A

Air Pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing outward on each square inch of tire, which is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or kiloPascals (kPa), the metric designation for air pressure.

Alignment
When all wheels on the vehicle are adjusted so that they are pointed in the optimum direction relative to the road and each other.

All-season tires
Tires that provide a good balance of traction in moderate rain or light to moderate snow with good tread life and a comfortable, quiet ride.

Aspect Ratio
The relationship of a tire’s sidewall height to its section width.

Asymmetrical Tread Design (AD)
Different tread patterns featured on either side of the tread that enhance and optimize performance for both wet and dry handling. The inside shoulder has more grooves for water evacuation and massive tread blocks on the outside shoulder make for maximum handling.

B

Balance/Imbalance
The state in which a tire and wheel spin with all their weight distributed equally. To correct an imbalance, a trained mechanic will add weights on the interior or exterior of the wheel.

Bead
The section of the tire that sits on the wheel. Inside, there is a round hoop of steel wires, wrapped or reinforced by body ply cords, that clamps the tire firmly against the wheel rim.

Belt
A rubber-coated layer of cords that is located between the body plies and the tread. Cords are most commonly made from steel but may also be made from fiberglass, rayon, nylon, polyester or other fabrics.

Bias-Ply
A type of tire with crossed layers of ply cord running diagonally to the center line of the tread.

Bolt Circle ( PCD)
The diameter of an imaginary circle drawn through the center of each lug nut hole and then measured from two holes that are directly across from each other. The measurement is used in selecting the proper wheel for replacement.

Braking Torque
A technique practiced by drag racers and road testers to improve their off-the-line acceleration; applying the brake and throttle at the same time, increasing the engine rpm until release of the brake.

Butyl Rubber
Synthetic rubber used to create today’s tires. It is virtually impenetrable to water and air.

C

Carbon Black
This is a reinforcing filler which, when incorporated into the tire rubber compound, gives it a high resistance to wear.

Carrying Capacity
At a given air pressure, how much weight each tire is designed to carry. For each tire size, there is a load inflation table to ensure the inflation pressure used is sufficient for the vehicle axle load.

Casing
The supporting structure of the tire consisting of plies anchored to the bead on one side and running in a radius to the other side and anchoring to the bead. Also called casing.

Casing Ply
Made up of thin textile fiber cables bonded into the rubber. These cables are largely responsible for determining the strength of the tire.

Centerline
An imaginary line down the center of the vehicle. Alignment tracking is measured from this line.

Cold Inflation Pressure
The amount of air pressure in a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi) before a tire has built up heat from driving.

Cord
The strands of fabric forming the plies or layers of the tire. Cords may be made from polyester, rayon, nylon, fiberglass or steel.

D

Deflection
The tread and sidewall flexing where the tread comes into contact with the road due to the load on the tire.

Directional Stability
The ability of a vehicle to be driven safely and with confidence in a straight line and at high speed without being affected by pavement irregularities, crosswinds, aerodynamic lifting forces, or other external influences.

DOT
A molded marking into the sidewall of a tire signifying that the tire complies with U.S. Department of Transportation motor vehicle safety standards.

Duals
Tires placed side by side on an axle to increase both carrying capacity and traction capability; four tire across an axle, usually on a pickup truck.

Dynamic Balance
Exists when the weight is equally distributed both around its circumference and on either side of its centerline. A tire and wheels assembly that is out of dynamic balance will produce a wobble effect or a shaking from side to side.

E

Eccentric Mounting
Mounting of a tire wheel assembly in such a way that the center of rotation for the assembly is not aligned with the center of rotation for the vehicle’s hub.

ECE Symbol
The Economic Commission of Europe develops motor vehicle requirements. ECE-approved tires must meet standards for physical dimensions, branding requirements and high-speed endurance regulations.

Extra Load
Tires that are rated to carry a higher load by virtue of having a maximum inflation pressure higher than the standard maximum.

G

Groove
The space between two adjacent tread ribs; also called tread grooves.

H

High-performance tires
Also called maximum performance, ultra-high-performance, etc., offer a superior degree of handling, grip, and cornering ability than standard tires. High-performance tires are also rated for operation at higher speeds than non-high-performance tires.

Highway tires
Also called summer tires; designed for wet-and-dry weather driving, but not for use on snow and ice.

Hub-centric
Wheels are manufactured to fit either the hub or the lugs. Hub-centric wheels match the hub hole of a custom wheel perfectly to the diameter of the hub of the vehicle.

I

Inflation
The act of putting air into tires.

Inner liner
The innermost layer of a tubeless tire, compounded with virtually impermeable butyl rubber. Some air loss over time will occur. Check your pressures monthly to ensure safe reliable operation of your tires.

K

Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. One psi is equal to 6.9 kPa.

L

Light truck
Automotive industry term for smaller trucks, pickups, passenger vans, CUV’s or SUVs.

Load-carrying capacity
Indicates how much weight a tire is certified to carry at maximum inflation pressure.

