Get Wheels and tires -> Tire characteristics Guide for Volkswagen Tiguan 4 Door Third Generation (2024-2025)

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) indicator light may indicate a system malfunction after a wheel is changed

⇒ Troubleshooting the Tire Pressure Monitoring System .

Tire characteristics

Tire labeling and tire classiﬁcations

Fig. 230 International tire labeling.

ﬁg. 230Tire labeling (example), meaning

Product name

Individual manufacturer tire designation.

The tire conforms to the legal requirements of the

Department of Transportation in the USA, which is

responsible for tire safety standards.

DOT

Tire identiﬁcation number (TIN – may only be on the inner

side of the tire) and production date:

Code for the factory that produced the

tire and speciﬁcations from the tire

JHCO CHWS

manufacturer for the tire size and tire

JHCO CHWS 2213

characteristics.

Production date: 22nd week in the year

2213

2013.

503

ﬁg. 230Tire labeling (example), meaning

Information for the end consumer about comparative values for speciﬁed base tires (standardized test procedures)

⇒ Customer information:

Relative service life expectancy for the tire, based on a US-

speciﬁc standard test. A tire with the speciﬁcation 280 will

wear 2.8 times more slowly than a standard tire with a tread

wear value of 100. The tire performance depends on the

TREADWEAR 280

usage conditions and may differ signiﬁcantly from the

standard values depending on the driving behavior,

maintenance, different road conditions, and climate

conditions.

Wet braking capability of the tire ( AA, A, B or C). The wet

braking capability is measured under controlled conditions

on certiﬁed test courses. Tires marked with C have low

traction performance. The traction value assigned to tires is

based on straight-line traction test and includes neither

acceleration and cornering, nor hydroplaning and traction

under maximum load.

TRACTION AA

Temperature stability of the tire at high speeds on the test

stand (A, B or C). Tires marked with A and B exceed the

legal requirements. The temperature rating is based on the

tires being inﬂated to the correct pressure and not

overinﬂated. Excess speed, incorrect tire pressure, and

overinﬂation either alone or in combination can cause heat

to build up and cause tire damage.

TEMPERATURE A

88 H

Load index and speed rating .

Tire running direction code .

Code on the outside of the tire .

Rotation and arrow

Or: Outside

MAX INFLATION 350 KPA

(51 psi/3.51 bar)

US limit for the maximum inﬂation pressure.

Code for tires that can be used in the winter (mud and snow

tires) ⇒ Winter tires. Studded tires are marked with an ꢀ E

after the ꢀS.

M+S or M/S or

Indicates the location of the tread wear indicator

TWI

⇒ Monitoring the tread depth.

Brand name, logo

Manufacturer.

Made in Germany

Country of manufacture.

Country-speciﬁc code for China (China Compulsory

Certiﬁcation).

Country-speciﬁc code for Brazil.

023

504

ﬁg. 230Tire labeling (example), meaning

Identiﬁcation according to international regulations with the

number of the country that issued the approval. Approved

tires in accordance with ECE regulations are marked with

an E. Tires in accordance with EU regulations are marked

with an e. The multi-digit approval number follows that.

E4 e4 0200477-b

RADIAL TUBELESS

Tubeless radial tires.

Size designation:

P

Code for passenger vehicles.

Tire width from one sidewall to the other

in mm.

195

P 195 / 65 R 15 XL

65

R

Height and width ratio in %.

Belt construction code for radial.

Rim diameter in inches.

15

XL

Reinforced tires (“Extra Load”).

MAX LOAD 615 KG (1235 LBS)

SIDEWALL 1 PLY RAYON

TREAD 4 PLIES

US load capacity for the maximum load per tire.

Speciﬁcation for the components of the tire body.

1 layer rayon.

Speciﬁcation for the components of the running surface.

In the example, there are the following 4 layers under the

running surface: 1 rayon layer, 2 steel belts, and 1 nylon

layer.

1 RAYON + 2 STEEL + 1 NYLON

The labeling is on both sides of the tire. In some cases, certain codes may only be on one side of the tire, such as the tire ID

number and the production date.

Other digits that may be present are part of the internal labeling from the tire manufacturer or country-speciﬁc labeling.

