18 Mar
Tips & Advice

How to read your tyre’s sidewall markings

Your tyre’s sidewall contains all the information about your tyre that you’ll need. Here’s a little guide to what all those numbers and letters mean:

A. Tyre width

The width of your tyre, in millimetres, measured from sidewall to sidewall.

B. Aspect ratio

This is the ratio of the tyre’s cross-section to its width, expressed as a percentage. An aspect ratio of 65, for example, indicates that the tyre’s height is 65% of its width.

C. Wheel diameter

The diameter (height) of the wheel in inches.

D. Load index

Your tyre’s load index relates to its maximum carrying capacity (in kg). You’ll find the load rating of your tyre on the sidewall, just to the right of the diameter.

For example, a tyre with a load index of 91 can carry 615kg of weight.

Load ratings and speed ratings should be looked at together when you buy a new tyre. Also remember to check your manufacturer’s recommendations.

E. Speed rating

The speed rating is the maximum speed for a tyre when it is correctly inflated and being used under load. The speed rating is the letter at the end of the sidewall, after the load index number. A tyre with a speed rating of V, for example, has a maximum speed of 240 km/h.

When buying new tyres, make sure you match their speed rating with the speed capabilities of your vehicle.

18 Mar
Tips & Advice

What is the Max Pressure your tyre can handle?

easy-read 1 minute

Max tyre pressure is often confused with the recommended tyre pressure for your vehicle tyres.

  • Max tyre pressure is the maximum amount of air pressure the tyre can safely withstand as specified and tested by the manufacturer.
  • Recommended tyre pressure for your vehicle can found in your owner’s manual or on the sticker inside the driver’s door jamb/or on the inside flap of the fuel filler. 

To find the maximum tyre pressure, look for markings on the tyre sidewall, usually near the bead, that indicate “MAX LOAD” and “MAX PRESS” in units like PSI (pounds per square inch) or kPa (kilopascals). However, this is the tyre’s maximum capacity, not the recommended pressure for your vehicle. 

So how does this translate to Bar? 1 Bar of pressure = 14.5 PSI, so for e.g. if your tyre has a MAX PRESS of 42 PSI, this is equivalent to 3 BAR pressure.

18 Mar
Tips & Advice

3 Simple Tyre Maintenance Tips Every Driver Should Know (Save Money and Stay Safe!)

easy-read 3 minutes

Let’s face it—tyres are one of the most overlooked parts of a car. Most of us don’t give them a second thought until we hear that dreaded thump-thump-thump or notice a flat on the side of the road.

But here’s the thing: taking care of your tyres doesn’t just save you money—it keeps you safe, too!

Been in the automotive industry for years, we see it often enough form customers who didn’t realise their tires were bald to those who ignored a slow leak until it turned into a full-blown blowout.

Trust me, a little maintenance goes a long way. Here are five simple tips to keep your tires in top shape:

1. Check Your Tyre Pressure Regularly

  • Did you know that under-inflated tyres can reduce your fuel efficiency by up to 3%? Not to mention, they wear out faster and can even lead to a blowout.
  • I always tell my customers to check their tyre pressure at least once a week, typically most of us use the petrol stations to do this, however if the petrol station has inferior air equipment, you could end up with incorrect tyre pressures (ask the bowser if the air system is good and accurate) if you not convinced pop in at our store at smarttyres.co.za and we will gladly assist.
  • Remember the Spare (if you don’t have a spare, suggest u buy a space saver kit – can save your life not to mention the hassle of being stranded) check out spacer kits: https://smarttyres.co.za/shop/spare-wheel-space-saver-kit/

2. Check and Correct your Wheel Alignment

  • A suggestion is to have the aligment checked and recalibrated every 3000-5000 kms, or when u see uneven wear on your tyres (front/rear). Often this is an alignment issue.
  • At the same time, request a visual inspection of the under-carriage parts, no better time than now for you to receive a report on the status of your vehicle under-carriage.
  • Remember to have the alignment done at a reputable outlet, ask the technician when last his aligner was calibrated and when last the system had a software update. You paying for it so don’t be shy asking!
  • Request the printout after the alignment is complete and file it for future reference (top tip: scan or snap with camera phone). Ask what warranty u have on the alignment work done (important!)

3. Rotate your Tyres

Especially front wheel drive vehicles – do this every 3000-5000km’s or when u see uneven wear. Good time to strike a deal with the tyre shop to re-balance the wheels as well!

More advice: Avoid puddles

Is a puddle a puddle or a pothole in disguise? Rather avoid puddles or proceed slowly through the puddle. 

Like, share or Subscribe