Before you buy a set of tyres, you have to ensure they are the right fit for your car or SUV. While typically this concern is about the size of the tyres, it applies to the amount of load you carry and the speed at which you run them. In this article, we will primarily focus on the load-carrying aspect of your tyres.
What does load index mean?
When you are taking a road trip or moving cities, you have a lot of things to carry. The general idea is you will fit as much of it you physically can in the boot of the car, no matter how much the weight, and drive off. But this is not the best choice for your Continental Car Tyres Nottingham, which are made for carrying only a certain amount of load. That maximum weight each of your tyres can bear is known as the load capacity or load index.
How can you find the load index of your tyres?
In general, the load index is given as a two or three-digit figure. The load capacity itself is not mentioned directly. Instead, the number is representative. You can find this information in the sidewall label of your tyres, which looks something like this – R 16 87 V. While the letter ‘R’ and the number ’16’ are indicators of the construction and size of the tyre, the number right after, ’87’ is the load index. The letter which follows ‘V’ is the speed index. That means the load index is written right before the speed one in the penultimate position. For this specific tyre, the load index is 87, which means the maximum allowed weight is 545 kilograms. The typical range of load indices is between 62 to 126. In terms of weight, the span becomes 265 to 1700 kilograms.
Why should you keep the vehicle load below the load index of your tyres?
The load index is fixed by the tyre manufacturer for a reason. Going beyond this limit is not only dangerous but also punishable by law. Besides, driving a car or SUV with a larger load than permitted tends to strain its tyres. Thus, they wear out quickly, needing a replacement much earlier than their expected expiry date. That problem only gains more severity when you go at high speeds through rough road conditions. So, if you want to prevent damage, staying within the load limit is crucial.
What is the role of tyre pressure in the load index of your tyres?
The load-carrying capacity of your tyres is not an inherent property. Instead, it depends on the inflation pressure of your tyres. The pneumatic pressure on it plays a crucial role in the traction, wear rate, durability, etc. It impacts the load index too, and the relation between the two is proportional. That means if the tyre pressure elevates, the load capacity increases and vice versa.
In fact, an increase of 0.1 bar in the tyre pressure ups the load index by one. However, this increment does not warrant you putting extra weight in your car or SUV. That is because it can lead to other problems, impacting vehicle behaviour. In general, the load index of a tyre is measured at a pressure of 2.5 bar. But most vehicle owners do not maintain their tyre pressure at this value. Most motorists fail to measure the pressure regularly, often resulting in underinflation and car service Nottingham.
How does season change affect the load index of your tyres?
Apart from tyre pressure, another factor has a significant impact on the load-carrying capacity of your tyres. That is the climatic conditions. Depending on the season, drivers can use summer and winter tyres. While there is no inherent difference in regards to the load index between the two, some indirect variations do creep in. That is because based on the season, the tread depth and radius may differ. For instance, in the cold, Tyres Awsworth has trouble moving through the snow and ice. To avoid the risk of hydroplaning and loss of control, drivers should not put extra stress on their tyres. So, carrying less load during this time is recommende. That way, the rides can become safe, smooth, and enjoyable.