Transport Canada Transports Canada  
Safety and Security Sécurité et sûreté 
 
Road Safety  Sécurité routière 
   
Standards and Regulations Division  
 
  
TECHNICAL STANDARDS DOCUMENT 
No. 119, Revision 0 
  
New Tires for Motor  
Vehicles With a GVWR of More Than  
4,536 kg and Motorcycles 
 
 
The text of this document is based on Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 
No. 119, New pneumatic tires for motor vehicles with a GVWR of more 
than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) and motorcycles , as published in 
the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations , Title 49, Part 571, revised as of 
October 1, 2009.  
 
Publication Date:  November 20, 2013 
Effective Date:  November 20, 2013 Mandatory Compliance Date:  May 20, 2014 
     
Motor Vehicle Standards, Research and Development Branch 
Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Regulation Directorate 
TRANSPORT CANADA 
Ottawa, Ontario 
K1A 0N5   
 Technical Standards Document 
Number 119, Revision 0 
New Tires for Motor Vehicles With a GVWR  
of More Than 4 536 kg and Motorcycles 
(Ce document est aussi disponible en français.) 
Introduction 
As defined by section 12 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act , a Technical Standards Document 
(TSD) is a document that reproduces an enactment of a foreign government (e.g. a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard issued by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration).  According to the Act, the Motor Vehicle Tire Safety Regulations  may alter 
or override some provisions contained in a TSD or specify additional requirements; 
consequently, it is advisable to read a TSD in conjunction with the Act and the Motor 
Vehicle Tire Safety Regulations .  As a guide, where the corresponding Regulation contains 
additional requirements, footnotes indicate the amending subsection number.  TSDs are revised from time to time in order to incorporate amendments made to the reference document, at which time a Notice of Revision is published in the Canada Gazette , 
Part I.  All TSDs are assigned a revision number, with “Revision 0” designating the original version. 
 
Identification of Changes 
In order to facilitate the incorporation of a TSD, certain non-technical changes may be made 
to the foreign enactment.  These may include the deletion of words, phrases, figures, or sections that do not apply under the Act or Regulations, the conversion of imperial to metric units, the deletion of superseded dates, and minor changes of an editorial nature.  Additions are underlined
, and provisions that do not apply are stroked through .  Where an entire section 
has been deleted, it is replaced by: “[CONTENT DELETED]”.  Changes are also made where there is a reporting requirement or reference in the foreign enactment that does not apply in Canada.  For example, the name and address of the United States Department of Transportation are replaced by those of the Department of Transport.  
Effective Date and Mandatory Compliance Date 
The effective date of a TSD is the date of publi cation of its incorporating regulation or of the 
notice of revision in the Canada Gazette , and the date as of which voluntary compliance is 
permitted.  The mandatory compliance date is the date upon which compliance with the requirements of the TSD is obligatory.  If the effective date and mandatory compliance date are different, manufacturers may follow the requirements that were in force before the effective date, or those of the TSD, until the mandatory compliance date.  In the case of an initial TSD, or when a TSD is revised and incorporated by reference by an amendment to the Regulations, the mandatory compliance date is as specified in the Regulations, and it may be the same as the effective date.  When a TSD is revised with no New Tires for Motor Vehicles  
With a GVWR of More Than 4,536 kg and Motorcycles TSD No. 119, Revision 0  
Effective: November 20, 2013  ii corresponding changes to the incorporating Regulations, the mandatory compliance date is 
six months after the effective date. 
Official Version of Technical Standards Documents 
The PDF version is a replica of the TSD as published by the Department and is to be used for 
the purposes of legal interpretation and application.   
 
 
(Original signed by) 
  
Director, Motor Vehicle Standards, 
 Research and Development 
 for the Minister of Transport, 
 Ottawa, Ontario 
 New Tires for Motor Vehicles  
With a GVWR of More Than 4,536 kg and Motorcycles TSD No. 119, Revision 0  
Effective: November 20, 2013  iii TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
Technical Standards Document 
Number 119, Revision 0 
 
