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When buying tires online in the UAE, what a driver may not know is how to read tire labels, which do not include random characters and numbers but rather have very important info related to the tire’s performance, size, speed rating, and load index. No matter if you have a luxury car, an SUV, or a commercial vehicle, by familiarising yourself with tire specifications, you are better able to get the right product for your car and driving conditions.

Buying the wrong tyres may also see fuel efficiency reduced as well as grip decreased, also we experience premature wear of our tyres and in a worst-case scenario, have safety issues. But there is lots of tyre choices available on the internet today, which is why it is important to read over the sidewall markings, understand what that code means, and check out key indicators such as speed rating and load index. Do this to make a smart and safe purchase.

Breaking Down the Tyre Labels on the Sidewall

245/45 R18 100V. That which is put forth is that each detail within the set out specification refers to certain tire characteristics, for instance, width, aspect ratio, construction, rim diameter, load index, and speed rating.

The first number (for example 245) is the tire width in millimetres, the second number (for example 45) is the aspect ratio, the height of the side wall as a percentage of the width. R stands for radial construction, which is what we see in present-day tires, and the following number (for example, 18) is the rim diameter in inches.

Next, we look at the load index, which is a measure of how heavy a load the tire can carry when inflated to full pressure. In the example given, “100” equates to 800 kg per tire. The last letter “V” means the speed rating that the tire is rated to handle safely -- here it is up to 240 km/h. These sidewall marks are very important for the proper match of tires to what is recommended by your car’s manufacturer.

Why Speed Rating and Load Index Matter in the UAE

In the UAE, which has a large network of highways and where high-speed driving is the norm, the speed rating of your tire should not be ignored. A mismatch between your tire’s speed rating and your vehicle’s top speed may cause issues like excessive heat buildup, blowout, or poor handling. It is best to choose a tire that has a speed rating that is equal to or greater than your vehicle’s performance level.

Also, the load index determines that your tires will support the weight of your car, passengers and cargo. With overloading a tire beyond what its index can handle, we see accelerated wear and, in some cases, structural damage, which is very common on the hot road surfaces that are present in the UAE. It is of great importance to read and understand these tire labels for safety and wear longevity.

Matching Tyre Labels to Your Driving Needs

Not all tires are the same. We have those that do best in performance and cornering, and also those that do better in fuel efficiency or in off-road situations. That is to say that it is important to pair tires with what you will be using them for. For instance, a city driver who does a lot of stopping at red lights may go for tires that have low rolling resistance and great performance in the wet. Also, a person who does a lot of long-distance highway driving may instead look into tires that are very durable and have high speed ratings.

Online, at which you shop, you will see these labels on the product listings, which in turn help you to filter tires by size, performance for load and environmental impact. By which you also will see that the tire codes are easy to interpret, and as a result, you will not pay for what you don’t need or trade in features like grip and brake performance.

Etarat Online Helps You Decode Every Tyre Label

At Etarat Online, we have made tyre shopping easy and transparent for you. We have put up in-depth product pages that include full tyre labels with details like width, aspect ratio, load index, speed rating, and use type. Also, for that which the tires may not be immediately apparent to you, which tire goes on your vehicle, our support team is here to help you out based on your car model, your driving habits and what you prefer.

When it comes to changing out tires, upgrading to a better performance option, or going with a seasonal set, at Etarat Online, we provide you with all the info you will need from sidewall info to in-depth tyre code info before you buy.

FAQs – Understanding Tyre Labels in the UAE

Q1: What do the numbers on a tire’s label mean?

Each of the numbers on the tyre labels is a code that tells you the tyre’s width, aspect ratio, rim size, load index, and speed rating, which in turn will help you to choose the best fit for your car.

Q2: What is the importance of speed rating in tyre choice?

Speed rating is what indicates the top speed at which your tire is safe to go. For safe travel on UAE highways and for long-distance trips, it is very important to choose the right rating.

Q3: What is the proper load index for my car?

Check the car manual out or see what the present tires say. The load index should match or surpass your car’s total weight.

Q4: Do I have the option to buy tires online that include label info?

Sure, on Etarat Online we present full tyre specifications and sidewall info, which in turn helps you to make an informed choice.

Q5: Is tire size included in the tire label?

For sure. We see tire size first on the label, which includes width, aspect ratio and rim diameter.