| General function of tyres for all types of vehicles |
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1. Weight-bearing
Air pressure and tyre construction are important factors to carry and sustain the weight of vehicles. |
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2. Absorb shocks
Air pressure and tyre construction reduces initial road vibrations and shocks before being muted again by the suspension . |
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3. Delivering power from the engine
Tyres serve to deliver power from the engine to move the vehicle and also provides traction and braking performance . |
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4. Translating steering wheel movement
Tyres are very important in controlling the direction of the vehicle, which will determine the maneuvering capability and stability in driving. |
| Understand tyre size |
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Tyres have its 'language' to communicate in the form of a series of numbers and letters indicating data specification, brand and type. It is universal and has been agreed by all tyre manufacturers worldwide.
Here are the meanings of these codes:
1.Tyre width (in mm)
2. A tyre's aspect ratio is the dimensional relationship of the tyre's section height to section width, expressed as a percentage.
3. Diameter of wheel (in inches)
4. Load Index
5. Speed Index |
| Understand Load Index and Speed Rating |
The Speed index is an assigned letter ranging from J to Z that corresponds to the reference maximum speed at the associated load index. Refer to the load index and speed rating tables below.
These two elements put together are called the service description and are mutually dependent. The table below gives the load index and the speed symbol with their corresponding value.
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| Load Index (Symbol and maximum load in Lbs & Kg) |
| LI |
Lbs |
Kgs |
LI |
Lbs |
Kgs |
LI |
Lbs |
Kg |
LI |
Lbs |
Kg |
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80 |
761
783
805
827
853
882
908
937
963
992 |
345
355
365
375
387
400
412
425
437
450 |
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90 |
1019
1047
1074
1102
1135
1168
1201
1235
1279
1323 |
462
475
487
500
515
530
545
560
580
600 |
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100 |
1356
1389
1433
1477
1521
1565
1609
1653
1709
1764 |
615
630
650
670
690
710
730
750
775
800 |
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110 |
1819
1874
1929
1984
2039
2094
2149
2205
2271
2337 |
825
850
875
900
925
950
975
1000
1030
1060 |
| Speed Rating (symbol and maximum speed in MpH & KmH) |
| |
J |
K |
L |
M |
N |
P |
Q |
R |
S |
T |
H |
V |
W |
Y |
| MpH |
62
|
68
|
75
|
81
|
87
|
93
|
100
|
106
|
113
|
118
|
130
|
150
|
168
|
188
|
| KmH |
100
|
110
|
120
|
130
|
140
|
150
|
160
|
170
|
180
|
190
|
210
|
240
|
270
|
300
|
|
Note: A "ZR"may appear for tyres having a maximum speed capability above 240km/h (150 mph)
| Guide on when to replace your tyres |
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Every tyre has a Tread Wear Indicator (TWI), which form a triangle  located on the sidewall. TWI is an indicator of tyre wear and is also a benchmark to you to check if your tyre is worn out. tyres should be changed immediately when the tyre tread has surpassed the indicators.
Worn out tyres compromises handling and braking distance tremendously. |
|
Do keep a lookout for physical signs stated below, even if the tyres have not worn out yet |
Consult your nearest tyre dealer if there are any signs of physical damage or deformity of your tyres.
| Tyre tread patterns |
There any many brands and patterns of tyres available today. So how do you know that you are choosing the tyres suitable for your driving needs?
Generally, tyre patterns can be differentiated into 3 categories. The Directional pattern, also known as Unidirectional, the Non-Directional pattern, also known as symmetric, and the Asymmetric pattern.
All three categories of tyre patterns have different characteristics to provide for different needs of drivers.
|
Directional/
Unidirectional
 |
Directional pattern tyres have lateral grooves on both side of the tyre which points in the same direction. It is usually in a "V-shaped" pattern.
Features:
• Increase water dispersion to provide good handling in both wet and dry road conditions
• Better steering and braking capabilities
• Usually available in bigger sizes (15” and above) and high speed index
Suitable for:
Drivers who want to have high speed performance level of the tyre.
|
|
Non-directional/
Symmetric
 |
Non-directional pattern tyres have tread pattern that usually has a continuous rib design or blocks which has the same features on both inside and outside tread face of the tyre. It is normally in a "wave-like" pattern,
Features:
• Comfort, low noise design oriented tyres
• Lateral grooves to provide water dispersion
Suitable for:
Drivers who want to have a comfortable and quiet drive.
|
|
Asymmetric  |
Asymmetric pattern tyres have unique patterns differing on both sides of the tyre tread. The outer tread area of the tyre usually has larger grooves to disperse water to increase wet handling, while the inside tread area usually has smaller grooves to increase contact area with the road.
