that must be understood regarding tires:

1. Tire Size

Daihatsu friends can observe, on the outer side of the Daihatsu Sigra 1.2 R M/T tire. The specifications show the code 175/65R14 88H. The translation is, 175 indicates the width of the tire tread in millimeters, so it is not the diameter of the tire. The larger the number, the wider the tread.

While 65 indicates the height of the tire as a percentage of the tread width. Simply put, the height in question can be observed from the edge of the rim to where the tire tread touches the asphalt surface. So the smaller the number (for example 50), the closer the tread is to the rim edge.

Then the code R indicates that this tire is of radial construction and 14 is the diameter of the corresponding rim. This means that the rim used is 14 inches in size. And the number 88 represents the maximum load that each tire can support. This number has a load index of 690 kg. The larger the number, the greater the maximum load it can support. Conversely, the smaller the number, the lower the maximum load.

The code H symbolizes the maximum speed limit that this tire can achieve. The H code on the tire can reach a maximum speed of up to 210 km/h.

2. Tire Production

Each tire factory has different coding and digit counts. You can find this on the tire's edge (near the rim), for example, 1624, which means produced in the 16th week of the year 2024.

3. Tread Wear Indicator (TWI)

This mark is a physical characteristic located exactly on both sides of the tire tread. It is reinforced by a thick line that stretches between the two marks indicating the condition of tire usage. If the tread thickness, especially in the grooves, has touched this line, it indicates that it should be replaced. The danger during rain is that it can quickly cause aquaplaning symptoms (floating).

Speed Code

Code Max Speed (km/h)

P 150

Q 160

R 170

S 180

T 190

H 210

V 240

W 270

Y >300

Load Capacity

Code Maximum Load (kg)

62 265

63 272

64 280

66 300

68 315

70 335

73 365

75 387

80 – 89 450 – 580