Kia Telluride (LQ2, 2027-2026) Owner's Manual / Maintenance / Tires and wheels / Tire terminology and definitions

Kia Telluride: Tires and wheels / Tire terminology and definitions

Refer to the following list for detailed definitions and technical explanations of key automotive terms found in tire descriptions and manual specifications for your Kia Telluride:

Air Pressure: The total force of compressed air inside the tire structure pushing outward against the inner liner and tread walls. Internal air pressure is typically measured and expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa).
Accessory Weight: The combined weight of optional factory-installed equipment and feature packages. Common examples of optional accessories include automatic transmission systems, multi-way power seats, power sunroof assemblies, and air conditioning units.
Aspect Ratio: The dimensional relationship of a tire’s sidewall height expressed as a percentage of its section width.
Belt: A rubber-coated fabric layer reinforced with structural cords, positioned directly between the interior body plies and the outer tread surface. The reinforcing internal cords may be constructed from high-tensile steel woven wire or other durable composite materials.
Bead: The reinforced inner edge of a tire containing high-strength steel wires wrapped by durable steel cords, designed to seat tightly against the wheel rim flange to maintain an airtight seal.
Bias Ply Tire: A pneumatic tire construction in which internal ply cords extend diagonally across the tire profile at alternate angles under 90 degrees relative to the tread centerline.
Cold Tire Pressure: The internal inflation pressure of a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa), taken before the tire generates heat from active vehicle operation or ambient sun exposure.
Curb Weight: The total baseline weight of a motor vehicle like the Kia Telluride, including all standard and optional equipment, along with full fluid capacities (maximum engine oil, coolant, and a full tank of fuel), but excluding passengers and cargo payload.
DOT Markings: An official standardized code permanently molded into the tire sidewall indicating that the tire meets or exceeds U.S. Department of Transportation motor vehicle safety regulations. This marking incorporates the Tire Identification Number (TIN), an alphanumeric code identifying the specific manufacturer, production plant, brand design, and exact calendar week and year of manufacture.
GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating—the maximum permissible total weight limit of the vehicle when fully loaded with occupants, cargo, fluids, and accessories.
GAWR FRT: Gross Axle Weight Rating for the Front axle—the maximum allowable structural load weight supported by the front axle assembly.
GAWR RR: Gross Axle Weight Rating for the Rear axle—the maximum allowable structural load weight supported by the rear axle assembly.
Intended Outboard Sidewall: The designated exterior-facing sidewall of an asymmetrical tire design that features specific raised lettering or must always face outward when mounted onto the wheel rim of your Kia Telluride.
Kilopascal (kPa): The international metric unit used for measuring fluid and air pressure within tire inflation systems.
Light truck (LT) tire: A heavy-duty tire specifically designated by its manufacturer for primary installation on pickup trucks, full-size vans, or multi-purpose sport utility vehicles requiring higher load capacity.
Load rating: The maximum total weight capacity that an individual tire is engineered to safely support at a specified cold inflation pressure.
Load Index: A standardized numerical code ranging from 1 to 279 molded on the sidewall, which corresponds directly to the maximum load-carrying capability of the tire.
Maximum Inflation Pressure: The absolute upper limit of cold air pressure to which a tire can be safely inflated, as permanently molded onto the sidewall casing by the manufacturer.
Maximum Load Rating: The peak structural load capacity of a tire when operating at its maximum specified cold inflation pressure.
Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight: The total combined weight calculation encompassing the base curb weight, optional accessory weight, total vehicle capacity weight limit, and production options weight.
Normal Occupant Weight: The standardized weight calculation determined by multiplying the designated seating capacity of the Kia Telluride by an estimated average weight of 150 lb (68 kg) per person.

Occupant Distribution

The specific, designated seating layout and passenger placement positions inside the vehicle interior.

Outward Facing Sidewall

The exterior-facing side of an asymmetrical tire design that must face away from the vehicle body when properly mounted on a wheel. The outward facing sidewall often features raised white lettering, distinct styling elements, or manufacturer, brand, and model markings that are noticeably higher or deeper than those found on the inward-facing sidewall.

Passenger (P-Metric) Tire

A standardized tire sizing designation engineered primarily for passenger cars, crossovers, light-duty trucks, and multipurpose utility vehicles like the Kia Telluride.