Low-proﬁle tires

Compared to other tire-rim combinations, low-proﬁle tires offer a wider tread surface and a larger rim diameter with shorter tire

sidewalls. Low-proﬁle tires improve handling performance and precision. However, they may reduce the level of comfort when

driving on roads in poor condition.

Unidirectional tires

The sidewalls on unidirectional tires are marked with arrows. The speciﬁed running direction must be followed. This ensures

the optimum running characteristics.

If a tire is mounted opposite from the speciﬁed running direction, drive more carefully because the tire is not being used the

way it was designed to be used. The tire must be replaced or mounted in the correct running direction as soon as possible.

Asymmetrical tires

Asymmetrical tires factor in the behavior of the inner and outer areas of the tread pattern. The sidewalls on asymmetrical tires

505

are marked as the inner and outer side. Maintain the correct position of the tire on the rim.

Tire load

The tire load index indicates the maximum load of an individual tires in kilograms.

Some examples:

78

425 kg (936 lbs)

462 kg (1018 lbs)

487 kg (1073 lbs)

515 kg (1135 lbs)

545 kg (1201 lbs)

560 kg (1234 lbs)

615 kg (1355 lbs)

630 kg (1388 lbs)

650 kg (1433 lbs)

690 kg (1521 lbs)

730 kg (1609 lbs)

775 kg (1708 lbs)

800 kg (1763 lbs)

825 kg (1818 lbs)

850 kg (1873 lbs)

875 kg (1929 lbs)

900 kg (1984 lbs)

81

83

85

87

88

91

92

93

95

97

99

100

101

102

103

104

Speed rating

The speed rating indicates the maximum speed that may be driven with the tire.

P

Q

R

S

T

max. 150 km/h (93 mph)

max. 160 km/h (99 mph)

max. 170 km/h (106 mph)

max. 180 km/h (112 mph)

max. 190 km/h (118 mph)

max. 200 km/h (125 mph)

max. 210 km/h (130 mph)

max. 240 km/h (149 mph)

max. 270 km/h (168 mph)

max. 300 km/h (186 mph)

U

H

V

W

Y

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above 240 km/h (149 mph), depending on manufacturer also ZR.

Z

²⁾The TIN is the tire serial number.

UTQG tire classiﬁcation

Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG): Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall between the tread

shoulder and maximum section width. Example:

Treadwear (number)

Traction AA, A, B or C

Temperature A, B or C

For example: Treadwear 200, Traction AA, Temperature A.

All passenger car tires must conform to Federal Safety Requirements in addition to these grades.

Treadwear

The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a

speciﬁed government test course.

For example, a tire graded 150 (Treadwear-value 150) would wear one-and-one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government

course as a tire graded 100.

The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart signiﬁcantly from

the norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.

Traction

The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet

pavement as measured under controlled conditions on speciﬁed government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire

marked C may have poor traction performance.

WARNING

The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include

acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.

Temperature

The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat, and its abilit

to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a speciﬁed indoor laboratory test wheel.

Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature

can lead to sudden tire failure.

The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle

Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the

minimum required by law.

WARNING

The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inﬂated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,

underinﬂation, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.

Tire load and vehicle load, determining the correct load

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Vehicles and tires have a limited load capacity. An overloaded vehicle is difﬁcult to steer and brakes less effectively.

Overloading your vehicle can also cause damage to the vehicle and tires, such as tire blowouts and sudden pressure losses.

To ensure your safety and the safety of your passengers, never exceed the maximum vehicle weight. This is speciﬁed as the

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

The GVWR includes the weight of your vehicle including all additional equipment, a full fuel tank, all ﬂuids and its maximum

load. The maximum load includes the number of people that can travel in the vehicle (number of seats) with an average

weight of 150 lbs (68 kg) per person, and also luggage. In trailer mode, the weight of the trailer and the trailer tongue weight

rating must be included in calculations.

The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) is the maximum axle load per axle. The GVWR and GAWR are listed on the safety

certiﬁcate on the B-pillar on the driver's side.

Your vehicle has either 4 (2 front, 2 rear), 5 (2 front, 3 rear), 6 (2 front, 2 center, 2 rear) or 7 (2 front, 3 center, 2 rear) seats,

depending on the type of vehicle. Each seat has a safety belt. As there is an upper limit to the GVWR, the maximum load also

has an upper limit. Traveling with a full vehicle or with passengers heavier than 150 lbs (68 kg) per person will reduce the

remaining possible load.