Loaded radius
The measurement in inches from the wheel axle centerline to the ground when the tire is properly inflated for the load.

Loaded section height
The height of the section of the tire that is making contact with the road.

Load index
An assigned number ranging from 0 to 279 that corresponds to the load-carrying capacity of a tire.

Load range
Defines a range of maximum loads that tires can carry at a defined pressure.

Lug-centric
Wheels are manufactured to fit either the hub or the lugs. Lug-centric is matching the lug holes of a custom wheel perfectly to the lug pattern of the vehicle.

M

M+S, M/S or M & S
All-season rating designation for tires that can perform at certain levels in mud and snow conditions. Meets the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) definition of a mud and snow tire.

Maximum inflation pressure
The maximum air pressure to which a cold tire may be inflated; can be found molded onto the sidewall.

Metric tire size system
One system used to describe a tire’s size. It is the standard system of the ETRTO (European Tire and Rim Technical Organization).

Misalignment
The result of your vehicle’s front and/or rear suspension not being properly aligned.

Mounting
This is the act of putting a tire on a wheel and ensuring that the assembly is balanced. When you purchase new tires, they need to be professionally mounted. It is also standard for the tire dealer to charge a nominal fee for a valve stem.

MSRP
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price.

N

Negative offset
When the wheel mounting face is closer to the brake side of the wheel, moving the tire and wheel assembly out of the fender well.

NHTSA
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://www.nhtsa.gov

Nominal Rim Diameter
The diameter of a tire rim, given in nearest whole numbers (e.g. 15 in.).

O

Offset
The offset of the rim is what locates the tire/wheel assembly in relation to the suspension. A wheel with zero offset has a mounting face that directly aligns to the wheel’s centerline.

OTR =Off the road
Tires not used for highway service, usually low speed. It is a general term, it could refer to tires used in mining sites, port, agricultural field, for loaders earthmovers, forklifts etc. TNR offers the most comprehensive range of OTR tires.

O-ring
O-ring is also referred to as a “seal ring”. O-ring forms an air-tight seal between separate parts of the rim.

Original Equipment
Tires selected by a vehicle manufacturer that best match tire performance to vehicle performance characteristics. Also known as OE.

Overall diameter
The diameter of the inflated tire, without any load.

Overall width
The distance between the outside of the two sidewalls, including lettering and designs.

Overinflation
Too much air in the tire, resulting in premature wear in the center of the tread.

P

Ply
A rubber-coated layer of fabric containing cords that run parallel to each other and make up the structure of a tire. Layers of this material are called plies, and they extend from bead to bead, between the inner liner, and belts or tread. Plies are usually reinforced with either textile or steel cords.

P-metric
Uniform designation of tire sizes, in metric measurements originally introduced by American tire manufacturers in 1975; commonly called P-metric series. A typical P-metric tire is P205/70R14 93S.

Pneumatic tire
A tire designed to be filled with air or foam. Contrary to pneumatic, it is solid tire which no air is filled into the tire.

Positive offset
The mounting face of a wheel is toward the wheel’s street side, moving the tire and wheel assembly in toward the vehicle.

PSI
Abbreviation for pounds per square inch, which is the automotive industry’s measurement of the pressure in a tire.

R

Radial ply tire
A type of tire with plies arranged so cords in the body run at 90-degree angles to the center line of the tread.

Ribs
A pattern of tread features aligned around the circumference of a tire. There are usually multiple ribs across the tread area of a tire.

Rim
That portion of a wheel to which a tire is mounted.

Rim diameter
The diameter of the rim bead seats supporting the tire.

Rim Drop
Also called drop center, a change (drop) in the rim profile between the rim flanges in which the bead area of a tire is placed during the mounting process. This allows the tire to be mounted on the rim.

Rim flange
Surface of the rim of the wheel that contacts the side of the tire bead.

Rolling circumference
The linear distance traveled by a tire in one revolution (its circumference). This can vary with load and inflation. Rolling circumference can be calculated as follows: 63,360 divided by revolutions per mile = rolling circumference in inches.

Rotation
The changing of tires from front to rear or from side to side on a vehicle according to a set pattern; provides even treadwear. Rotating your tires on a regular basis (every 6,000-8,000 miles) is a simple way to add miles to their life. See your tire warranty for more information on recommended rotation.

Rubber compound
A combination of raw materials blended according to carefully developed procedures. The rubber compound is specially adapted to the performance required of each type of tire.

Run Flat Technology
Tires that are designed to resist the effects of deflation when punctured, and to enable the vehicle to continue to be driven at reduced speeds and for limited distances.

Runout
The amount a wheel moves in and out, away from its true center as it is rotated. If runout is excessive, the wheel can be seen to wobble as it rotates.

S

Section height
The height of a tire, measured from its rim to its outer tread.

Section width
The distance between the outside of a tire’s sidewalls, not including any lettering or designs.

Self-aligning torque
When the tire is cornering, torque created at the road contact patch acts at a point somewhat to the rear of the actual wheel center due to pneumatic trail. This has the same effect as positive caster and tends to force the wheel back to the straight-ahead position.