NEW TIRES FOR MOTOR  
VEHICLES WITH A GVWR OF MORE THAN  
4 536 KG AND MOTORCYCLES 
 
Introduction _______________________________________________________________ i  
S1.  Scope _________________________________________________________________1  
S2.  Purpose _______________________________________________________________1  
S3.  Application ____________________________________________________________1  
S4.  Definitions _____________________________________________________________1  
S5.  Tire and rim matching information _________________________________________2  
S6.  Requirements __________________________________________________________2  
S6.1  E ndurance _________________________________________________________________ 2  
S6.2  St rength ___________________________________________________________________ 2  
S6.3  High speed  performa nce ______________________________________________________ 3  
S6.4  Treadwea r indica tors ________________________________________________________ 3  
S6.5  Tire ma rkings ______________________________________________________________ 3  
S6.6  Maximum load rating ________________________________________________________ 4  
S7.  Test procedures _________________________________________________________4  
S7.1  General conditions __________________________________________________________ 4  
S7.2  E ndurance _________________________________________________________________ 5  
S7.3  St rength ___________________________________________________________________ 5  
S7.4  High speed  performa nce ______________________________________________________ 6  
 
 
List of Tables 
 
Table I — Strength Test  Plunger Di ameter ___________________________________________ 7  
Table II — Minimum Static Breaking Energy (Part 1)  _________________________________ 7  
Table II — Minimum Static Breaking Energy (Part 2)  _________________________________ 8  
Table III — Endurance Test Sche dule _______________________________________________ 9   
 Technical Standards Document 
Number 119, Revision 0 
NEW TIRES FOR MOTOR  
VEHICLES WITH A GVWR OF MORE THAN  
4 536 KG AND MOTORCYCLES 
The text of this document is based on Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 
No. 119, New pneumatic tires for motor vehicles with a GVWR of more than 
4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) and motorcycles , as published in the U.S. 
Code of Federal Regulations , Title 49, Part 571, revised as of 
October 1, 2009.  
S1.  Scope 
This Technical Standards Document (TSD)  standard  establishes performance and marking 
requirements for tires for use on motor vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4 536 kg  
(10 000 pounds) and motorcycles. 
S2.  Purpose 
The purpose of this TSD  standard  is to provide safe operational performance levels for tires 
used on motor vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4 536 kg  (10 000 pounds), trailers, and 
motorcycles, and to place sufficient information on the tires to permit their proper selection and use. 
S3.  Application 
[CONTENT DELETED]  For applicability, see subsection 4(1) of the Motor Vehicle Tire 
Safety Regulations . 
S4.  Definitions 
All terms defined in the Motor Vehicle Tire Safety Regulations (MVTSR) and in TSD 109 
and TSD 139  Act and the rules and standards issued under its authority  are used as defined 
therein.1 
2 Light-truck tire  Light truck tire  means a tire designated by its manufacturer as primarily 
intended for use on lightweight trucks or multipurpose passenger vehicles.   (Pneu pour 
camion léger)  
                                                 
