When changing tires, it is important to have a grasp of LT. However, most truck owners are clueless about these serial numbers and failed to make an accurate choice.Â
What Does LT Mean On A Tire? Â
Manufacturers often use Latin letters to classify their products. The answer is simply that this character sequence shows the recommended uses for light trucks. In other words, some vehicles that often utilize LT tires include light trucks, vans, heavy-duty pickups (with a payload of 1 ton or less), and SUVs.
Functionally speaking, most auto parts stores divide these tires into three categories based on their uses as follows:
- Numeric: These are the basic tires for general cargo transport, according to the weight of each specific vehicle.
- Wide Base: These are specialized products used for transporting heavy goods and trucks with trailers. We highly recommend this option for large-diameter wheel rims from 16.5 inches.
- Flotation: Rather than being reserved for special vehicles, these tires are special parts suitable for trips on loose terrain such as sand, mud, or gravel. It is oversized and wider than the rest to withstand the bulkiest cargo.
The Differences Between LT Tires And P-Metric Tires
You can find some other distinguishable characters on tires, such as P-metrics. The distinct classification shows the clear intention of the manufacturer towards different customer groups. Unfortunately, many people do not have general knowledge about these features.
P-metrics are recommended for passenger vans. The plus point of this tire is that it allows the driver to handle it gently, run smoothly, and save fuel. However, you should know that it only works well with vehicles that rarely run on muddy roads or with lots of cargo.
When it comes to LT tire meaning, it stands for superior performance with full tanks. The materials reinforcement on the sidewalls and underside of the tire helps remove sway and increase load capacity. The internal structure with steel belt, deeper tread, and thicker rubber contribute to the vehicle’s stability when carrying heavy cargo.
To sum up, P-metric and LT tires are helpful and functional, in their own special ways. Circle back to this article to know which is better for your uses, and you will be saving your van from frequent trips to the mechanic!
