Car tires are marked with a long string of codes, starting with the letters “DOT.” These tell you when the tire was made, where it was made, the size, and more. The next code is three letters or numbers, which tells you the type of tire. The one that interests us is “OWL.”
OWL stands for Outlined White Letters. If it says “OW,” then it’s just outlined in white. If it says “RWL,” then you have raised white letters.
If it says “ORWL,” then you have outline raised white letters. It’s all very confusing, but don’t worry — we’ll explain exactly what all of this means, and why you care about car tire codes.
Table of Contents
What does owl mean on tires?
OWL is the abbreviation of “Outlined White Letters.” It highlights and enhances the tires, which have different codes written on them. The code tells you the dimensions and specifications of the tire and its age.
Though it is not necessary for the OWL tires to be elevated, They can be mounted on the road surface just like the other tires.
The OWL tires are designed for heavy-duty vehicles. Because of their strong construction, they can perform well on rough terrain by providing a smooth driving experience with enhanced traction and control.
They offer excellent stability at different speeds and superior steering response in both wet and dry conditions.
If you own a car and have good knowledge of it, then you are familiar with the OWL tires. If you don’t know about it, then you must not be much interested in cars.
Well, what we are trying to say is that there is nothing wrong with it. OWL tires have been around for quite some time, and we’re sure you’ve seen them at least once in your life.
Some people prefer to get their tire sidewalls painted with white letters to enhance their look, but this can be easily done with a brush as well.
But there are many who do not like the concept of having painted sidewalls on their tires, so they prefer having a plain color without any writing on them.
This is where OWL tires come into play, as they provide a good alternative to having painted sidewalls on your car’s tires.
Can you flip OWL tires?
The OWL and OWL all-season tires are part of Michelin’s SUV tire range. The two tires have some similarities, but there are also some differences between the two.
The OWL tire is a fuel-efficient option, while the OWL all-season is more durable with an increased tread life.
The OWL tire is made with a unique tread compound that can reduce roll resistance by 5%, which not only boosts the tire’s fuel efficiency but also increases its traction on wet surfaces.
The tread compound also helps with stopping distances on wet roads as it prevents hydroplaning.
The OWL tire has a symmetrical tread pattern, which makes it possible to rotate the tires in different directions to increase their lifespan and even out their wear.
The OWL all-season has an increased tread life compared to the OWL thanks to its asymmetric tread pattern and steel belts.
These features make it possible for you to rotate the tires in different directions when you’re getting them inspected or serviced, which helps even out their wear.
The OWL all-season has deeper grooves than the OWL, which helps prevent hydroplaning and improves its traction on wet surfaces.
What is a BSW owl?
The owl is an animal that has been used in many different cultures throughout time. In the present, the owl is often associated with wisdom.
It is a common mascot for schools and other organizations, and a popular symbol of knowledge.
However, its symbolic value was not always so positive; in ancient Greece, it was associated with Athena, goddess of reason and intelligence, but also linked to darkness and death.
The Greek word for owl was glaux. The word “owlet” dates back to at least 1604, when it appeared in a letter written by Lady Mary Wroth.
In antiquity, the owl was the symbol of Athena, goddess of wisdom (Minerva in Roman mythology), and was said to be her favorite bird.
The Roman equivalent of the Greek Athena is Minerva; the Romans also equated her with the goddess Nehalennia. The owl became identified with this aspect of Minerva as well.
This association might have arisen because Athena’s usual attribute was the aegis that had a Gorgon head on it (a symbol of protection), which bore some resemblance to an owl’s face.
What do tire codes mean?
The aspect ratio is the two-digit number after the slash mark in a tire size. For example, in a size P215/65R15 tire, the 65 means that the height is equal to 65% of the tire’s width. The bigger the aspect ratio, the bigger the tire’s sidewall will be.
In a size P215/65 R15 tire, 215 is the width of the tire, which is measured from sidewall to sidewall; 65 is the aspect ratio; R indicates radial-ply construction; and 15 is the wheel or rim diameter, in inches.
Radial-ply tires offer better handling because they’re designed with body ply cords that extend at 90 degrees to the tread center line. Radial-ply tires also provide a smoother ride than bias-ply tires because their construction allows them to flex easily.
Metric tires are identified by load index and speed rating instead of load capacity and maximum speed. A metric tire’s load index indicates its load carrying capacity at maximum recommended inflation pressure.
The higher the metric tire’s load index number, the greater its load carrying capacity. Speed ratings indicate the maximum road speed capability for tires used on passenger cars and light trucks at maximum recommended inflation pressure under specified service conditions.
What’s the best speed rating for tires?
A tire’s speed rating tells you the maximum service speed for a tire. Selecting a tire with an equal or greater speed rating than the original equipment tire is generally recommended. (To determine your vehicle’s original tire speed rating, see the vehicle placard or owner’s manual.)