1 Please see subsection 1(3) of the Motor Vehicle Tire Safety Regulations  (MVTSR) for the applicable 
requirements.  
2 Please see subsection 2(1) of the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations  for the applicable definition.  New Tires for Motor Vehicles  
With a GVWR of More Than 4 536 kg and Motorcycles TSD No. 119, Revision 0  
Effective: November 20, 2013  2 Model rim assembly  means a test device that  
(a) includes a rim which conforms to the published dimensions of a commercially 
available rim, 
(b) includes an air valve assembly when used for testing tubeless tires or an innertube and 
flap (as required) when used for testing tube type tires, and 
(c) undergoes no permanent rim deformation and allows no loss of air through the portion 
that it comprises of the tire-rim pressure chamber when a tire is properly mounted on the assembly and subjected to the requirements of this TSD
 standard . 
(Ensemble de jante modèle)  
S5.  Tire and rim matching information 
[CONTENT DELETED]  Please see section 8 of the MVTSR for the applicable 
requirements.   
S6.  Requirements 
Each tire shall be capable of meeting any of the applicable requirements set forth below, 
when mounted on a model rim assembly corresponding to any rim designated by the tire manufacturer for use with the tire in accordance with section 8 of the MVTSR
 S5. However, 
a particular tire need not meet further requirements after having been subjected to and met the endurance test (S6.1), strength test (S6.2), or high speed performance test (S6.3). 
S6.1  Endurance 
S6.1.1   Prior to testing in accordance with the procedures of S7.2, a tire shall exhibit no 
visual evidence of tread, sidewall, ply, cord, innerliner, or bead separation, chunking, broken 
cords, cracking, or open splices. 
S6.1.2   When tested in accordance with the procedures of S7.2: 
(a) There shall be no visual evidence of tread, sidewall, ply, cord, innerliner, or bead 
separation, chunking, broken cords, cracking, or open splices. 
(b) The tire pressure at the end of the test shall be not less than the initial pressure 
specified in S7.2(a). 
S6.2  Strength 
When tested in accordance with the procedures of S7.3, a tire’s average breaking energy 
value shall be not less than the value specified in Table II for that tire’s size and load range. New Tires for Motor Vehicles  
With a GVWR of More Than 4 536 kg and Motorcycles TSD No. 119, Revision 0  
Effective: November 20, 2013  3 S6.3  High speed performance 
When tested in accordance with the procedures of S7.4  S7.3 , a tire shall meet the 
requirements set forth in S6.1.1 and S6.1.2(a) and (b). However, this requirement applies only to motorcycle tires and to non-speed-restricted tires of nominal rim diameter code 14.5 or less marked load range A, B, C, or D. 
S6.4  Treadwear indicators 
Except as specified in this paragraph, each tire shall have at least six treadwear indicators 
spaced approximately equally around the circumference of the tire that enable a person inspecting the tire to determine visually whether the tire has worn to a tread depth of 1.6 mm (one-sixteenth of an inch). Tires with a rim diameter code of 12 or smaller shall have at least three such treadwear indicators. Motorcycle tires shall have at least three such indicators which permit visual determination that the tire has worn to a tread depth of 0.8 mm (one-thirty-second of an inch). 
S6.5  Tire markings 
Except as specified in this paragraph, each tire shall be marked on each sidewall with the 
information specified in paragraphs (a) through (j) of this section. The markings shall be placed between the maximum section width (exclusive of sidewall decorations or curb ribs) and the bead on at least one sidewall, unless the maximum section width of the tire is located in an area which is not more than one-fourth of the distance from the bead to the shoulder of the tire. If the maximum section width falls within that area, the markings shall appear between the bead and a point one-half the distance from the bead to the shoulder of the tire, on at least one sidewall. The markings shall be in letters and numerals not less than 2 mm (0.078 inch) high and raised above or sunk below the tire surface not less that 0.4 mm (0.015 inch), except that the marking depth shall be not less than 0.25 mm (0.010 inch) in the case of motorcycle tires. The tire identification and the national safety mark
 DOT symbol 
labeling shall comply with sections 6 and 7 of the MVTSR  part 574 of this chapter . Markings 
may appear on only one sidewall and the entire sidewall area may be used in the case of motorcycle tires and recreational, boat, baggage, and special trailer tires. 
(a)
 The symbol DOT, which shall constitute a certification that the tire conforms to 
applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards. This symbol may be marked on 
only one sidewall.  3 
(b) The tire identification number required by section 6 of the MVTSR  part 574 of this 
chapter . This number may be marked on only one sidewall. 
(c) The tire size designation as listed in the documents and publications designated 
in section 8 of the MVTSR  S5.1 . 
(d) The maximum load rating and corresponding inflation pressure of the tire, shown as 
follows: 
                                                 
3 Please see section 7 of the MVTSR for the applicable requirements.  New Tires for Motor Vehicles  
With a GVWR of More Than 4 536 kg and Motorcycles TSD No. 119, Revision 0  
Effective: November 20, 2013  4 (Mark on tires rated for single and dual load): 
 
Max load single ___ kg (___ lb) at ___ kPa (___ psi) cold. Max load dual ___ kg (___ lb) at ___ kPa (___ psi) cold. 
(Mark on tires rated only for single load): 
 
