[Aditya]

Back in the 1980s and 90s, white lettering on tyres was all the rage. Every enthusiast wanted his car's tyres with white lettering. It added a racy look to the car.

In fact, in the 90s, many people used to paint the letters on their cars' tyres white. I did it too and so did many others I knew. They looked so damn cool! The trend vanished in the years that followed. However, now, white-lettered tyres seem to be coming back in vogue - especially for SUV tyres.

Manufacturers like Apollo, JK Tyre and Yokohama are selling tyres with white lettering.

Apollo Apterra:


JK Tyre Ranger:




In 2015, when GTO changed his Mahindra Classic's tyres, he opted for tyres with white lettering. All or at least most of us agree that they look great.

Yokohama Geolander:


So, do you like tyres with white lettering?

[SmartCat]

Originally Posted by Aditya

So, do you like tyres with white lettering?

Looks good, but only on tyres with thick sidewalls (SUV/Offroad tyres).

It looks very ordinary on other tyres. Eg: MRF Nylogrip bike tyres

[suhaas307]

I would be lying if I say that I hadn't considered something like this for my little Polo.

In fact, I'd found tyre stickers available on Amazon and was on the verge of picking them up.

However, I'd decided against it in the last minute, as I'd realised that I'd rather keep it subtle.

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Tyres Section. Thanks for sharing!

Voted for "depends on model / tyre size". I love white-lettered tyres on muscular SUVs, but not sedans or hatchbacks (except maybe, some really sporty or limited edition ones). Believe it or not, I used to pay a guy to come paint the tyre letters of my Padmini & Maruti 800 back in the mid-90s. Used to get it done once a month as it would come off easily .

Looks real badass on some SUVs & trucks . Happy to see Indian tyre manufacturers offering them now:

Source

[vigsom]

Voted for the third option - the lettering looks good on some big trucks like the Tundra/ Laramie but on smaller SUVs, it looks too bright.

When I went in for 235/70 R 16 Geolandar AT-S in 2014, I specifically requested the dealer not to get the white lettered ones.

[Tejas@perioimpl]

When you buying tyres, look for the term OWL. That means the tyres have "Outside White Lettering"

The paint on ones vanish after a while, but these won't because the inner layer of rubber is white and the letters are compressed through cut outs in the black outer layer.

Interesting read:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire_lettering

[NPV]

I think the white lettering on the tyres look good on SUV's/Jeeps etc with larger tyres (like the ones used in rallies/off roading, etc. - basically enhances the image of a rugged, go-anywhere kind of vehicle, loved them on GTO's Mahindra Classic!).

These would attract too much (undue) attention on smaller cars like hatchbacks and sedans and I'd be happier without them there (sucker for the subtle, sober, understated elegance with these cars)!

[GTO]

Well, enthusiasts clearly like them! Under 10% of the votes are for "No" .

Originally Posted by Aditya

Manufacturers like Apollo, JK Tyre and Yokohama are selling tyres with white lettering.

I like Apollo's implementation better as the brand name isn't there. "JK" isn't a badge I'd like to flaunt on my SUV. Should just stick to the tyre model's name (as Apollo has done).

[simeonovitch]

I don't think it looks bad on hatchbacks either.

[dhanushs]

Love them!

[arbaz906]

Voted for "Depends on model/tyre size"
Love them on 4X4s, pickup trucks and jeeps, especially when it's done by the manufacturer. Suits really well to such vehicles.
Don't like it on smaller cars. I've seen a few examples on Youtube where cheaper tyres have been Michelin-ized and Pirelli-fied.
Here's an example, skip to 1:45

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeOguduri5k

[bharatbits]

Doesn't matter. Current gen Endy, Fortuner, MU7, Kodiaq all look great out of the factory without white lettering. I prefer things to be subtle and as stock as possible. Quality, Brand and Price matter more to me. But again, that's me.

[naveendagar]

They look mean.....for example have a look on my car (hand painted them and they came out in first 500 kms)

[Sk8r]

Voted yes, I am a big fan of them. As many of you already pointed out it looks good on Utility vehicles and I also believe it looks good on Rugged colour vehicles ( Grey, copper, Black )
I love them and seriously considering it for my SmokeGrey Freestyle. I have two options :

1) Get a particular set of letters painted white on all tyres ( on the lookout for someone who has done it before ). Will use my stepeny as a pilot and check the outcome before painting all of them
2) Wait for a couple of years to get White Letter tyres when I am done with the current ones

Thanks

[UK07Rider]

Pardon me if this is a dumb question to ask, but this got me thinking..was there a purpose for the white lettering when it was first
done on tyres or was it solely for aesthetic appeal from the start?