Different types of Specialized tires
Disscuses how all tires are not created equal and even tires can be made very specifically
Winter tires vs All season tires - A Comparison
This article compares general winter tires to all season tires and lists pros and cons of each
How to decode an alphanumeric tire code
Every vehicle on our roads leaves the factory with a set of tires chosen specifically by the auto manufacturer
Plus sizing tires on your stock car
Popular modification for both hot rodders and the average car enthusiast alike is the installation of aftermarket tires and rims
Racing tires - Applications for the track and the street
Automobile racing is one of the most demanding environments a vehicle will ever face
Retreads - As safe as regular truck tires
what you need to know about tires
Tire Safety Hazards that are out of your hands
Have you ever been traveling down the highway and seen long strips of rubber crowding the shoulder of the road?
Tire Safety Tips - Tread Maintenance
One of the most often neglected variables is tire pressure
Tire Safety Tips - Tire Inflation
Manufacturers often also incorporate a tread wear indicator into the design of their tires
Knowing your tire’s maximum load can save your life
Crucial information you need to read about your tire maximum load
How to choose the best discount tires for your money
Important tips to keep in mind when shopping for discount tires
Selecting the right tires for your car
Factors to consider when shopping for your new tires
Important advantages and disadvantages to consider when shopping for low profile tires
Why you should consider recycling your tires
Knowing your tire’s maximum load can save your life
Most of us never stop to think about the maximum load our tires can support. After all, passenger cars are usually used to transport well…passengers, and any human beings who would cause the vehicle to exceed its maximum load are unlikely to fit through the car doors in the first place.
But (and just like in the example above it’s a big butt) with the large number of light trucks, SUVs, and vans being used as primary transportation today, a tire’s maximum load becomes a much bigger factor.
There will always be at least one, and possibly two, indicators of a tire’s maximum load printed right on the side wall. The first is the Load Index. This is a numerical code ranging from 74 to 111. This number doesn’t tell you much, and sometimes it will be completely absent. Luckily it doesn’t matter. The Load Index is more for tire professionals than for the average person who wants to know if carting around a piano is going to cause a blowout.
The information you want to look for is the Maximum Load. This will usually be right beside the Load Index and will read, for example, MAX. LOAD 875 kg (1929 lb.).
This seems simple enough, right? Too bad this number is actually misleading. If you continue to read along the sidewall, you will find an entry that says something like AT 35 PSI MAX. PRESS.
Problems can arise because this number is very often different than the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended maximum tire pressure. This information can usually be found on the door post or inside the glove box. If in doubt, your vehicle’s manual will have it for sure.
According to tire manufacturers, you should always follow the recommendations of the vehicle’s manufacturer, regardless of whether the tire itself can handle a few more pounds of pressure.
The maximum load carrying capacity of the most tires is rated as either Standard Load or Extra Load. Standard Load tires are limited by the load that can be carried with a maximum inflation pressure of 35 psi. The same goes for Extra Load tires; however, the maximum inflation pressure is 41 psi.
If you’re not sure what type of tire you have, check the sidewall. If you see either ‘XL’, ‘Reinforced’ or, simplest of all ‘Extra Load’ then you have Extra Load tires. Standard Load tires are well…standard. Therefore they do not have any special identification.
Some Standard Load tires are branded with a maximum inflation of 44 psi. This is an indication that the tire is designed to meet special performance requirements. It in no way increases the tire’s maximum load.
No matter what kind of tires you have, a little foresight and common sense can save you from having to buy new tires too soon, or worse, a catastrophic accident. Loading a quarter-ton pick-up truck with half a ton of concrete is simply asking for trouble. Even if the tires can take it, sometimes the vehicle can’t.