School me on load index rating.

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02-09-2007, 07:08 PM

Kevin

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School me on load index rating.

What are the consequences of getting a tire with a lower load index rating then OEM? Is it simply handling dynamics of the vehicle ? Or does it present a danguerous situation ? thoughts comments ?

02-10-2007, 03:36 AM

SilverGLE

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It could be a dangerous situation... From something I read before, if the tire isn't designed to handle the load of the vehicle, any of a number of negative consequences could occur, from the tire developing hairline cracks/splits to complete failure (blowout). I'll see if I can dig up the link...

Edit: Load/Speed rating on TireRack

06-01-2013, 12:07 PM

ugufru

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Bump

I'd like to bump this topic. Now that it's 2013, I'm finding that original sized summer tires for my 1995 SE are just about impossible to find. I'm racing autocross in Stock class so changing RIM size (15") is not an option. Stock size rims are 15x6.5" and the original tires are 215/60R15 with a load index of 94.

So considering that the "best fit" tires I can locate are 205/50R15 and 225/45R15, these are significantly smaller tires with a load index of 86 and 87 respectively.

94 = 1477 lbs
87 = 1201 lbs
86 = 1168 lbs

Curb weight is 2870 lbs. Although 86 seems to be sufficient to support the weight of the car and the extra loads it might encounter, is this enough for autocross? Is anyone racing their Maxima using a Street Tire Index in the stock class? Should I be concerned about options with a lower load rating, or should I give up on Stock classification and increase my wheel size?

Experienced opinions please? -pc

04-28-2014, 09:13 AM

ugufru

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ugufru

I'd like to bump this topic. Now that it's 2013, I'm finding that original sized summer tires for my 1995 SE are just about impossible to find. I'm racing autocross in Stock class so changing RIM size (15") is not an option. Stock size rims are 15x6.5" and the original tires are 215/60R15 with a load index of 94. So considering that the "best fit" tires I can locate are 205/50R15 and 225/45R15, these are significantly smaller tires with a load index of 86 and 87 respectively. 94 = 1477 lbs 87 = 1201 lbs 86 = 1168 lbs Curb weight is 2870 lbs. Although 86 seems to be sufficient to support the weight of the car and the extra loads it might encounter, is this enough for autocross? Is anyone racing their Maxima using a Street Tire Index in the stock class? Should I be concerned about options with a lower load rating, or should I give up on Stock classification and increase my wheel size? Experienced opinions please? -pc

UPDATE: The 205/50R15s were awesome for autocross in 2013, but I ended up having to pump them up to about 48 pounds to keep them from rolling over on heavy breaking. They are still a good bet for anyone who wants to autocross on the cheap... just keep them pumped up on the track and they will grip like crazy, and look pretty smart on those 15" rims, if not a bit diminished in size.

For 2014, I just got some 17x7" OEM Juke wheels with 235/45R17 Dunlop Direzza ZIIs. They are almost exactly the right diameter and the correct load index (94). Nice tires and they are discontinued soon so there might be some closeout deals...

09-26-2015, 07:20 PM

ugufru

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Update: Still on those 17x7s with DIIs. What a great setup that has been!

I'm down to the last wear indicator for them so I hope that's enough to end 2015 on them...