What Is Tire Load Index?

Tires have a load index that shows how much weight they can carry at a specific tire pressure. This rating is located on the tire’s side and is essential to consider when selecting tires for your vehicle. 

The load index is typically a two or three-digit number ranging from 71 to 126, indicating the maximum weight that a tire can carry safely. The higher the load index number, the more weight the tire can handle. 

Why Is Tire Load Index Important?

Going over the load index could cause more wear and tear, loss of traction, reduced fuel economy, and even tire failure. Choosing the right tires with the proper load index ensures that they can handle the weight of your vehicle, passengers, and cargo, while avoiding any possible tire damage or failure. 

Therefore, it’s vital to consider the load index when selecting the appropriate tires for your vehicle to ensure safety and durability of your tires.

How To Use The Tire Load Index Chart

You should refer to the tire load index to confirm the amount of weight your tire can support safely.

For instance, if your tire has a load index of 92, it can handle up to 1,389 pounds when inflated to the maximum pressure.

To calculate your car’s total load-carrying capacity, you’ll need to multiply that number by four (4 x 1,389 = 5,556 pounds). 

You should never install tires with a lower load-carrying capacity than the ones originally fitted on your vehicle by the manufacturer to ensure safety and optimal performance.

Tire Load Index Chart

Load Index and Carrying Capacity
Load IndexCarrying Capacity (lbs)Load IndexCarrying Capacity (lbs)Load IndexCarrying Capacity (lbs)
099504191001764
1102514301011819
2105524411021874
3107534541031929
4110544671041984
5114554811052039
6117564941062094
7120575071072149
8123585201082205
9128595361092271
10132605511102337
11136615671112403
12139625841122469
13143636001132535
14148646171142601
15152656391152679
16157666391162756
17161676771172833
18165686941182910
19171697161192998
20176707391203086
21182717611213197
22187727831223307
23193738051233417
24198748271243527
25204758521253638
26209768821263748
27215779081273858
28220789371283968
29227799631294079
30234809921304189
312408110191314289
322478210471324409
332548310741334541
342608411021344674
352678511351354806
362768611681364938
372828712011375071
382918812351385203
393008912791395357
403099013231405512
413209113561415677
423319213891425842
433429314331436008
443539414771446173
453649515211456393
463759615651466614
473869716091476779
483979816531486844
494089917091497165
1507385

Considering Load Index When Tire Shopping

When buying new tires for your vehicle, the tire load index is incredibly important to consider. To ensure you’re selecting the right tires, it’s crucial to pick ones that can support your car’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), which you can easily find in the owner’s manual. 

To check if a tire set is compatible with your car, use the tire load index chart to see how many pounds each tire can carry. Remember to multiply that number by four since your vehicle has four tires. As long as the total weight capacity is greater than your car’s GVWR, those tires should fit the bill just fine.

Similar Posts