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Tires
Tires
TIRE MARKINGS
P (1) Aspect ratio (3)
The P indicates the tire is for passenger This two-digit number, known as the
vehicles. aspect ratio, gives the tire's ratio of height
to width (this is also known as the tire
Tire width (2)
profile). The lower the number, the shorter
This three-digit number gives the width in the tire’s sidewall.
millimetres of the tire from sidewall edge
to sidewall edge. In general, the larger the
number, the wider the tire.
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R (4)
The R stands for radial. Radial ply Letter Rating Speed Rating
construction of tires has been the industry Q 99 mph
standard for the past 20 years. R 106 mph
Wheel diameter (5) S 112 mph
This two-digit number is the wheel or rim T 118 mph
diameter in inches. If you change your U 124 mph
wheel size, you will have to purchase new H 130 mph
tires to match the new wheel diameter. V 149 mph
Load index (6) W 168 mph
Y 186 mph*
This two- or three-digit number is the
tire's load index. It is a measurement of * For tires with a maximum speed
how much weight each tire can support. capability over 149 mph, tire
manufacturers sometimes use the
Note: You may not find this information letters ZR. For those with a maximum
on all tires because it is not required by speed capability over 186 mph, tire
law. manufacturers always use the letters
Speed rating (7) ZR.
The speed rating denotes the speed at
which a tire is designed to be driven for
extended periods of time. The ratings U.S DOT tire identification number (8)
range from 99 miles per hour (mph) to 186 This begins with the letters DOT and
mph. These ratings are listed in the indicates that the tire meets all Federal
following table. standards. The next two numbers or
Note: You may not find this information letters are the plant code where it was
on all tires because it is not required by manufactured, and the last four numbers
law. represent the week and year the tire was
built. For example, the numbers 3197
means the 31st week of 1997. The other
numbers are marketing codes used at the
manufacturer's discretion. This
information can be used to contact
consumers if a tire defect requires a
recall.
M+S (9)
The M+S or M/S indicates that the tire has
some mud and snow capability. Most
radial tires have these markings: they
have some mud and snow capability.
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Tire ply composition and materials Temperature letter (14)
used (10) This letter indicates a tire's resistance to
The number of plies indicates the number heat. The temperature grade is for a tire
of layers of rubber-coated fabric in the that is inflated properly and not
tire. In general, the greater the number of overloaded. Excessive speed,
plies, the more weight a tire can support. under-inflation or excessive loading,
Tire manufacturers also must indicate the either separately or in combination, can
materials in the tire, which include steel, cause heat build-up and possible tire
nylon, polyester, and others. failure. From highest to lowest, a tire's
resistance to heat is graded as A, B, or C.
Treadwear number (11)
For more information, refer to page 235.
This number indicates the tire's wear rate.
The higher the treadwear number is, the Maximum permissible inflation
longer it should take for the tread to wear pressure (15)
down. For example, a tire graded 400 This number is the greatest amount of air
should last twice as long as a tire graded pressure that should ever be put in the tire
200. under normal driving conditions.
For more information, refer to page 235.
Traction letter (12)
This letter indicates a tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement. A higher graded tire
should allow you to stop your car on wet
roads in a shorter distance than a tire with
a lower grade. Traction is graded from
highest to lowest as AA, A, B, and C. For
more information, refer to page 235.
Maximum load rating (13)
This number indicates the maximum load
in kilograms and pounds that can be
carried by the tire.
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RECOMMENDED TIRE
FITMENT
The following chart details the tires
recommended for use in the USA and
Canada:
Tire size Pattern
235/50 R 18 97H Continental ContiTouring Contact
CH95
255/40 ZR 19 96Y Pirelli P Zero
255/35 ZR 20 97Y Michelin Pilot Sport
The following chart details the tires
recommended for use in Mexico see
column A below, Dominican Republic see
column B below:
Tire size Pattern A B
235/50 ZR 18 97W Pirelli P6000 Powergy - Y
255/40 ZR 19 96Y Pirelli P-Zero Y -
255/35 ZR 20 97Y Michelin Pilot Sport Y -
For all other countries refer to your
local Jaguar Dealer for specific tire
fitment.
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TIRE CARE Incorrect wheel alignment will accelerate
In the interests of safety and reliability, it is tire wear. Fins on the inner or outer edges
advisable to check the tires, including the of the tread pattern are caused by
spare, for condition and pressure on a excessive toe-in or toe-out respectively.
weekly basis. Refer to page 225 for As fins may also be caused by high
instructions on how to check tire cornering speeds or road camber, it is
pressures. advantageous to have the cause detected
by having the wheel alignment checked.
Wear
Tire repair
It is recommended that damaged tires are
discarded and new tires fitted. They must
not be repaired in view of the high
performance capability of the vehicle.
