Load Index & Load Range: What Are They Referring To?
The load index and load range are tire specs that help provide information on how heavy a load the tire can handle. The specs are coded as numbers on the side of the tire, provided by the manufacturer and included in the specs of width, construction, tire type, wheel rating, speed rating, and load index. This information plays an important role when choosing your tires, as you will want tires that fit its designed application. Learning to read these specs is simple and fast, and in this article we will examine the load index and the load range to help clarify how to interpret this information.
The load index indicates the maximum weight the tire can carry. When using the tires, it is vital to not go above the weight indicated, as this will shorten the lifespan of the tire. Additionally, the tire must have the right pressure to handle the max weight, which will be the recommended pressure for that specific model. The load index is written in indices starting at 1; this means it can carry 102 pounds. There are indices up to 150, and at this number, the tire can hold 7,385 pounds. An easy clue as to what the load index will be for a given tire is how tough the tire is. High-load tires are often used in cargo and hauling jobs.
The Load Range is the standard called PLY Rating. This describes the construction of the tire, both the rubber it is made of and the layers of cord within called “plies”. More plies mean more load capacity. Therefore, manufacturers will base the load capacity on how many plies are in a tire. This has changed a bit due to modern developments in tire making that allow tires to have high load capacity with fewer plies. The load range indicates the toughness level of a tire, as well as the PSI. An “E” load range means that the model is equivalent to a tire with 10-ply. There may be fewer plies inside due to modern tire making, but it can carry the same weight. The ranges include B, C, D, E, and F.
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