Features:
• Good handling capabilities on wet and dry roads
• Good high speed cornering capabilities
Suitable for:
Drivers who want tyres with high performance capabilities.
| Few tips to maximize your tyre performance and durability |
• Check your tyres air pressure at least once a month. Adjust the air pressure according to the manufacturer's instruction manual
• Tyre balancing and wheel alignment will increase tyre mileage and maintains the performance of the tyres
• Use only tyre cleaners and water to clean your tyres |
| Air pressure |
 |
The tyre's air pressure standard for each vehicle is set by the vehicle manufacturer and can be found in various areas of your vehicle, such as at the end of the driver's door, at the bottom of the door or in part in the storage box at the door of the vehicle.
Low air pressure can cause damage to the sidewall, thus decreasing the load carrying capacity, and also consume more fuel. Hence the tyre pressure should be checked regularly, at least once every month.
|
Note:
Allow the tyres to cool down after driving before checking the air pressure in order to obtain a more accurate reading. |
|
Improper air pressure leads to irregular wear of the tyres.
Wear and tear in the middle of the tyre is caused by excessive air pressure. On the other hand, low air pressure results in uneven wear on both sides of the tyre shoulder. |
|
Correct air pressure
results in regular wear and tear of the tyre, thus providing a longer tyre life |
|
Low air pressure
results in wear and tear on both sides of the tyre shoulder, creating uneven wear of the tyre |
|
Excessive air pressure
results in wear and tear on the middle of the tyre, which results in uneven wear of the tyre |
|
| Rotate your tyre regularly to improve tyre life |
Regular tyre rotation helps to prolong the tyre's life and maintains optimum performance and mileage of the tyres. tyres not rotated on regular basis will result in uneven wear and will also compromise the performance of the tyres over time.
|
|
Rotation is required when the tyre mileage reaches
between 8000-10,000 km. |
There are 2 different ways of tyre rotation, the 4-tyre rotation and 5-tyre rotation. |
Diagonal Horizontal
Vertical |
4-tyre rotation
Can be done by diagonal, horizontal or vertical rotation
For diagonal rotation;
it is done by swapping the front left tyre to right rear and front right tyre with the rear left.
For horizontal rotation,
it is done by exchanging the front right wheel with the left front wheel. Likewise for the rear wheels, rear right tyre will be exchanged with the left rear tyre. This method is normally used for non-directional tyres.
For vertical rotation,
it is done by swapping the front right tyre with the back right tyre, and the front left tyre with the back left tyre. This method is normally used for directional tread pattern tyres. |
|
 |
5-tyres rotation (with spare tyre)
5 tyre rotation relatively similar to the 4 tyre diagonal, except that the spare tyre will also be rotated. The spare tyre is to be mounted on the left rear, left rear tyre moved to the front left. The left front tyre will be moved to right back and right back to be moved to the front right. Lastly, the right front tyre will be used as the spare tyre. This method of rotation is normally used for 4-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles.
Note: Do not use the 5-tyre rotation method if the spare tyre is of a different brand/model to the rest of the tyres. |
|
|
|
| Guide on when to replace your tyres |
|
Every tyre has a Tread Wear Indicator (TWI), which form a triangle located on the sidewall. TWI is an indicator of tyre wear and is also a benchmark to you to check if your tyre is worn out. tyres should be changed immediately when the tyre tread has surpassed the indicators.
Worn out tyres compromises handling and braking distance tremendously.
|
|
Do keep a lookout for physical signs stated below, even if the tyres have not worn out yet |
| Consult your nearest tyre dealer if there are any signs of physical damage or deformity of your tyres. |
| Tyre tread patterns |
There any many brands and patterns of tyres available today. So how do you know that you are choosing the tyres suitable for your driving needs?
Generally, tyre patterns can be differentiated into 3 categories. The Directional pattern, also known as Unidirectional, the Non-Directional pattern, also known as symmetric, and the Asymmetric pattern.