Ply

An individual internal structural layer composed of rubber-coated parallel cords that gives the tire carcass its shape, strength, and flexibility.

Pneumatic tire

A flexible mechanical structure engineered from vulcanized rubber, chemical compounds, reinforced fabric, and steel wire cords that fits securely onto an automotive wheel rim to contain pressurized air or gas, supporting total vehicle weight while generating necessary road traction.

Production options weight

The cumulative weight of factory-installed optional equipment packages weighing more than 5 lb (2.3 kg) over the standard base components they replace, which were not previously accounted for within standard curb weight or accessory weight calculations. Common examples include heavy-duty brake assemblies, self-leveling rear suspension modules, integrated roof rack systems, high-capacity batteries, and premium interior trim packages.

Recommended Inflation Pressure

The optimal cold tire pressure specified by the vehicle manufacturer to ensure ideal vehicle handling, fuel efficiency, and tire longevity, as prominently printed on the Kia Telluride tire information placard.

Radial Ply Tire

A modern pneumatic tire layout where internal ply cords run radially from bead to bead at a direct 90-degree angle relative to the tread centerline, improving tread life and cornering stability.

Rim

The rigid metal outer structure of an automotive wheel upon which the rubber tire beads seat tightly to establish a durable air seal.

Sidewall

The flexible side region of a tire located directly between the outer tread shoulder and the inner mounting bead ring.

Speed Rating

A standardized alphanumeric symbol molded into the sidewall that specifies the maximum sustained speed capability at which a tire can safely carry its designated load.

Traction

The amount of frictional grip developed between the tire tread rubber and the road surface under acceleration, cornering, and braking.

Tread

The outer rubber surface layer of a tire featuring carved grooves, sipes, and blocks designed to make direct physical contact with the road.

Treadwear Indicators

Narrow raised rubber ridges, commonly referred to as "wear bars," molded across the main circumferential tread grooves that become flush with the surface when remaining tread depth reaches a critical limit of 1/16 inch (1.6 mm), signaling the need for immediate tire replacement on your Kia Telluride.

UTQGS

Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards—a comprehensive rating system established to provide buyers with standardized comparative metrics for tire treadwear longevity, wet braking traction performance, and high-speed temperature resistance. These standardized grades are determined through standardized manufacturer testing and are permanently molded onto the outer sidewall of the tire.

Vehicle Capacity Weight

The total combined weight limit calculated by multiplying the official passenger seating capacity by an average weight of 150 lb (68 kg) per person, then adding the designated maximum payload capacity for luggage and cargo.

Vehicle Maximum Load on the Tire

The total individual load weight placed upon a single tire resulting from the cumulative sum of vehicle curb weight, optional accessory weight, total passenger load, and maximum cargo weight.

Vehicle Normal Load on the Tire

The average weight placed on an individual tire during daily driving conditions, calculated by adding the front or rear axle's share of curb weight, accessory weight, and standard occupant weight, then dividing the total by 2.

Vehicle Placard

An official informational label permanently affixed to the driver-side center pillar (B-pillar) doorframe of the Kia Telluride, displaying original equipment tire dimensions, cold inflation pressures, and total payload limits.

Tires and wheels

Tire care Proper tire maintenance is vital to ensure maximum driving safety, optimal vehicle handling, extended tread life, and peak fuel efficiency for your Kia Telluride...

Tire sidewall labeling

The standardized markings embossed onto the tire sidewall identify and describe the fundamental construction characteristics of the tire, while providing the official Tire Identification Number (TIN) required for safety standard compliance and verification...

Other information:

Kia Telluride (LQ2, 2027-2026) Owner's Manual: Effective use of TPMS

Every tire installed on your Kia Telluride, including the compact spare tire (if equipped), should be thoroughly checked monthly when cold and adjusted to the exact inflation pressure specified on the driver's side B-pillar tire information placard. (If your vehicle is fitted with aftermarket or non-standard tire sizes different from those listed on the tire information placard, you should consult a tire specialist to establish the correct cold inflation pressure for those specific tire dimensions.

Kia Telluride (LQ2, 2027-2026) Owner's Manual: To stay in N (Neutral) when engine is OFF

If you need the Kia Telluride to remain in N (Neutral) after switching the engine off while the ignition is in the ACC position, follow the procedure below: Turn AUTO HOLD off and release the parking brake while the vehicle is in the ON position.