How to read your tyre’s sidewall markings

You can find tyre markings on the sidewall of your tyre. These sidewall markings help you understand everything you need to know about your tyre including its size, load capacity and speed rating.

The information on your tyre is particularly important when it comes to replacing them, allowing you to easily find the right ones for your car. You can search the Dunlop website for tyres using information from the sidewall markings on your tyre.

But how do you read the sidewall markings? Here’s a little guide to what all those numbers and letters mean:

Find the load and speed capacity using the markings on your tyres: 

Higher load indexes and different speed ratings

It may be possible to fit tyres with higher load indexes and different speed ratings to those indicated in your vehicle’s manufacturer documentation. 

However, always check first in your vehicle’s manufacturer documentation if these tyres may be mounted on your vehicle and if using these tyres is permitted under your local laws and regulations. You should also comply with all applicable requirements of your local laws and regulations and not exceed the specifications of these tyres as well as those indicated in your vehicle’s manufacturer documentation in terms of speed and load. Your dealer may help you verifying this before purchasing or fitting tyres.

Does the speed rating on a tyre matter?

Yes, a tyre’s speed rating indicates the maximum speed you will safely be able to drive with those tyres in ideal conditions.

Is it possible to fit tyres with a higher speed rating than my manufacturer recommends?

Yes, this may be possible. However, always check first in your vehicle’s manufacturer documentation if these tyres may be fitted on your vehicle.

Is it possible to fit tyres with a higher speed rating and a higher load index than my manufacturer recommends?

Yes, this may be possible. However, always check first in your vehicle’s manufacturer documentation if these tyres may be fitted on your vehicle.

Is it possible to fit tyres with a lower speed rating than my manufacturer recommends?

You can use all-season or winter tyres (marked with M+S on the tyre sidewall) that have a lower speed rating so long as you meet certain conditions:

·       A sticker that shows the maximum speed limit is in the driver’s field of vision

·       You don’t drive the vehicle faster than the maximum speed limit

However, always check first in your vehicle’s manufacturer documentation if these tyres may be fitted on your vehicle.

Can you have different speed ratings on tyres?

Mixing tyres with different ratings isn’t something we’d recommend. See our guide on replacing tyres for more details on mixing tyres.

Is it possible to fit tyres with a higher load index and a lower speed rating than my manufacturer recommends?

Yes, you can fit tyres that have a higher load index and a lower speed rating.

You can use all-season or winter (M+S) tyres that have a lower speed rating so long as: a) a sticker that shows the maximum speed limit is in the driver’s field of vision and b) you don’t drive the vehicle faster than the maximum speed limit.

However, always check first in your vehicle’s manufacturer documentation if these tyres may be fitted on your vehicle.