Max load ___ kg (___ lb) at ___ kPa (___ psi) cold. 
(e) The speed restriction of the tire, if 90 km/h (55 mph) or less, shown as follows: 
Max speed ___ km/h (___ mph). 
(f) The actual number of plies and the composition of the ply cord material in the 
sidewall and, if different, in the tread area; 
(g) The words “tubeless” or “tube type” as applicable. (h) The word “regroovable” if the tire is designed for regrooving. (i) The word “radial” if a radial ply
 tire. 
(j) The letter designating the tire load range. 
S6.6  Maximum load rating 
If the maximum load rating for a particular tire size is shown in one or more of the 
publications described in subsection 8(2) of the MVTSR  S5.1(b) , each tire of that size 
designation shall have a maximum load rating that is not less than the published maximum load rating, or if there are differing published ratings for the same tire size designation, not less than the lowest published maximum load rating for the size designation. 
S7.  Test procedures 
S7.1  General conditions S7.1.1   The tests are performed using an appropriate  new tube, tube valve, and flap assembly 
(as required) that allows no loss of air for testing of tube-type tires under S7.2, S7.3, and S7.4, and tubeless tires under S7.3. 
S7.1.2   The tire must be capable of meeting the requirements of S7.2 and S7.4 when 
conditioned to a temperature of 35°C (95°F) for 3 hours before the test is conducted, and with an ambient temperature maintained at 35°C (95°F) during all phases of testing. The tire must be capable of meeting the requirements of S7.3 when conditioned at a temperature of 21°C (70°F) for 3 hours before the test is conducted. New Tires for Motor Vehicles  
With a GVWR of More Than 4 536 kg and Motorcycles TSD No. 119, Revision 0  
Effective: November 20, 2013  5 S7.2  Endurance 
(a) Mount the tire on a model rim assembly and inflate it to the inflation pressure 
corresponding to the maximum load rating marked on the tire. Use a single maximum load value when the tire is marked with both single and dual maximum load. 
(b) After conditioning the tire-rim assembly in accordance with S7.1.2, adjust the tire 
pressure to that specified in (a) immediately before mounting the tire-rim assembly. 
(c) Mount the tire-rim assembly on an axle and press it against a flat-faced steel test 
wheel that is 1 708 mm (67.23 inches) in diameter and at least as wide as the tread of the tire. 
(d) Apply the test load and rotate the test wheel as indicated in Table III for the type of 
tire tested conducting each successive phase of the test without interruption. 
(e) Immediately after running the tire the required time, measure the tire inflation 
pressure. Remove the tire from the model rim assembly and inspect the tire. 
S7.3  Strength 
(a) Mount the tire on a model rim assembly and inflate it to the pressure corresponding to 
the maximum load, or maximum dual load where there is both a single and dual load marked on the tire. If the tire is tubeless, a tube may be inserted to prevent loss of air during the test in the event of puncture. 
(b) After conditioning the tire-rim assembly in accordance with S7.1.2, adjust the tire 
pressure to that specified in (a). 
(c) Force a cylindrical steel plunger, with a hemispherical end and of the diameter 
specified in Table I for the tire type and
 size, perpendicularly into a raised tread 
element as near as possible to the centerline of the tread, at a rate of 50 mm (2 inches) per minute, until the tire breaks or the plunger is stopped by the rim. 
(d) Record the force and the distance of penetration just before the tire breaks, or if it fails 
to break, just before the plunger is stopped by the rim. 
(e) Repeat the plunger application at 72° intervals around the circumference of the tire, 
until five measurements are made. However, in the case of tires of 12 inch rim diameter code or smaller, repeat the plunger application at 120° intervals around the circumference of the tire, until three measurements are made. 
(f) Compute the breaking energy for each test point by one of the two following formulas: 
3102−××=PFW   
Where: 
W = Breaking energy in joules (J)  (kJ),  
F = Force in newtons (N), and P = Penetration in millimeters (mm), or; New Tires for Motor Vehicles  
With a GVWR of More Than 4 536 kg and Motorcycles TSD No. 119, Revision 0  
Effective: November 20, 2013  6 2PFW×=  
Where: 
W = Breaking energy in inch-pounds, 
F = Force in pounds, and  
P = Penetration in inches. 
(g) Determine the average breaking energy value for the tire by computing the average of 
the values obtained in accordance with paragraph (f). 
S7.4  High speed performance 
(a) Perform steps (a) through (c) of S7.2. 
(b) Apply a force of 88 percent of the maximu m load rating marked on the tire (use single 
maximum load value when the tire is marked with both single and dual maximum loads), and rotate the test wheel at 250 rpm for 2 hours. 
(c) Remove the load, allow the tire to cool to 35°C (95°F), and then adjust the pressure to 
that marked on the tire for single tire use. 
(d) Reapply the same load, and without inte rruption or readjustment of the inflation 
pressure, rotate the test wheel at 375 rpm for 30 minutes, then at 400 rpm for 30 minutes, and then at 425 rpm for 30 minutes. 
(e) Immediately after running the tire the required time, measure the tire inflation 
pressure. Remove the tire from the model rim assembly and inspect the tire. 
 New Tires for Motor Vehicles  
With a GVWR of More Than 4 536 kg and Motorcycles TSD No. 119, Revision 0  
Effective: November 20, 2013  7  
Table I — Strength Test Plunger Diameter 
Tire type Plunger diameter 
  mm inches 
Light-truck  Light truck  19.05 ¾ 
Motorcycle 7.94 5/16 
≤ 12 rim diameter code (except motorcycles) 19.05 ¾ 
Tubeless:   
≤ 17.5 rim diameter code  19.05 ¾ 
> 17.5 rim diameter code, load range F or less 31.75 1¼ 
> 17.5 rim diameter code, load range over F 38.10 1½ 
Tube-type:     
Load range F or less 31.75 1¼ 
Load range over F 38.10 1½ 
 
