Since 1973, all new vehicles are required by law to have a tyre placard. This is affixed to the car by car manufacturer on purchase. It can often be found in the glove box, on the load driver's door pillar, on the inside of the fuel cap or sometimes under the bonnet of your car. The tyre placard provides essential recommended information on tyre pressures, load capacity and speed rating. Tyre placard also includes information regarding original and optional tyres and rims for that vehicle model.

Wheels and tyres are vital to your safety. Since 1971, Australian Design Rule 24 have been progressively introduced to specify wheel rims that will stop a deflated tyre from coming off the wheel, to determine strength, air pressures, speed ratings and allowable combinations of a wheel and tyre sizes. This is beneficial base information; however, there will be times when you may require more detailed knowledge than the tyre placard gives.

 

As per Australian Design Rules, A vehicle under 4.5 tonnes may be equipped with tyres often than those listed on the tyre placard provided that:

  1. The tyre’s load rating is above or equal to minimum load rating listed on the tyre placard of the vehicle.
  2. The proper tyre’s speed rating of the passenger vehicle is at least 180 km/h when the tyre placard requires a higher speed rating than that.

Vehicle’s placard also guides for air pressure standards concerning heavy loads and sustained the high-speed operation. This is only a guide and if you are looking for more in-depth information regarding your Car Tyres, Consult with a professional of Car Tyres and You.

In case of tyre replacement, following information need to confirm first;

  1. Car tyres must follow the manufacturer’s rating standard as being suitable for road use,
  2. As per axel, construction and size of the tyre should be same.
  3. Car tyres should follow the rules of Australian Safety Standards.