What does the 'ao' on tires mean?
2 Answers
Tire 'ao' refers to a marking for Audi's original equipment tires. Tires are crucial components of a vehicle, directly contacting the road surface and working with the vehicle's suspension to mitigate impacts during driving, ensuring good ride comfort and smooth operation. The functions of tires include: 1. Transmitting driving force, braking force, and steering force to achieve vehicle control; 2. Reducing and absorbing vibrations and impacts during driving to avoid severe vibrations that could damage vehicle components. Tire maintenance methods include: 1. Ensuring standard tire pressure; 2. Controlling tire temperature; 3. Conducting routine inspections before driving; 4. Storing safely, avoiding exposure to sunlight, oil, acid, or hydrocarbons.
Well, the AO marking on tires usually refers to Audi-specific tires, which I discovered on my Audi. They are specifically optimized for handling and noise control, providing a smoother ride. Every time I go to the 4S dealership for maintenance, the technicians emphasize using tires with the AO marking, otherwise it may affect the suspension system or accelerate wear. Regular tires can also be installed, but they don’t match as well as the dedicated ones, especially in rainy conditions or during high-speed driving, where unstable handling can be noticeable. It’s recommended that car owners carefully check the sidewall when replacing tires—the AO marking is often in small print next to the size. Don’t confuse it with other markings like MO (Mercedes-specific) or Star (BMW-specific). Long-term neglect of such markings may shorten tire lifespan and increase maintenance costs. Last time I switched to regular tires, the braking distance increased—it was a close call. From now on, I’ll stick to factory-certified ones.
