New tyres have coloured lines primarily as alphanumeric codes to assist manufacturers and distributors with identification and sorting.
These coloured stripes are not for aesthetic purposes or performance indication for the end user. Instead, they function as a crucial internal system within the tyre industry. According to information from October 1, 2020, these lines were developed to help manufacturers and distributors avoid costly mistakes.
The Purpose Behind the Lines
The coloured lines serve as a visual shorthand, representing alphanumeric codes that precisely indicate various characteristics of a specific tyre model.
What Information Do the Lines Convey?
The codes embedded in the coloured lines typically signify:
- Tyre size: Crucial for matching tyres to the correct vehicles.
- Tyre type: Differentiating between various applications (e.g., passenger car, truck, summer, winter).
- Other parameters: This could include production batches, specific specifications for certain vehicle manufacturers, or other internal sorting criteria.
How They Prevent Costly Mistakes
In large-scale manufacturing and distribution centres, handling millions of tyres requires an efficient sorting system. Tyres look very similar, making manual identification based solely on sidewall markings time-consuming and prone to error.
- Quick Identification: Workers can quickly identify and sort tyres by looking at the coloured lines, significantly speeding up the process.
- Reduced Errors: The distinct colour combinations and patterns help prevent misidentification, ensuring the correct tyres are sent to the right locations or assembly lines. This directly helps manufacturers and distributors avoid the costly mistakes associated with incorrect shipments or production delays.
Beyond the Factory
Once the tyres are installed on a vehicle, these coloured lines typically wear off quickly during normal driving. They serve no purpose after the tyre has been correctly identified and placed in its final destination.
In summary, the coloured lines on new tyres are a simple yet effective logistical tool used by the industry to streamline sorting and prevent errors during the manufacturing and distribution phases.
| Feature | Description | Benefit for Manufacturers/Distributors |
|---|---|---|
| Coloured Lines | Visual alphanumeric codes | Easy, quick identification |
| Information Held | Tyre Size, Type, Parameters | Ensures correct matching and handling |
| Primary Purpose | Internal sorting and logistics | Avoids costly errors, improves efficiency |