 
Table II — Minimum Static Breaking Energy (Part 1 of 2)  
[Joules (J) and inch-pounds (in-lb)]  
Tire 
characteristic Motorcycle All 12 Rim 
diameter code or 
smaller except 
motorcycle Light-truck  Light 
truck and 17.5 rim 
diameter code or 
smaller tubeless 
Plunger 
diameter 7.94 mm 5/16 in 19.05 mm ¾ in 19.05 mm ¾ in 
Breaking 
Energy J in-lb J in-lb J in-lb 
Load Range :  
     A 16 150 67 600 225 2 000 
B 33 300 135 1 200 293 2 600 
C 45 400 203 1 800 361 3 200 
D     271 2 400 514 4 550 
E     338 3 000 576 5 100 
F     406 3 600 644 5 700 
G         711 6 300 
H         768 6 800 
J             
L             
M             
N             
Note: For rayon cord tires, applicable energy  values are 60 percent of those in the table.  
Measurements in joules are rounded down to the nearest whole number.New Tires for Motor Vehicles  
With a GVWR of More Than 4 536 kg and Motorcycles TSD No. 119, Revision 0  
Effective: November 20, 2013  8  
   
Table II — Minimum Static Breaking Energy (Part 2 of 2)  
[Joules (J) and inch-pounds (in-lb)]  
  Tires other than for light truck, motorcy cle, 12 rim diameter code or smaller 
Tire 
characteristic Tube type Tubeless greater 
than 17.5 rim 
diameter code Tube type  Tubeless greater 
than 17.5 rim 
diameter code 
Plunger 
diameter 31.75 mm 1¼ in 31.75 mm 1¼ in 38.10 mm 1½ in 38.10 m m 1½ in 
Breaking 
Energy J in-lb J in-lb J in-lb J in-lb 
Load Range:   
    A                 
B                 
C 768 6 800 576 5 100         
D 892 7 900 734 6 500         
E 1 412 12 500 971 8 600         
F 1 785 15 800 1 412 12 500         
G     2 282 20 200 1 694 15 000 
H     2 598 23 000 2 090 18 500 
J         2 824 25 000 2 203 19 500 
L         3 050 27 000     
M         3 220 28 500     
N         3 389 30 000     
Note: For rayon cord tires, applicable energy  values are 60 percent of those in the table.  
Measurements in joules are rounded down to the nearest whole number.  
 
 New Tires for Motor Vehicles  
With a GVWR of More Than 4 536 kg and Motorcycles TSD No. 119, Revision 0  
Effective: November 20, 2013  9  
   
Table III — Endurance Test Schedule 4 
Description  Load range  Test wheel 
speed  Test load: Percent of maximum 
load rating  Total test 
revolutions 
(thousands)
km/h r/m I-
7 hours  II- 
16 hours  III- 
24 hours  
Speed restricted 
service:  
90 km/h (55  mph)   
 F, G, H, J, L, 
M, N   
40  
125  
66  
84  
101  
352.0  
80 km/h (50  mph)  F, G, H, J, L  32  100  66  84  101  282.5  
56 km/h (35  mph)  All 24  75  66  84  101  211.0  
Motorcycle  All 80  250  1001 1082 117  510.0  
All Other  F 64  200  66  84  101  564.0  
  G  56  175  66  84  101  493.5  
  H, J, L, N  48  150  66  84  101  423.5  
1 4 hours for tire sizes subject to high speed requirements (S6.3).  
2 6 hours for tire sizes subject to high speed requirements (S6.3).  
   
                                                
 
4 Please see the table to subsection 4(2) of  the MVTSR for the applicable requirements.