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Tire News & Information

SimpleTire's glossary of tire terms

Last updated 11/03/2023 - Originally published 9/23/2020

Written by SimpleTire

Here you go - a tire dictionary with everything you ever wanted to know about tire definitions, all in SimpleTire's tire glossary of tire terms. Some of it is a bit technical, and a lot of it you don't really need to know unless you're just a tire nerd like we are.

If you have any questions, one of our tire experts is just a click away.

B

Balancing: Using weights to correct mass distribution imbalance on a spinning wheel and tire assembly.
Bead: The bead of the tire clamps securely to the wheel and creates an air-tight seal.
Bias Tires: Bias ply tires were the earliest form of automotive tires with the crown and sidewall plies overlapping supporting both the tread and sidewall, resulting in a stiffer sidewall and higher puncture resistance.
Bias-Belted Tires

C

Camber Thrust
Centrifugal Thrust
Circle of Forces
Contact Patch: The portion of the tire in actual contact with the road surface.
Cornering Force

D

DOT Code: U.S. required serial number that identifies where it was manufactured, the size & manufacturer's code, along with the week and year it was manufactured. Example "DOT AF WD9E 0517" indicates the tire was made in the 5th week of 2017.

F

Force Variation

I

L

Load Rating: The tire load rating refers to the amount of weight each tire can safely carry when properly inflated.
Load Sensitivity
Lug Tread

M

Measuring Tire Pressure

P

Ply: Layers of materials (such as nylon, rayon, kevlar) that, along with the belts, give a tire it's shape and strength once inflated.
Pneumatic Trail

R

Radial: Radial ply tires (today's standard) use separated sidewall and crown plies to give improved comfort, sidewall flexibility, better handling and heat dissipation.
Rain Groove
Relaxation Length
Retread
Rims
Rolling Resistance

S

T

Tire Code
Tire Ratings
Tire Rotation: Moving tires from one axle to the other to ensure even tire wear.
Traction
Tread
Tread Void

SimpleTire's glossary of tire terms

B

C

D

F

I

L

M

P

R

S

T

V

W

Ready to find the perfect tires?

Did you find what
you were looking for?

B

C

D

F

I

L

M

P

R

S

T

V

W

Ready to find the perfect tires?

Contact SimpleTire for live support on your online tire order?

Fastest option!

+1 (267) 376 8473

Terms and conditions apply. Learn more

(888) 410 0604

info@simpletire.com

SimpleTire's glossary of tire terms

B

C

D

F

I

L

M

P

R

S

T

V

W

Ready to find the perfect tires?

Did you find what you were looking for?

B

C

D

F

I

L

M

P

R

S

T

V

W

Ready to find the perfect tires?

Contact SimpleTire for live support on your online tire order?

Fastest option!

+1 (267) 376 8473

Terms and conditions apply. Learn more

(888) 410 0604

info@simpletire.com

Did you find what
you were looking for?