Damage
Excessive local distortion can cause the
casing of a tire to fracture and may lead to
premature failure. Tires should be
examined especially for cracked walls,
exposed cords, etc. Flints and other
sharp objects must be removed from the
All tires fitted as original equipment tire tread; if left in they may work through
include tread wear indicators (TWI) in their the cover. Clean off any oil or grease
tread pattern. When the tread has worn to contamination by using a suitable cleaner.
a remaining depth of 1.6 mm the Caution: Do not use paraffin
indicators appear at the surface as bars (kerosene), because this has a
which connect the tread pattern across detrimental effect on rubber.
the full width of the tire.
Age
It is illegal, in certain countries,
to continue to use tires after the tread has Tires degrade over time, even when they
worn to less than 1.6 mm over three are not being used. It is recommended
quarters of the width and the entire that tires generally be replaced after 6
circumference of the tire. years of normal service. Heat caused by
hot climates or frequent high loading
It should be noted that the properties of
conditions can accelerate the aging
many tires alter progressively with wear.
process.
In particular the wet grip and aquaplaning
resistance are gradually but substantially You should replace the spare tire when
reduced. Extra care and speed restriction you replace other road tires due to the
should therefore be exercised on wet aging of the spare tire.
roads as the effective tread depth
diminishes.
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Tire use after vehicle storage
After a long period of a vehicle standing,
tires may become locally distorted with a
flat area. This will cause an uneven ride
for a few miles until the tires have warmed
up and the flat rounds off.
However, to reduce the effects of
flat-spots, the tires of a stored vehicle
may be inflated to pressures not
exceeding 60 psi (420 kPa).
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TIRE QUALITY GRADES
United States Department of
! WARNING:
Transportation/Uniform Tire Quality The traction grade assigned to this tire
Grades is based on braking (straight ahead)
traction tests and does not include
The following information relates to the
acceleration, cornering hydroplaning
tire grading system developed by the
or peak traction characteristics.
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration which will grade tires by Temperature - A, B, C
tread wear, traction and temperature The temperature grades A (the highest), B
performance. and C represents the tire’s resistance to
Tread wear the generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under
The tread wear grade is a comparative
controlled conditions on a specified
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
indoor laboratory test wheel.
when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified government test course. Sustained high temperature can cause
For example, a tire graded 150 would the material of the tire to degenerate and
wear one and a half (1.5) times as well on reduce tire life, and excessive
the government course as a tire temperature can lead to sudden tire
graded 100. failure.
The relative performance of tires depends The grade C corresponds to a level of
upon the actual conditions of their use, performance which all passenger car tires
however, and may depart significantly must meet under the Federal Motor
from the norm due to variations in driving Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
habits, service practices and differences Grades B and A represent higher levels of
in road characteristics and climate. performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
Traction - A, B, C
The traction grades, from the highest to
the lowest are AA, A, B and C. The ! WARNING:
grades represent the tire’s ability to stop The temperature grade for these tires
on wet pavements as measured under is established for a tire that is properly
controlled conditions on specified inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
government test surfaces of asphalt and speed, under-inflation or excessive
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor loading, either separately or in
traction performance. combination, can cause heat build-up
and possible tire failure.
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TIRE RENEWAL It is recommended that only Jaguar
When renewing tires, it is preferable to fit approved winter tires are used, as
a complete vehicle set. If either front or follows:
rear tires only need to be renewed,
new tires must be fitted, as axle sets, Tire Size Pattern
to replace worn ones. 235/55 R 17 Continental
After new tires have been fitted the 103V ContiWinter
wheels need to be dynamically balanced. Contact TS790
The radial ply tires specified are designed 235/50 R 18 Continental
to meet the high-speed performance 101V ContiWinter
capability of this vehicle. Contact TS790
Do not fit tires with a different tread 235/50 R 18 Pirelli Snowsport
pattern, size or speed rating. 101V 240
SNOW CHAINS
Tire directional indicators must be
Snow chains, of the recommended type,
rotating in a clockwise direction when
may only be fitted to rear wheels.
viewed from the right-hand side of the
Contact your Jaguar Dealer for details vehicle, and anti-clockwise when viewed
and availability of approved snow chains. from the left-hand side of the vehicle.
The maximum speed when using snow Do not exceed 210 km/h (130 mph) when
chains is 48 km/h (30 mph). using Jaguar approved winter tires.
Remove the snow chains immediately the Winter tires must be used in vehicle sets,
roads are clear of snow. that is, fitted on all four wheels.
Ensure the fitting instructions supplied The recommended tire pressures for
with the snow chains are kept in a safe winter tires are the same as shown on
place, for example, with this literature page 225.
pack.
If non-Jaguar approved winter tires are
Note: Dynamic stability control MUST be fitted, refer to the tire pressure
switched OFF when using snow chains. information label, attached to the inside of
WINTER (SNOW) TIRES the fuel filler flap.
The tires fitted as original equipment are
designed with a rubber compound, tread
pattern and width specially suited for high
speeds in normal road conditions,
but they are less suitable during extremes
of low temperatures, snow and ice.
The use of winter tires will considerably
improve the vehicle’s handling during
these conditions.
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