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Author
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Topic: what does weight designation mean?
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Zartur
unregistered
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posted December 21, 2000 10:27 PM
 
Hi All !What is the weight designator on the tire?
Does it specify max weight allowed for one tire? Thanks
Artur
IP: Logged |
treadwheeler
Member
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posted December 22, 2000 04:48 AM
 
Yes, the stamping on the sidewall is the max load that single tire can support and is at the max inflation pressure for the tire. Depending on the tire. Today there are generally a few possiblities for passener tires, 32psi, 35psi, 44psi & 51psi. This will also be stamped on the side wall. It is generally different than the recomended inflation pressure for a specific vehicle, which can be found in a couple of areas on the vehicle itself. Door jam, glove box or owners manual. You will need a load - inflation guide to check the tires load capacity at the recomended inflation pressure for the vehicle.IP: Logged |
laqn
unregistered
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posted December 23, 2000 12:42 PM
So does this mean that you can get a tire with a load rating of a couple of notches above that of your OEM-tire rating and get by with a lower pressure for a softer ride?IP: Logged |
treadwheeler
Member
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posted December 24, 2000 07:14 AM
In theory yes.
Adjustments in air presure can accomplish many things. As long as you remain aware of the relationship of air pressure to load capacity you can adjust as follows.
Adjust in 2psi increments. If there is a front to rear or rear to front bias recomended by the vehicle manufacturer keep that same bias.( e.g. 28F / 32R )
Adjustments in air presure up or down generally have both positive & negative results, depending on what you are tring to accomplish you should keep both in mind.
Air pressure decrease -
softer ride
worse fuel mileage
less precise handling
outside or shoulder tire wear
decreased load capacity
Air pressure increase -
firmer ride
better fuel mileage
better handling / more responsive
center tire wear
increased load capacity
These are the generalized basic results of increases or decreases in air pressure from factory recomendations. The causes are bit more detailed in explaination. Some are "stand alone" , and some are like the domino effect where one cause impacts another. So if you purchase tires with a greater load rating than your OE or than what is needed you have covered the load capacity issue, though all other results remain the same.
hope it helps.
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