What Is a Tyre Load Rating and Does It Matter?

When it comes to the safety and efficiency of our vehicles, particularly for those of us who drive vans, SUVs, and pickup trucks, understanding the nitty-gritty of our tyres is crucial. Take a moment to think about the weight your tyres bear on a daily basis, especially when loaded up with goods, equipment, or even your latest DIY project. That’s where the tyre load rating comes into play.

In this article, you’ll find out how to check the load rating on your tyres, as well as information on mixing tyre load ratings and whether this is possible, and if you can use a tyre with a higher load rating should circumstances come to it. If you regularly take on the open road with heavy loads, haul cargo, or simply desire to have an in-depth understanding of your vehicle's capability, read on for more details.

What is the Load Rating on Tyres?

The tyre load rating is a rating given to individual tyres that indicates how much weight they can safely support at maximum air pressure. Represented by a numerical code, this is checked against a tyre load index (or tyre load rating chart) and corresponds to the maximum allowed weight in kilograms.

How to Check the Load Rating on Tyres

To check your vehicle’s tyre load rating, look for a marking on the sidewall of the tyre.. This takes the form of a  long series of numbers and letters on the outward-facing surface of the tyre. The tyre load rating is the last two (or three) numbers just before the tyre speed rating letter.

Check against the tyre load rating chart to find how much each individual tyre can support, then multiply by the number of tyres on the car to find the total tyre load. It should be more than the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

For more detailed information on the various tyre sidemark ratings imprinted on your tyres, check out our guide to every tyre sidewall marking.

What Tyre Load Rating Do I Need?

For the manufacturer’s recommended tyre ratings, find them written on a sticker on the driver’s door frame or in the owner’s manual should you need it. Some vehicles may even have them on a sticker behind the fuel filler cap. You may find that on heavier vehicles such as SUVs, some tyres will be marked as “XL”. Standing for “Extra Load”, this means that the tyre has additional reinforcement to handle the heavier loads of these vehicles.

Can You Mix Tyre Load Ratings?

Mixing tyre load ratings is possible but under certain conditions. For one, the front axle or rear axle must be fitted with identical tyres, right down to the tread pattern and brand.

If you can add up the individual loads of each tyre and it matches or is higher than the recommended tyre load of the vehicle itself, you can drive with mixed tyre load ratings. It is better to fit the higher-rated tyres to the rear axle.

Can I Use a Tyre With a Higher Load Rating?

While it is advised that you should fit tyres that have the load rating and dimensions recommended by the manufacturer, you can fit tyres with a higher load rating and have the same effect on your car. However, this does not change the amount of load your vehicle can handle; the vehicle itself will not be able to handle anything over the tyre load limit, so there is no tangible benefit to going higher. There are also potential downsides to uprating the tyre load rating for your vehicle, with stronger tyres possibly being less fuel efficient and even generating more tyre noise.

Can I Use a Tyre With a Lower Load Rating?

Fitting a vehicle with tyres lower than its recommended load rating is dangerous and prohibited by UK law. If the load rating is not adhered to, there are many ways in which the tyre can fail and lead to damage to your vehicle, you and your passengers. For example, the tyre casing will be overloaded and start to strain, potentially causing a full blowout. In other cases, the edges of the tyre tread may start to bend under the weight of the car and separate from the tyre itself.

If you looking to find new tyres that match or enhance your tyre load rating, LK Performance is a vast emporium for quality replacement tyres from the finest manufacturers in the world. At LK Performance, we are home to a range of sizes that are guaranteed to fit your vehicle no matter how large or nimble it is. It’s all there on our online store for your choosing.

We recognise that it can be time-consuming to search for the exact tyre for your vehicle model, which is why we have made a comprehensive solution. Use our online tyre fitment filter and enter your details found on the tyre sidewall markings, and we’ll filter our store to give you only the tyres that fit your vehicle. From there, you can choose between high-quality tyres from pedigree brands including Pirelli, Firestone, Continental, Michelin and Goodyear. Browse our collection today and get a free tyre fitting at our vehicle maintenance centre.