Lesson plan
Tire code
Automotive tires are described by several alphanumeric tire codes (North American English spelling) or tyre codes (Commonwealth English spelling), which are generally molded into the sidewall of the tire. These codes specify the dimensions of the tire and its key limitations, such as load-bearing ability and maximum speed. Sometimes the inner sidewall contains information not included on the outer sidewall, and vice versa. The code has grown in complexity over the years, as is evident from the mix of SI and USC units, and ad-hoc extensions to lettering and numbering schemes. Most passenger car tires sizes are given using either the P Metric tire sizing system or the Metric tire sizing system (which is based on ISO standards but is not to be confused with the ISO metric system). Pickup trucks and SUVs use the Light Truck Numeric or Light Truck High Flotation system. Heavy trucks and commercial vehicles use another system altogether.
Article summary
Automotive tires are described by several alphanumeric tire codes (North American English spelling) or tyre codes (Commonwealth English spelling), which are generally molded into the sidewall of the tire. These codes specify the dimensions of the tire and its key limitations, such as load-bearing ability and maximum speed. Sometimes the inner sidewall contains information not included on the outer sidewall, and vice versa. The code has grown in complexity over the years, as is evident from the mix of SI and USC units, and ad-hoc extensions to lettering and numbering schemes. Most passenger car tires sizes are given using either the P Metric tire sizing system or the Metric tire sizing system (which is based on ISO standards but is not to be confused with the ISO metric system). Pickup trucks and SUVs use the Light Truck Numeric or Light Truck High Flotation system. Heavy trucks and commercial vehicles use another system altogether.
Key claims
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.