What does 'ao' on tires mean?
3 Answers
Tire's 'ao' is the mark of Audi's original tires. Car tires are one of the important components of a car, which are in direct contact with the road surface and work together with the car suspension to mitigate the impact during driving, ensuring good ride comfort and smooth driving performance. They also ensure good adhesion between the wheels and the road surface, thereby improving the car's traction, braking, and passability. Car tires are generally composed of three parts: the outer tire, the inner tube, and the flap. The inner layer of the tire has a rubber layer with excellent air tightness, gradually moving towards the direction of lightweight tires. The outer tire is mainly composed of the carcass, tread, sidewall, and bead, with the carcass and bead forming the force-bearing structure of the car's pneumatic tire.
I think the AO marking on tires mainly indicates Audi's original factory certification, meaning the tire has undergone Audi's testing and approval and is specifically adapted for some of their models, such as the A4 or Q5. As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I've seen many friends overlook this and end up with unstable handling or excessive noise after casually changing tires. You really have to be careful. Choosing tires with the AO marking ensures better performance compatibility and extends service life. I also recall that similar markings like MO represent Mercedes-Benz, and the star symbol is BMW's certification. In short, checking for this AO marking when changing tires can prevent potential issues and ensure smooth and safe driving.
As a car enthusiast, I have a good understanding of tire codes. The 'AO' on tires stands for Audi Original, indicating that they are OEM-certified tires specifically designed for Audi vehicles, having passed Audi's high-standard testing to earn that marking. You'll typically find the AO logo on the tire sidewall, which ensures better grip and shock absorption. From my own comparisons, certified tires perform better than regular ones in terms of fuel efficiency and noise control. Similarly, BMW uses an asterisk (*) marking while Porsche uses N1 labeling - the principle is the same. I often advise fellow car enthusiasts to choose new tires with these markings to maintain their vehicle's optimal condition. Don't overlook these small details, as they can significantly impact the overall driving experience.