The tire inﬂation pressure label for your vehicle also speciﬁes the maximum weight.

Determining the correct load

The following steps will help you to determine the correct load (total weight of people and other loads in the vehicle).

Steps:

Look for the “THE COMBINED WEIGHT OF OCCUPANTS AND CARGO SHOULD NEVER EXCEED XXX KG

1.

OR XXX LBS” message on the tire inﬂation pressure label.

2.

3.

Determine the total weight of all people intending to travel in the vehicle (driver and all passengers).

Subtract the total weight of all people in the vehicle from the speciﬁed weight (XXX KG or XXX LBS).

The result of this calculation is the maximum remaining possible load.

4.

For example: If “XXX” = 1400 lbs and ﬁve people each weighing 150 lbs are in the vehicle, the remaining possible

load is 650 lbs (1400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.).

Determine the weight of any luggage you intend to transport in the vehicle. This weight must not exceed the result

of the calculation in step 4.

5.

6.

If your vehicle is pulling a trailer, the load from your trailer is transferred to your vehicle. Refer to this manual for

information about how this reduces the available charge and luggage capacity of your vehicle.

Check the sidewall of the tire to determine the load index speciﬁed for the tire.

WARNING

Exceeding the maximum vehicle weight can cause you to lose control of the vehicle and cause accidents resulting in

severe and/or fatal injuries.

Never exceed the maximum load or the maximum vehicle weight as per the GVWR.

Glossary of tire and load terminology

Accessory weight: The combined weight (in excess of those standard items which may be replaced) of automatic

transmission, electro-mechanical power steering, power brakes, power windows, power seats, radio, and heater, to the extent

508

that these items are available as factory-installed equipment (whether installed or not).

Aspect ratio: The ratio of sidewall height to tire width, expressed as a percentage. A number of 50 (0.5:1 or 50%) means that

the cross-sectional height is 50% of the tread width. A shorter sidewall can improve steering response and provide better

overall handling, for example, on dry pavement.

Bead: The part of a tire made of steel wires, wrapped or reinforced by ply cords, with the shape and structure to ensure

proper ﬁt to the wheel rim.

Bead separation: A breakdown of the bond between components in the bead.

Carcass: The tire structure, except tread and sidewall rubber which, when inﬂated, bears the load.

Chunking: The breaking away of pieces of the tread or sidewall.

Cord: The strands of material forming the plies in the tire.

Cord separation: The parting of cords from adjacent rubber compounds.

Cracking: Any parting within the tread, sidewall, or inner liner of the tire extending to cord material.

Cold tire inﬂation pressure: The tire pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer for a tire of a speciﬁed size that

has not been driven for more than a couple of miles (kilometers) at low speeds in the 3 hour period before the tire pressure is

measured or adjusted.

Curb weight: The weight of a motor vehicle with standard equipment including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant

air conditioner, and additional weight of optional equipment.

Extra load tire: A tire designed to operate at higher loads and at higher inﬂation pressures than the corresponding standard

tire.

Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR): The load-carrying capacity of a single axle system, measured where the tire contacts

the ground.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The maximum loaded weight of the vehicle.

Groove: The space between 2 adjacent tread ribs.

Load rating code: The maximum load that a tire is rated to carry for a given inﬂation pressure. You may not ﬁnd this

information on all tires because it is not required by law.

Maximum loaded vehicle weight: The total of:

Curb weight.

Accessory weight.

Vehicle capacity weight.

Production options weight.

Maximum (permissible) inﬂation pressure: The maximum cold inﬂation pressure to which a tire may be inﬂated. Also called

“maximum inﬂation pressure.”

Normal occupant weight: Means 150 lbs (68 kilograms) times the number of occupants seated in the vehicle up to the total

seating capacity of your vehicle.

Occupant distribution: The placement of passengers in a vehicle.

Outer diameter: The diameter of a new, properly inﬂated tire.

Overall width: Total width measured at the exterior sidewalls of an inﬂated tire, including the additional width of labeling,

decorations, or protective bands or ribs.

Passenger car tire: A tire intended for use on passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, and trucks, that have a

gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or less.

Ply: A layer of rubber-coated parallel cords.

