JARGON BUSTERS

Quick Guide to Markings & Features

• V-Shaped Tread: High-tech tread pattern with wide grooves for optimal water and slush evacuation and "claw" effect on snow.
• 3PMSF Certification: The Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake marking guarantees legal and safe performance in severe winter conditions.
• Sidewall Shields: Trapezoidal blocks made of a hard rubber compound that protect the tyre from kerb damage without compromising casing flexibility.
• Tread Wear Indicator: A unique "percentage" gauge within the tread grooves that makes it easy for fleet managers to monitor remaining tyre life.
• Grip-Maximising Compound: An innovative rubber mix that stays supple in freezing temperatures while remaining durable in summer heat.
• C-Marking (Commercial): Indicates the tyre is specifically designed for Commercial vehicles, vans, and light trucks. These tyres are built with reinforced internal structures and multiple plies to handle heavier load capacities and the higher inflation pressures required for professional use compared to standard passenger car tyres.

Popular Fitments

• Mercedes-Benz Sprinter & VW Crafter: Provides the heavy-duty traction and stability required for high-roof delivery vans operating in hilly or rural Irish terrain.
• Ford Transit & Toyota Hiace: Offers rugged, year-round reliability for trade professionals who need consistent grip on both tarmac and construction sites.
• Renault Master & Opel Movano: Ensures maximum uptime for regional logistics fleets by removing the need for winter tyre storage and bi-annual changeovers.
• Ford Transit Custom & VW Transporter: Enhances safety for medium-sized vans with passenger-car-like braking distances on wet and dry roads in all seasons.

Summer Tyres vs All-Season & The Irish Climate

Summer tyres, such as the Michelin Agilis 3, use a hard compound for maximum grip and water clearance in temperatures above 7°C, but they lose traction on frost and snow. Conversely, All-Season tyres use a flexible compound and aggressive siping to ensure safety year-round. While summer tyres offer peak efficiency in mild weather, All-Season variants provide the convenience of a "fit and forget" solution with certified 3PMSF winter performance, eliminating the need for seasonal swaps in Ireland’s variable climate.

Load Rating and Speed Rating Explained

For vans and LCVs, the load index is a numerical code representing the maximum weight a single tyre can safely carry; the combined capacity of all four tyres must exceed the vehicle’s gross weight when fully loaded.

The speed rating (a letter) indicates the maximum velocity a tyre can maintain. Common LCV ratings include R (170 km/h), T (190 km/h), and H (210 km/h).

Essential Rule: Always check your vehicle’s tyre information plate (usually on the door pillar) and never fit a tyre with a lower load index or speed rating than the manufacturer's specification. See Table...

Common Sizes

• 195, 70, R15 C, 104/102R
• 215, 70, R15 C, 109/107S
• 225, 70, R15 C, 112/110S
• 195, 60, R16 C, 99/97H
• 195, 65, R16 C, 104/102R
• 195, 75, R16 C, 107/105R
• 205, 65, R16 C, 107/105T
• 205, 75, R16 C, 113/111R
• 215, 65, R16 C, 109/107T
• 215, 75, R16 C, 116/114R
• 225, 65, R16 C, 112/110R
• 235, 65, R16 C, 115/113R
• 215, 60, R17 C, 109/107T
• 215, 60, R17 C, 104/102H
• 225, 55, R17 C, 109/107H
• 235, 60, R17 C, 117/115R