How to Compare Tire Load Ratings
Choosing the correct load rating of a tire can be very confusing. There are many things to consider when selecting a load rating: maximum inflation (pounds per square inch/PSI), payload and vehicle type.
Other People Are Reading
-
Load Range
-
Every vehicle is rated for a specific PSI (tire inflation), which directly affects the payload rating of your vehicle. The load range determines at what pressure the tire carries its maximum load. These ratings are: standard load (35 psi), extra load (42 psi), B (35 psi), C (50 psi), D (65 psi), E (80 psi) and F (95 psi)
Load Index
-
Load index is a 2 or 3 digit code that identifies the maximum carrying capacity of the tire. See reference number 1 for a list of codes.
-
Calculation
-
Picking the correct tire is a simple calculation. Using a 2003 Chevy Silverado as an example with curb weight of 4,828 pounds, payload capacity of 1,572 pounds; combine the two and you get the gross vehicle weight (GVW)--total weight that the vehicle is safely operated, of 6,400 pounds. To calculate the tire rating needed, divide the GVW by the number of tires on the vehicle; 6,400 divided by 4 equals 1,600 pounds per tire. This calculation means you would need a minimum of a 96 load index.
Selection
-
All that is left is to select a tire that both meets the load index you calculated and the load range that the vehicle requires. The example truck requires 80 psi so the selection must be narrowed to a load range E combined with a minimum 96 load index.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit tires. wheels. image by Cristian Ilie Ionescu from Fotolia.com
