Tire load rating

[metale]

What does a higher load rating mean for handling? Stiffer sidewall? Or only how it handles heat?

I've got 205/60R15 95H tires, and they handle great. They need replacing soon tho. Should I go for 95H or 91V tires? My guess is that 95H will have better handling (if the increased load rating means stiffer sidewall) but overheat quicker.

Am I wrong?

[mryakan]

You may be confusing load rating with speed rating. The H/V are speed ratings while the 91/95 are load ratings (load indexes). The speed load rating is self explanatory (H is max 130mph, V is max 149mph) while the load rating (load index) is the max load the tires can handle and I doubt they correlate directly to handling. Higher speed rating though usually means stiffer sidewalls and better cornering ability, though I am not sure this is 100% accurate all the time.
Check this out for more info:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=35

[metale]

You may be confusing load rating with speed rating.

I do know that. But they do have to do with handling. Higher speed rating (V instead of H) means that the tire can take heat better. I just want to know what does the load rating mean to handling. Stiffer sidewalls?

[mryakan]

I do know that. But they do have to do with handling. Higher speed rating (V instead of H) means that the tire can take heat better. I just want to know what does the load rating mean to handling. Stiffer sidewalls?
Sorry, I always assume the worst to give more info, didn't mean to patronize. As I said, not sure if load rating correlates to sidewall stiffness, I have suspicion it has more to do with the whole tire design not just sidewalls, although it is not illogical to assume some the sidewalls may be stiffer. Let's hope someone clarifies.

[metale]

I would assume it means stiffer sidewalls. Stiffer sidewalls, mode ability to support wheight? Like run-flats? :) That would make my choise, as I prefer handling over resistance to overheating.

[metale]

Hey Jim, can you enlighten us?

[metale]

So I went ahead and ordered brand new yokohamas in the 95H rating. Hopefully the sidewall will be stiff enough.

I've been running mostly on 95H's for the last 6 years, so I can't go much wrong.

[Porter]

I believe load rating is inverse to speed rating. Truck tires are rated in ton-mph so higher speed rating = lower load rating. I assume the physics are the same for car tires. I am not sure but I think heat becomes the problem and the tires lose load carrying ability at higher speeds.

[metale]

I don't think that fully aplies here, as on that size (205/60R15) we've got 91H, 95H and 91V.