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Ply separation: A parting of rubber compound between adjacent plies.

Pneumatic tire: A mechanical device made of rubber, chemicals, fabric, and steel or other materials, that, when mounted on

an automotive wheel, provides the traction and contains the gas or ﬂuid that sustains the load.

Production options weight: The combined weight of installed regular production options weighing over 5 lbs (2.3 kg) more

than the standard items they replace, and not previously considered as curb weight or accessory weight. These include, for

example, heavy-duty brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy-duty battery, and special trim.

Radial ply tires: A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to the beads are laid at substantially 90 degrees to the

centerline of the tread.

Recommended inﬂation pressure: The tire pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer for a tire of a speciﬁed size

that has not been driven for more than a couple of miles (kilometers) at low speeds in the 3 hour period before the tire pressu

is measured or adjusted.

Reinforced tire: A tire designed to operate at higher loads and at higher inﬂation pressures than the corresponding standard

tire.

Rim: The outer edge of a wheel upon which the tire beads are seated.

Rim diameter: The nominal diameter of the wheel's tire bead seating surface. If you change your wheel size, to wheels of a

different diameter, you will have to purchase new tires to match the new wheels.

Rim size: Designation means rim diameter and width.

Rim type designation: The industry or manufacturer's designation for a rim by style or code.

Rim width: The nominal distance between wheel rim ﬂanges.

Section width: The linear distance between the exteriors of the sidewalls of an inﬂated tire, excluding elevations due to

labeling decoration, or protective bands.

Sidewall: The portion of a tire between the bead and the tread.

Sidewall separation: The parting of the rubber compound from the cord material in the sidewall.

Speed rating (letter code): A standardized letter code indicating the maximum speed at which a tire is designed to be driven

for extended periods of time. The ratings range from 93 mph (150 km/h) “P” to 186 mph (300 km/h) “Y”. The speed rating lette

code, where applicable, is molded on the tire sidewall. You may not ﬁnd this information on all tires because it is not required

by law.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System: A system that detects when at least one of a vehicle's tires is underinﬂated and

illuminates a low tire-pressure warning light.

Tread: The portion of a tire that normally touches the road.

Tread rib: A tread section running circumferentially around a tire.

Tread separation: Tire failure caused by the tread pulling away from the tire carcass.

Tread wear indicators (TWI): Raised areas within the main tread grooves that show, visually, when tires are worn and near

the end of their useful life.

Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG): A tire information system developed by the U.S. National Highway Trafﬁc Safety

Administration (NHTSA) that is designed to help buyers compare tires. UTQG is not a safety rating, nor is it a guarantee that a

tire will last for a certain number of miles or perform a certain way. It gives tire buyers more information to compare with factor

such as price, brand loyalty and dealer recommendations. Under UTQG, tires are graded by the tire manufacturers in 3 areas

tread wear, traction and temperature resistance. UTQG information is molded into the tire sidewalls.

U.S. DOT Tire Identiﬁcation Number (TIN): A tire's serial number. It begins with the letters “DOT” (“Department of

Transportation”) and indicates that the tire meets all federal standards. The next 2 numbers or letters indicate the plant where

the tire was manufactured. The last 4 numbers represent the week and year of manufacture. For example, the numbers

1709 mean that the tire was produced in the 17th week of 2009. Any other numbers are marketing codes used by the tire

manufacturer. This information is used to help identify affected consumers if a tire defect requires a recall.

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Vehicle capacity weight: The total rated cargo, luggage and passenger load. Passenger load is 150 lbs (68 kilograms) times

the vehicle's total seating capacity (as listed on the label inside the driver door).

Vehicle maximum load on the tire: The load on an individual tire that is determined by taking each axle's share of the

maximum loaded vehicle weight (GAWR) and dividing by 2.

Vehicle normal load on the tire: The load on an individual tire that is determined by taking each axle's share of the curb

weight, accessory weight, and normal occupant weight (distributed according to the table below) and dividing by 2.

Wheel size designation: Wheel rim diameter and width.

Occupant loading and distribution for vehicle normal load for various designated seating capacities:

Designated seating capacity, number

of occupants

Vehicle normal load, number of

occupants

Occupant distribution in a normally

loaded vehicle

2, 3, or 4

5, 6, or 7

2

3

2 in front

2 in front, 1 in back

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