LT or P: Tire Categories and What They Mean.
There is a lot that goes into tire shopping, we get it. Picking out the right truck tires can be a daunting task. We know that figuring out what tire is right for your truck can create more questions than answers, but to get it right you need to know what sort of tire you are looking for.
To dive right in, the first thing you need to make sure is that the tire you’re looking at is the right kind of tire for your needs. They categorize different tires into LT and P tires to let you know whether they were made for trucks or passenger cars.
Passenger Tires
A P indicates that the tire is engineered for a passenger car and is designed for things like, comfort, gas mileage, road noise reduction, and high-speed performance. That being said, these tires often have more pliable sidewalls and a lower tread profile to cater to these issues which will enhance a car driving experience. While they are designed with these awesome features that you may be looking for, for instance in a family SUV, it may be tempting to put a P tire on. Which may be OK… however if you plan on loading it full of cargo, or passengers it may not be the safest option, as these tires are not designed to bear that much weight.
Some trucks are not designed to ever leave the road, or to ever haul a large load. They can come from the factory with a P rated tire. This can be good if you are looking for a comfortable, quiet ride. However, if you are looking to maximize your truck or SUV’s performance, and LT may be the route you want to go with.
Light Truck Tires
A LT designates it as a light truck category. Many All-Terrain (AT), Mud-Terrain (MT), and highway-terrain (HT) tires are in this category. These tires are designed to haul heavy weight, and for overall durability. These tires are generally designed to have reinforced sidewalls and thicker tread patterns to accommodate the heavier loads, and potential off-road driving. If you drive a heavier vehicle, that is designed to traverse varying terrain, these are often your safest and most secure options. Their heavy-duty design will provide you with the durability and stability you need in almost any situation.
While many trucks and SUVs come from the factory with P rated tires, you don’t always want to assume they are not up for the job. While it is generally understood LT tires are engineered to withstand heavier loads and more complicated terrain, there are P rated that have a ply rating high enough to handle heavier loads. If you have any questions or are unsure about what the tire’s ply rating is, ask the tire retailer you are shopping with.
To Sum It Up
To sum it up for you, there are many considerations you must make when selecting the right tire for you, and this is just a step in the process. Many truck tires are LT rated and it can be generally assumed it is designed to handle heavier loads, however many P rated tires can handle it depending on its ply rating. Passenger tires are great for cars, and small SUV crossovers that are looking to maximize performance and overall comfort.
Knowing more about tires, and how they created to fit your individual needs is your first step to buying the perfect tire for your vehicle.