Load and speed index of truck tyres

The load index is mentioned on the side of the tyre and is always mentioned together with the speed index. It is important that you ask yourself whether you are using the right truck tyre for the weight and choose the right air pressure.
Load and speed index of truck tyres

Where can I find the load index?

The load index indicates how much weight the tyre is able to cope with (at the correct tyre pressure). The accompanying code can be found on the side of the tyre. Never exceed the load index mentioned on the tyre! The load index is used together with the speed index, which indicates the maximum speed at which you can drive with a tyre.

Tyre pressure and tyre load capacity

A tyre's maximum load capacity only applies if the tyre also has an appropriate tyre pressure. Regularly checking tyre pressure has several positive effects:

  • the truck/trailer can be loaded to the maximum limit;
  • the tyre will have a longer life-span;
  • there will be a positive impact on fuel economy; 
  • improved safety is guaranteed; and
  • saving of costs.

Load index at least equal to the original

When changing truck tyres, it is important for the load index of the new tyre to be the same as that of the original tyre. A higher load index isn't a problem, but a lower load index should never be selected. Tyres will only be safe if this basic principle is complied with. If tyres with an identical load index are mounted on a single axle, the required minimum load index applies to each tyre on the axle. If a tyre on one side has a high load index, this will in no way compensate for a tyre on the other side of the same axle, which has an insufficient load index.

Loadindex of tyres

LI KG LI KG LI KG LI KG
115 1215 131 1950 147 3075 163 4875
116 1250 132 2000 148 3150 164 5000
117 1285 133 2060 149 3250 165 5150
118 1320 134 2120 150 3350 166 5300
119 1360 135 2180 151 3450 167 5450
120 1400 136 2240 152 3550 168 5600
121 1450 137 2300 153 3650 169 5800
122 1500 138 2360 154 3750 170 6000
123 1550 139 2430 155 3875 171 6150
124 1600 140 2500 156 4000 172 6300
125 1650 141 2575 157 4125 173 6500
126 1700 142 2650 158 4250 174 6700
127 1750 143 2725 159 4375 175 6900
128 1800 144 2800 160 4500 176 7100
129 1850 145 2900 161 4625 177 7300
130 1900 146 3000 162 4750    

Speed index of truck tyres

The speed index is a code which indicates the maximum speed at which the tyre can be used and is always mentioned together with the load index. This code is also issued for off-road vehicles and vehicles which are rarely used on the road.

The speed index was initially introduced to match the tyres resistance with the (increasing) speed of the vehicle and is based on lab testing carried out by manufacturers. Each speed range has a specific letter (or letter/number combination for the lowest categories). During testing, tyres are pressed against a large, revolving metal drum and the speed of the drum is increased until the speed required for the tyre in question.

The indicated speed index only applies to tyres which are not:

  • damaged;
  • out-dated;
  • overloaded;
  • subject to insufficient pressure; or 
  • repaired truck tyres.

Speedindex of truck tyres

Snelheids symbool Maximum snelheid (km/u) Snelheids symbool Maximum snelheid (km/u) Snelheids symbool Maximum snelheid (km/u)
A1 5 D 65 Q 160
A2 10 E 70 R 170
A3 15 F 80 S 180
A4 20 G 90 T 190
A5 25 J 100 U 200
A6 30 K 110 H 210
A7 35 L 120 V 240
A8 40 M 130 ZR >240
B 50 N 140 W 270
C 60 P 150 Y 300

Would you like to know more?

Do you need advice? Please contact us, our experts will be pleased to assist you. Contact our experts at +31 (0)523 - 850 850 or by e-mail to info@heuver.com. You can also read all about trucks on the truck knowledge-page.