All three categories of tyre patterns have different characteristics to provide for different needs of drivers.
|
Directional/
Unidirectional
|
Directional pattern tyres have lateral grooves on both side of the tyre which points in the same direction. It is usually in a "V-shaped" pattern.
Features:
• Increase water dispersion to provide good handling in both wet and dry road conditions
• Better steering and braking capabilities
• Usually available in bigger sizes (15” and above) and high speed index
Suitable for:
Drivers who want to have high speed performance level of the tyre.
|
|
Non-directional/
Symmetric
|
Non-directional pattern tyres have tread pattern that usually has a continuous rib design or blocks which has the same features on both inside and outside tread face of the tyre. It is normally in a "wave-like" pattern,
Features:
• Comfort, low noise design oriented tyres
• Lateral grooves to provide water dispersion
Suitable for:
Drivers who want to have a comfortable and quiet drive.
|
|
| Asymmetric |
Asymmetric pattern tyres have unique patterns differing on both sides of the tyre tread. The outer tread area of the tyre usually has larger grooves to disperse water to increase wet handling, while the inside tread area usually has smaller grooves to increase contact area with the road.
Features:
• Good handling capabilities on wet and dry roads
• Good high speed cornering capabilities
Suitable for:
Drivers who want tyres with high performance capabilities.
|
| Few tips to maximize your tyre performance and durability |
• Check your tyres air pressure at least once a month. Adjust the air pressure according to the manufacturer's instruction manual
• Tyre balancing and wheel alignment will increase tyre mileage and maintains the performance of the tyres
• Use only tyre cleaners and water to clean your tyres |
| Air pressure |
|
The tyre's air pressure standard for each vehicle is set by the vehicle manufacturer and can be found in various areas of your vehicle, such as at the end of the driver's door, at the bottom of the door or in part in the storage box at the door of the vehicle.
Low air pressure can cause damage to the sidewall, thus decreasing the load carrying capacity, and also consume more fuel. Hence the tyre pressure should be checked regularly, at least once every month.
|
Note:
Allow the tyres to cool down after driving before checking the air pressure in order to obtain a more accurate reading. |
|
Improper air pressure leads to irregular wear of the tyres.
Wear and tear in the middle of the tyre is caused by excessive air pressure. On the other hand, low air pressure results in uneven wear on both sides of the tyre shoulder. |
|
Correct air pressure
results in regular wear and tear of the tyre, thus providing a longer tyre life |
|
Low air pressure
results in wear and tear on both sides of the tyre shoulder, creating uneven wear of the tyre |
|
Excessive air pressure
results in wear and tear on the middle of the tyre, which results in uneven wear of the tyre |
|
| Rotate your tyre regularly to improve tyre life |
Regular tyre rotation helps to prolong the tyre's life and maintains optimum performance and mileage of the tyres. tyres not rotated on regular basis will result in uneven wear and will also compromise the performance of the tyres over time.
|
|
Rotation is required when the tyre mileage reaches
between 8000-10,000 km. |
There are 2 different ways of tyre rotation, the 4-tyre rotation and 5-tyre rotation. |
Diagonal Horizontal
Vertical |
4-tyre rotation
Can be done by diagonal, horizontal or vertical rotation
For diagonal rotation;
it is done by swapping the front left tyre to right rear and front right tyre with the rear left.
For horizontal rotation,
it is done by exchanging the front right wheel with the left front wheel. Likewise for the rear wheels, rear right tyre will be exchanged with the left rear tyre. This method is normally used for non-directional tyres.
For vertical rotation,
it is done by swapping the front right tyre with the back right tyre, and the front left tyre with the back left tyre. This method is normally used for directional tread pattern tyres. |
|
|
5-tyres rotation (with spare tyre)
5 tyre rotation relatively similar to the 4 tyre diagonal, except that the spare tyre will also be rotated. The spare tyre is to be mounted on the left rear, left rear tyre moved to the front left. The left front tyre will be moved to right back and right back to be moved to the front right. Lastly, the right front tyre will be used as the spare tyre. This method of rotation is normally used for 4-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles.
Note: Do not use the 5-tyre rotation method if the spare tyre is of a different brand/model to the rest of the tyres. |
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