You can usually find the speed rating in your owner’s manual. If it’s not listed there, look on the sidewall of one of your tires. The letter will be at the end of a series after a forward slash (for example, P215/60R16 95T).
If you need to find a replacement tire, try our Tire Finder tool and choose Speed Rating from the drop down menu as one of your search criteria. Then select a tire with an equal or greater speed rating than what your vehicle requires.
Tire Speed Rating Chart:
| Symbol Speed | Speed (km/h) | Speed (mph) |
| A1 | 5 | 3 |
| A2 | 10 | 6 |
| A3 | 15 | 6 |
| A4 | 20 | 12 |
| A5 | 25 | 16 |
| A6 | 30 | 19 |
| B | 35 | 22 |
| C | 40 | 25 |
| D | 45 | 28 |
| E | 55 | 31 |
| F | 65 | 34 |
| G | 70 | 37 |
| J | 80 | 43.5 |
Are BSW tires good?
I have run BSW AT’s on my FJ for about 10 years. I have had no complaints about them at all. I get great mileage out of them, they are quiet and smooth on the highway, and they perform pretty well off-road.
I also have a set of BFG KM2 MTs on my Tacoma and they are also very good tires. I’d say that they are better than the ATs off-road but not as good on the road.
The MTs do make more noise on the road than the ATs, but not too loud. The KM2s are also pretty big tires, so it might be worth checking to see what you can fit on your 4Runner.
Are all-season tires the same as all terrain?
All-season tires are designed for daily driving and offer a balance between dry, wet and snow traction. Most all-season tires are designed to provide comfort, a quiet ride, and wear resistance.
Most all-season tires are designed with a specific tread compound that performs well in cold temperatures on snow, ice, rain, and dry pavement.
All-terrain tires have a more aggressive tread pattern to provide additional traction in dirt or gravel. Due to the aggressive nature of the tread pattern, they tend to be louder on the road than all-season tires and have shorter tread life than all-season tires.
The difference between all-season and all-terrain tires is typically seen in the tread design. All-season tires are smooth and exhibit less noise while driving on roads.
All-terrain tires have larger patterns with deep grooves, which create more noise when driving.
All-terrain tires have a more aggressive tread pattern to provide additional traction in dirt or gravel. Due to the aggressive nature of the tread pattern, they tend to be louder on the road than all-season tires and have shorter tread life than all-season tires.
What does B mean on a tire?
Light truck tires are available in two types: passenger (P) and light truck (LT). The main difference between the two is the load-carrying capacity. Light truck tires have a higher weight rating than passenger tires.
The load range is indicated by a letter after the tire size, following the rim diameter code. For example, an LT245/75R16 tire might be rated for a maximum load of 3,195 lbs. at 35 psi when carrying a single load.
The second letter indicates the speed rating of the tire. A speed rating means that your tire can safely operate at maximum legal speeds in the U.S., which is up to 55 miles per hour higher than its rated speed.
All-terrain tires available for trucks and SUVs are considered “all-season” tires.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do tire sizes need to be exact?
This is where things get complicated. If you were to put a 215/65R17 on a 16-inch wheel, the tire would not only look funny but would likely rub against the wheel well when turning.
2. Can I increase tire profile?
For a safe upgrade, the tire size cannot be increased by more than three percent of the car’s original total tire diameter.
Any difference greater than 3% is not recommended because it may affect speedometer accuracy, gear ratios, and suspension and braking components.
3. Do larger tires ride better?
Larger wheels cost more money. The bigger you go, the more expensive the wheels and tires become. Going with larger wheels will also lower your fuel economy and may interfere with the operation of your anti-lock brakes or traction control systems. And there’s no guarantee a larger wheel will even fit over your brakes or between your fenders.
4. Do low profile tires wear out faster?
Low-profile tires are available for cars as well as trucks, SUVs, and vans.
Conclusion
A tire’s sidewall is marked with a long string of symbols, starting with the letters “DOT.” These tell you when the tire was made, where it was made, the size, and more.
The next code is three letters or numbers, which tells you the type of tire. The one that interests us is “OWL,” which stands for Outlined White Letters. If it says “OW,” then it’s just outlined in white.
If it says “RWL,” then you have raised white letters. If it says “ORWL,” then you have Outline Raised White Letters.
It’s all very confusing, but don’t worry — we’ll explain exactly what all of this means, and why you care about car tire codes.
Tires are complex products with important safety, performance, and environmental implications. Manufacturers need to label them with a lot of information to meet legal standards and help people make good decisions when buying them.
There’s also a lot of useful data to help mechanics identify old tires when they need to be replaced, or even track down a suspect vehicle if there’s been a hit-and-run accident (there are unique marks on every tire).
