Selecting the Correct Tire Type / Load Range
Consult the service manual for additional information.
Passenger Car Tires:
There are two types of tires used on passenger cars today, P-Metric and Euro-Metric. The description of a P-Metric tire will start off
with the letter (P). Example: P235/55R17. The description of a Euro-Metric tire does not use this form of identification. Example 235/55R17.
- P-Metric (Standard Load) - These tires may have "Standard Load" printed on the side wall; however, this will typically not be the case as they are the more common of the P-Metric tires. Example: P235/55R17
- P-Metric (Extra Load) - These tires may have "Extra Load" printed on the side wall or XL in the tire description. Example: P235/55R17 XL.
- Euro-Metric (Standard Load) - These tires may have "Standard Load" printed on the side wall; however, this will typically not be the case as they are the more common of the Euro-Metric tire. Example: 235/55/R17
- Euro-Metric (Reinforced / Extra Load) - These tires have "Reinforced" or "Extra Load" printed on the side wall; however,
they are more likely to have RF or XL in the tire description. Example: 235/55R17 XL or 235/55/R17 RF.
Light Duty Truck Tires:
There are basically two types of tires used on light duty trucks, LT-Metric and ST-Metric. The description of a LT-Metric tire will start off
with the letters (LT). Example: LT235/55R17. The description of a ST-Metric tire will start off with the letters (ST). Example:
ST235/55R17. In addition to these two tire types, light duty trucks may also be equipped with passenger car tires as listed above.
- Load Range C - These are 8 ply tires which can be identified by the Load Range C or LRC branding on the tires side wall. Examples: LT235/55R-17C or
31x10.50R-15C or ST205/75R15 LRC or Load Range C.
- Load Range D - These are 8 ply tires which can be identified by the Load Range D or LRD branding on the tires side wall. Examples: LT235/55R-17D or
31x10.50R-15D or ST205/75R15 LRD or Load Range D.
- Load Range E - These are 10 ply tires which can be identified by the Load Range E or LRE branding on the tires side wall. Examples: LT235/55R-17E or
31x10.50R-15E or ST205/75R15 LRE or Load Range E