{"id":1566,"date":"2026-10-02T12:14:36","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T10:14:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pneus-online.fr\/mag\/?p=1566"},"modified":"2026-10-02T12:24:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T10:24:13","slug":"tire-manufacturer-codes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pneus-online.fr\/mag\/en\/codes-constructeur-pneus\/","title":{"rendered":"MO, AO, \u2605, N0\u2026 What do the manufacturer codes inscribed on some tires mean?"},"content":{"rendered":"

MO, AO, \u2605, N0\u2026 What do the manufacturer codes inscribed on some tires mean?<\/h1>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

205\/55 R16, 91V, XL, RunFlat\u2026 The sidewall of a tire already contains many important information.<\/p>\n

But on some references, one can also see small codes like MO, AO, \u2605, N0, J or T0<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

They do not correspond to the tire\u2019s size or its speed rating. These markings are associated with certain automobile manufacturers.<\/p>\n

Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Porsche and Jaguar can thus have tires developed or homologated for some of their vehicles.<\/p>\n

So, what do these letters really mean? Is a tire bearing the same trade name necessarily identical? And is it absolutely necessary to choose a tire with the same marking when replacing it?<\/p>\n

Here's how to better understand these little codes that are often misunderstood.<\/p>\n

\n

Summary<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. What is a manufacturer homologation?<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. What do MO, AO, \u2605 and N0 mean?<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Can two tires of the same model be different?<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. 4 tires and their homologations to discover<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Should the same marking be required to be retained?<\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Can different homologations be mixed?<\/a><\/li>\n
  7. What are the other codes to know?<\/a><\/li>\n
  8. How to choose the right reference?<\/a><\/li>\n
  9. FAQ: manufacturer homologation of tires<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

    1. What is a manufacturer homologation?<\/h2>\n

    When developing a vehicle, the car manufacturer works on many parameters: suspension, steering, braking, weight, power, and noise level.<\/p>\n

    The tires also directly contribute to the car's behavior.<\/p>\n

    Some manufacturers are therefore developing specific versions of their tires in collaboration with automobile manufacturers.<\/p>\n

    Once validated, this version can receive a specific manufacturer marking<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    This makes it easier to identify the tire that corresponds to certain original tires.<\/p>\n

    Namely<\/em> The commercial name can remain exactly the same. A Michelin Pilot Sport 4, for example, can exist in standard versions but also in certain dimensions with a manufacturer homologation.<\/div>\n

    2. What do MO, AO, \u2605 and N0 mean?<\/h2>\n

    Here are some of the markings that are regularly found on tires:<\/p>\n