Series
Tires with the same aspect ratio, or relationship of section height to section width.

Service description
Numbers and letters molded into the sidewall indicating the load-carrying capacity, load index, and the speed at which the tire can carry a load under specified conditions, or the speed rating. Also known as load index and speed symbol.

Shoulder
The area of a tire where the tread and sidewall meet.

Sidewall
That portion of a tire between the tread and the bead. Protects the tire against impacts with curbs, etc. This is also where the sidewall markings can be found which tell you important information regarding the tire.

Singles
One tire mounted on each side of an axle (two tires per axle). Super Single, usually describes wide section tires like 385/65R22.5, 425/65R22.5, and 445/65R22.5.

Size
The combination of tire width, construction type, aspect ratio, and rim size used in differentiating tires.

Snow tire
Also called winter tire; a special type of tire with a tread pattern and compound that gives better traction in extreme snowy and icy conditions; identified by the 3 peak mountain snow flake (3PMSF) symbol on sidewall.

Speed rating
An alphabetical code (A-Z) assigned to a tire indicating the range of speeds at which the tire can carry a load under specified service conditions.

Stability
Situation in which the driver maintains control of the vehicle.

Standard load
The amount of weight a given size tire can carry at a recommended air pressure.

Static balance
Exists when the weight mass is evenly distributed around the axis of rotation. Static imbalance can be detected from vibrations through the seat, floor and steering column.

Static loaded radius
Distance from the wheel axis of rotation to supporting surface at a given load and stated inflation pressure.

Steel belt
The combination of steel cords covered with rubber that forms a strip or belt placed under the tread rubber and on top of the casing (carcass); ensures uniformity when the tire is rotating and helps prevent flats.

Structure
The way in which a tire carcass is constructed. Radial structure tires can be identified by the word radial or by the letter R and today account for the majority of vehicle tires.

Suspension
The various springs, shock absorbers and linkages used to suspend a vehicle’s frame, body, engine, and drivetrain above its wheels.

Symmetrical Tread Design
Uniform tread pattern on both sides of the tread for better performance in specific conditions and on specific roads.

Synthetic rubber
Man-made, as opposed to natural, rubber. Most of today’s passenger car and light truck tires have a relatively small amount of natural rubber in their content.

T

Tensile Strength
An object’s resistance to stretching or breaking when placed in tension. Steel belts in a tire are characterized and compared based on their tensile strength.

Tire
Or tyre, also called pneumatic tire, a precisely engineered assembly of rubber, chemicals, fabric, and metal, designed to provide traction, cushion road shock and carry a load under varying conditions.

TRA
Tire and Rim Association.  http://us-tra.org/

Track
The distance between the outside tread edges of two tires on the same axle.

Traction
The friction between the tires and the road surface; the amount of grip provided.

Tread
That portion of a tire that comes into contact with the road. It is distinguished by the design of its ribs and grooves. Provides traction in a variety of conditions, withstands high forces, and resists wear, abrasion, and heat.

Tread Buffing
Scraping rubber off the tread. Also known as shaving.

Tread Depth
The depth of usable tread rubber measured in 32nds of an inch. If a tire comes new with 10/32nds of rubber, you have 8/32nds of usable rubber. Tire must be replaced when the wear bars are visible at 2/32nds.

Tread Life
The life of a tire before it is pulled from service; mileage.

Tread Rib
The tread section that runs around the circumference of the tire separated by the tread grooves.

Treadwear Indicator
Narrow bands, sometimes called wear bars, that appear across the tread of the tire when only 2/32 inch of tread remains.

Tread Width
The width of a tire’s tread.

TT= Tube Type/Tire with Tube
It refers to a type of tires needing a tube when mounting to a rim.

TL= Tubeless
Tubeless tires needs no tube when mounting to a rim.

U

Underinflation
Operating a tire without sufficient air pressure to support the weight of the vehicle with occupants and additional load; could cause failure of the tire when heat is generated inside the tire to the point of degeneration of components.

Uni-Directional Tread
Also known as directional tread, this is a tire designed to only rotate in one direction.

UTQGS
Also known as Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards. A government-sponsored tire information system that provides consumers with ratings (from AA to C) for a tire’s traction and temperature. Treadwear is normally rated from 60 to 900.

V

Valve
A device that lets air in or out of a tire. It is fitted with a valve cap to keep out dirt and moisture, plus a valve core to prevent air from escaping.

Vulcanization
The irreversible process of heating rubber under pressure to improve its strength and resilience.

W

Wet traction
Indicates how efficiently the tire disperses water to combat aquaplaning, and how well it grips wet roads in low-speed driving.

Wheelbase
The longitudinal distance from the center of the front wheel to the center of the rear wheel on the same side of the vehicle.

Wheel weights
Small weights attached or secured to the wheel to balance the tire and wheel assembly.

Z

Zero offset
When the mounting face of the wheel directly aligns with the wheel’s centerline.