The sidewall of every tyre carries a complete specification code that tells you exactly what the tyre is, what it can carry, how fast it can safely travel and when it was made. Yet most vehicle owners — and a surprising number of tyre shop staff — cannot read it accurately.
This guide decodes every marking on a tyre sidewall, using real examples from tyres common on UAE and GCC roads.
The Basic Size Code: 225/55 R17
225 — Tyre Width in Millimetres
The first number is the tyre's section width — measured from sidewall to sidewall in millimetres when the tyre is mounted and inflated. A 225/55 R17 is 225mm wide. Common UAE passenger car widths range from 185mm (small city cars) to 275mm+ (performance SUVs and sports cars).
55 — Aspect Ratio (Profile Height)
The second number is the aspect ratio — expressed as a percentage of the tyre width. A '55' means the sidewall height is 55% of 225mm = 123.75mm. Lower aspect ratio numbers (35, 40, 45) mean lower-profile tyres with stiffer sidewalls — common on sports cars and UAE performance vehicles. Higher numbers (65, 70) indicate taller sidewalls with more cushioning — common on light trucks and older vehicle designs.
R — Radial Construction
The 'R' denotes radial construction — the standard for virtually all modern PCR, LTR and TBR tyres. Bias-ply ('B') construction still exists in some specialist applications but is rare in the UAE market.
17 — Rim Diameter in Inches
The final number is the rim diameter in inches. UAE popular sizes range from 15 inches (budget cars) to 22 inches (luxury SUVs and sports vehicles). Always match the tyre rim diameter exactly to your wheel — a tyre marked '17' will not fit a 16-inch or 18-inch wheel.
Load Index and Speed Rating: 91V
After the size code, you will find two more markings: the load index and the speed rating.
The load index is a number (typically 75–130 for PCR, 140–180 for TBR) that corresponds to the maximum load per tyre in the load index table. Index 91 = 615 kg per tyre; 94 = 670 kg; 102 = 850 kg. Four tyres at index 91 can support a maximum vehicle weight of 2,460 kg (4 × 615 kg). Never fit tyres with a lower load index than your vehicle manufacturer specifies.
The speed rating letter indicates the maximum sustained speed: H = 210 km/h, V = 240 km/h, W = 270 km/h, Y = 300 km/h. For UAE motorways where 140 km/h is the maximum legal speed, an H-rated tyre provides adequate margin, but V-rated or above is strongly recommended for regular high-speed highway driving.
DOT Code and Manufacturing Date
The DOT (Department of Transportation) code appears on the tyre sidewall as a series of letters and numbers beginning with 'DOT'. The last four digits of this code are the most important for UAE buyers: they indicate the week and year of manufacture.
For example, DOT ...3224 means the tyre was manufactured in week 32 of 2024. Always check the manufacturing date when buying tyres in the UAE — due to stock turnover variation across the market, some tyres may be 2–3 years old when you purchase them. In UAE heat, avoid buying tyres older than 24 months from manufacture date.
Extra Load (XL) and Other Markings
The marking 'XL' or 'Extra Load' (sometimes 'Reinforced') indicates the tyre has a strengthened casing capable of carrying higher loads than a standard tyre of the same size. XL tyres require higher inflation pressures to achieve their rated load capacity. They are essential for heavily loaded vehicles, including SUVs used for off-road driving and light trucks carrying commercial loads.
Other common markings: M+S or M&S (Mud and Snow — all-season capability), RFT or RunFlat (run-flat construction), OE markings (Original Equipment for specific vehicle brands) and silent groove indicators for tread wear (small triangular wear indicators in the tread grooves that become flush with the tread surface at the minimum legal depth).
TBR Tyre Size Code: 315/80 R22.5
Truck and bus tyres (TBR) follow the same basic format but with different standard sizes. The most common long-haul TBR steer size in the UAE and GCC is 315/80 R22.5: 315mm wide, 80% aspect ratio, 22.5-inch rim. Drive tyres are often the same or narrower (295/80 R22.5). Wide-base single (super-single) tyres like 385/65 R22.5 are increasingly popular for trailer axles, replacing twin rear fitment to save weight.
For Tubroo TBR tyres, our team can advise on the correct size specification for each axle position on your specific vehicle — an important step for new operators who may be unfamiliar with the steer/drive/trailer position distinctions.
Conclusion
Reading a tyre sidewall is a basic skill that every professional in the tyre industry should have — and one that gives retail buyers the confidence to check whether the tyre they are being sold actually matches their vehicle specification. Width, aspect ratio, rim diameter, load index, speed rating and DOT date: six numbers that tell the full story of a tyre.
Golden Extreme Group supplies correctly specified Falcon Tyres and Tubroo Truck Tyres to wholesale buyers across the UAE, GCC and Africa. Our sales team can confirm the right specification for your application before you order.
Tell us your vehicle or fleet type and we will confirm the right Falcon or Tubroo specification before you order.
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